Socorro Spring, Sedillo Spring

Socorro County, New Mexico · Near Socorro
34.0380°N, 106.9400°W · 5,018 ft
93°F 65°F air · Good soaking weather 5,018 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (11.1 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Socorro Spring, Sedillo Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Socorro Spring, Sedillo Spring
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.

Two named springs, Socorro and Sedillo, recorded together as a single thermal point a couple of miles from Socorro. Soaking warm, low nineties, comfortable without any cooling. No access or owner on record. USGS ran the water in 1964 and got an alkaline result with chloride, sulfate, sodium, magnesium, calcium and a little iron.

Location

Some 500 feet from a nameless road in the record, on the desert edge near Socorro at around 5,000 feet. Light snow, a dry year, warm summers. Land unit and owner are blank. The record does not say which of the two names belongs to which outlet, or if there are two outlets at all.

Water Canyon Campground is eleven miles out. Check access, because the spring is near town and likely on somebody's ground. Pick a winter month. The reading is sixty years old, and a spring this close to a town could have been altered since.

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 Socorro Spring, Sedillo Spring.

Setting
Canyon floor
Steep ground climbs away on both sides of the spring.
Highest ground nearby
247 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northwest
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from southwest to northeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
79 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 14% 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
38°
Jan
44°
Feb
54°
Mar
61°
Apr
69°
May
81°
Jun
81°
Jul
79°
Aug
72°
Sep
61°
Oct
49°
Nov
39°
Dec
Annual Precip: 9.4 in Annual Snow: 8.6 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 38°F · Water 93°F · +55° contrast
December Air 39°F · Water 93°F · +55° contrast
February Air 44°F · Water 93°F · +49° contrast
January offers 43°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
65°F
Mostly Cloudy SSW 25.0 mph 87% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 83° Low 63° Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 40% precip
Spring is +10° warmer
Wednesday 84° Low 63° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 69% precip
Spring is +9° warmer
Thursday 83° Low 61° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 58% precip
Spring is +10° warmer
Friday 83° Low 61° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 69% precip
Spring is +10° warmer
Saturday 82° Low 59° Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 44% precip
Spring is +11° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1964-01-22

The water at Socorro Spring, Sedillo Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.9).

pH 7.9 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 20 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 3 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 54 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 31 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 12 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 70 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Water Canyon Campground 11.1 mi away

This campground is located at an elevation of 6,800 feet in the Magdalena Mountains.

Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
93°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 93°F (34°C)
Avg Air Temp 61°F
Above Ambient +32°F
Warm air, warm water September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 510 ft

Hike 1 waterfall near Socorro Spring, Sedillo Spring

Looking for more outdoor adventures? Explore waterfall hikes near Socorro Spring, Sedillo Spring, New Mexico.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Socorro Spring, Sedillo Spring?
Socorro Spring, Sedillo Spring has a water temperature of 93°F (34°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Socorro Spring, Sedillo Spring located?
Socorro Spring, Sedillo Spring is located in Socorro County, New Mexico at 5,018 feet elevation, near Socorro. Coordinates: 34.0380°N, 106.9400°W.
How do I get to Socorro Spring, Sedillo Spring?
Socorro Spring, Sedillo Spring has Short Walk road access (510 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Socorro Spring, Sedillo Spring?
Yes, Water Canyon Campground is located nearby (11.1 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Socorro Spring, Sedillo Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 7.9 (slightly alkaline).
Sources: USGS NWIS