Hot Springs

Terrell County, Texas · Near Sanderson
29.1820°N, 102.9920°W · 1,838 ft
106°F 1,838 ft Open Short Walk National Park Service Camping nearby (2.1 mi)

Hot Springs is a warm thermal site inside Big Bend National Park in Texas, a half mile walk from Hot Springs Road and open to the public. The recorded temperature is just over a hundred, comfortable for sitting in. Sanderson, the nearest town on record, is about 75 miles away. Rio Grande Village, with its campground, is about two miles off.

Half a mile from the end of Hot Springs Road, classed as a short walk. Low, under two thousand feet, with about seven inches of precipitation in a year and a trace of snow. National Park Service land in the park. The Rio Grande Village campground is the closest camping listed.

Winter is the season here. Best time on record is December through February, because the desert cooks the rest of the year. Access is open under national park rules, and Rio Grande Village is the place to camp. At the recorded temperature you get bath-warm water with no burn risk, and nothing hotter. No water chemistry has been recorded.

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 Hot Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around 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
Valley floor
Gentle slopes rise on both sides.
Highest ground nearby
183 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the north
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
70 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 6% 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
56°
Jan
62°
Feb
71°
Mar
79°
Apr
85°
May
90°
Jun
91°
Jul
90°
Aug
84°
Sep
76°
Oct
65°
Nov
57°
Dec
Annual Precip: 7.3 in Annual Snow: 0.6 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 56°F · Water 106°F · +50° contrast
December Air 57°F · Water 106°F · +49° contrast
February Air 62°F · Water 106°F · +44° contrast
January offers 34°F more contrast than August
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Rio Grande Village (Big Bend, Tx) 2.1 mi away

Overview The Rio Grande Village Campground sits near the banks of the Rio Grande, the International Boundary between the United States and Mexico. It is one of the most popular campgrounds in Big Bend National Park, especially for those traveling in large recreational vehicles. It is located close to Boquillas Canyon and Hot Springs, and serves as a launch point for visitors accessing the river or the endless miles of backcountry roads. Rio Grande Village has an outstanding view of the Sier...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
106°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 106°F (41°C)
Avg Air Temp 75°F
Above Ambient +31°F
Warm air, warm water September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Hot Springs Road
Distance to Road 0.5 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency National Park Service
Designation National Park
Unit Big Bend National Park
Manager National Park Service
Protection 1 - Permanent protection, natural state
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Hot Springs?
Hot Springs has a water temperature of 106°F (41°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Hot Springs located?
Hot Springs is located in Terrell County, Texas at 1,838 feet elevation, near Sanderson. Coordinates: 29.1820°N, 102.9920°W.
How do I get to Hot Springs?
Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Hot Springs Road (0.5 mi from the road).
Is Hot Springs free to visit?
Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near Hot Springs?
Yes, Rio Grande Village (Big Bend, Tx) is located nearby (2.1 miles away).