San Ysidro Hot Springs

Sandoval County, New Mexico · Near Jemez Pueblo
35.5400°N, 106.8540°W · 5,612 ft
85°F 63°F air · Good soaking weather 5,612 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (14.2 mi)

The striking thing about San Ysidro Hot Springs is the water chemistry. It is a tepid spring in Sandoval County, about eight miles from Jemez Pueblo. The dissolved-solids figure is very high, with iron among the listed minerals, so this is closer to brine than to bathwater. Owner unknown, access unknown; that is all the record gives. There is a photo on record.

Location

From a road the record calls North Access, figure a third of a mile on foot. Elevation is moderate. Rain is scarce here and winter snow is light; the average temperature is mild. Vista Linda Campground, around fourteen miles away, is the camp the record names. The managing agency is blank.

Winter is the listed season, and snow is light enough that the roads stay open. The water is mineral-heavy and the sample is from 1974, so take every figure as an old reading. The temperature sits on the cool side of warm. Ownership is unconfirmed, so check before walking in. Camp at Vista Linda if you need a base.

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 Ysidro Hot Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around San Ysidro Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around San Ysidro 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.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the east.
Highest ground nearby
211 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the east
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from west to east, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
93 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 37% 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
31°
Jan
37°
Feb
47°
Mar
55°
Apr
63°
May
76°
Jun
78°
Jul
76°
Aug
68°
Sep
56°
Oct
43°
Nov
32°
Dec
Annual Precip: 9.4 in Annual Snow: 14.6 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 31°F · Water 85°F · +54° contrast
December Air 32°F · Water 85°F · +53° contrast
February Air 37°F · Water 85°F · +48° contrast
January offers 46°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
63°F
W 16.6 mph 88% Good soaking weather
Today 80° Low 58° Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 27% precip
Spring is +5° warmer
Wednesday 79° Low 57° Showers And Thunderstorms 87% precip
Spring is +6° warmer
Thursday 78° Low 56° Rain Showers 90% precip
Spring is +7° warmer
Friday 80° Low 54° Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 53% precip
Spring is +5° warmer
Saturday 81° Low 53° Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 17% precip
Spring is +4° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1974-12-20

The water at San Ysidro Hot Springs contains 9490 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health), magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), and sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration).

Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 390 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 65 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 3,000 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 2,600 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 2,400 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 420 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Vista Linda Campground 14.2 mi away

Overview Vista Linda Campground is a first come, first serve campground in the San Diego Canyon on the Jemez National Recreation Area. There are thirteen sites throughout the campground. Potable water and vault toilets are provided amenities. Each campsite has picnic tables, a fire ring, and a charcoal pedestal. Sites with shad features are available; not all sites provide shade features.  Recreation Vista Linda Campground is one of five developed campgrounds in the Jemez National Recreation...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 5,612 ft

San Ysidro Hot Springs sits at 5,612 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 22% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
85°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 85°F (29°C)
Avg Air Temp 55°F
Above Ambient +30°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road North Access
Distance to Road 0.3 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at San Ysidro Hot Springs?
San Ysidro Hot Springs has a water temperature of 85°F (29°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is San Ysidro Hot Springs located?
San Ysidro Hot Springs is located in Sandoval County, New Mexico at 5,612 feet elevation, near Jemez Pueblo. Coordinates: 35.5400°N, 106.8540°W.
How do I get to San Ysidro Hot Springs?
San Ysidro Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being North Access (0.3 mi from the road).
Can I camp near San Ysidro Hot Springs?
Yes, Vista Linda Campground is located nearby (14.2 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at San Ysidro Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. Total dissolved solids measure 9,490 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS