San Francisco Hot Springs

Greenlee County, New Mexico · Near Clifton
33.2440°N, 108.8800°W · 4,640 ft
120°F 72°F air · Good soaking weather 4,640 ft Roadside
Aerial view of the ground around San Francisco Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around San Francisco Hot Springs
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

San Francisco Hot Springs, in Greenlee County about thirty miles from Clifton, comes out hot enough to need care, past the comfortable range. The road is close. Nothing on file names an owner or says whether the public can use it. No campground is listed. No photo yet.

Location

Roadside, about sixty yards from an unnamed road. Elevation is low foothill. Winter snow is light to moderate and rain is modest; the average temperature is mild. No managing agency is named, so there is nothing to tell you who looks after the ground.

Hot water, so test before you get in and keep to the cooler edges. The three coldest months get the best-season mark here, and with light snow the roads should be fine. Temperature and chemistry both trace to 1974. No campground is on file. Access is unrecorded; ask locally.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around San Francisco Hot Springs.

Setting
Valley floor
Gentle slopes rise on both sides.
Highest ground nearby
244 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
72 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 7% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
41°
Jan
46°
Feb
54°
Mar
61°
Apr
69°
May
81°
Jun
79°
Jul
78°
Aug
72°
Sep
63°
Oct
51°
Nov
41°
Dec
Annual Precip: 14.0 in Annual Snow: 10.6 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 41°F · Water 120°F · +80° contrast
December Air 41°F · Water 120°F · +79° contrast
February Air 46°F · Water 120°F · +74° contrast
January offers 41°F more contrast than June
Current Conditions
72°F
Clear ENE 20.7 mph 83% Good soaking weather
Today 81° Low 60° Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 42% precip
Spring is +39° warmer
Wednesday 81° Low 58° Showers And Thunderstorms 90% precip
Spring is +39° warmer
Thursday 82° Low 58° Rain Showers Likely 68% precip
Spring is +38° warmer
Friday 85° Low 57° Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 31% precip
Spring is +35° warmer
Saturday 85° Low 57° Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 22% precip
Spring is +35° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1974-12-05

The water at San Francisco Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3). It is notably rich in chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).

pH 7.3 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Sodium 200 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 41 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 310 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Temperature
120°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 120°F (49°C)
Avg Air Temp 61°F
Above Ambient +59°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 175 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at San Francisco Hot Springs?
San Francisco Hot Springs has a water temperature of 120°F (49°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is San Francisco Hot Springs located?
San Francisco Hot Springs is located in Greenlee County, New Mexico at 4,640 feet elevation, near Clifton. Coordinates: 33.2440°N, 108.8800°W.
How do I get to San Francisco Hot Springs?
San Francisco Hot Springs has Roadside road access (175 ft from the road).
What minerals are in the water at San Francisco Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.3 (slightly alkaline).
Is it safe to soak at San Francisco Hot Springs?
With care. At 120°F San Francisco Hot Springs is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.
Sources: USGS NWIS