Spring

Cibola County, New Mexico · Near Laguna
34.8470°N, 107.0910°W · 5,526 ft
76°F 64°F air · Good soaking weather 5,526 ft Unknown Short Walk DESG

An unnamed thermal point on Laguna Pueblo land in Cibola County, about twenty-two miles from the town of Laguna. The record gives it no name at all. Water comes up tepid, the sort that feels cool on a warm afternoon and warm on a cold one. Access on record: unknown. The land designation is tribal, which settles the question of asking first. One photo exists for it.

Location

Around four tenths of a mile on foot from a road with no name attached. Elevation is moderate. The year runs dry, with light snow and mild average temperatures. No camp is attached to this point, and no fee either. The land unit is the Laguna Pueblo.

Contact the Pueblo of Laguna before any visit; nothing on file says outsiders are allowed. The record marks midwinter as the good season, and with this little snow there is no weather objection. A 1975 sample showed alkaline water. Do not expect a soak at this temperature.

Terrain

USGS hasn't flown a detailed laser scan here yet, so this view comes from aerial photos and older elevation data.

Aerial view of the ground around Spring

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 northwest.
Highest ground nearby
241 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northwest
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
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
34°
Jan
41°
Feb
51°
Mar
58°
Apr
66°
May
79°
Jun
79°
Jul
77°
Aug
70°
Sep
58°
Oct
46°
Nov
35°
Dec
Annual Precip: 9.2 in Annual Snow: 9.7 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 34°F · Water 76°F · +42° contrast
December Air 35°F · Water 76°F · +41° contrast
February Air 41°F · Water 76°F · +35° contrast
January offers 45°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
64°F
Clear ENE 16.6 mph 100% Good soaking weather
Today 77° Low 62° Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 38% precip
Wednesday 78° Low 60° Showers And Thunderstorms 84% precip
Thursday 77° Low 60° Showers And Thunderstorms 84% precip
Friday 77° Low 58° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 55% precip
Saturday 77° Low 58° Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 30% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 1975-04-22

The water at Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 8.3). 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).

pH 8.3 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 140 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 160 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 9,400 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 6,200 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 10,000 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Where to Stay

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Mile-High Advisory 5,526 ft

Spring sits at 5,526 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
76°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 76°F (24°C)
Avg Air Temp 58°F
Above Ambient +18°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Unknown
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 0.4 mi
Land
Ownership DESG
Agency DESG
Designation Tribal Land
Unit Laguna Pueblo
Manager TRIB
Protection 4 - No known protection
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Spring?
Spring has a water temperature of 76°F (24°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Spring located?
Spring is located in Cibola County, New Mexico at 5,526 feet elevation, near Laguna. Coordinates: 34.8470°N, 107.0910°W.
How do I get to Spring?
Spring has Short Walk road access (0.4 mi from the road).
Is Spring free to visit?
Spring has Unknown access. It is managed by DESG.
What minerals are in the water at Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 8.3 (slightly alkaline).
Sources: USGS NWIS, Wikipedia