Verde Hot Springs
Yavapai County, Arizona
Verde Hot Springs sits within a quarter mile of Childs, in Yavapai County, Arizona. Described as an undeveloped backcountry pool on the operator's own site. NOAA's survey lists 104°F at the vent (ideal soak). Access is priced as free and the amenities list is empty in our data. Nothing we hold states the clothing policy, so ask before you go.
Source: NOAA thermal springs survey — VERDE HOT SPRINGS, 0.00 mi
At a glance
Water temp
100–104°F — the classic hot-spring range
NOAA thermal springs survey — VERDE HOT SPRINGS, 0.00 mi
Survey-measured
Road required
High clearance
Verified
Getting there
Hike-In
Verified
Clothing
Unverified
Unverified
Camping on site
Not indicated
Unverified
Cell service
Assume none
Information verified: — roads and policies change without notice.
Conditions at the spring
What we can actually confirm
Every attribute shows its source. Where nothing confirms it, we say so rather than guess.
Clothing policy
Unverified
Vehicle needed
High Clearance
Getting to the water
Hike-In
Camping on site
Not indicated
Development
Primitive/Backcountry
The water
Tips before you go
Practical notes from operators, land managers and published sources — plus reviews written here.
Coconino National Forest's Red Rock Ranger District manages the Childs Dispersed Camping Area, which is the way in. From Camp Verde, take Highway 260 about 6.8 miles to Forest Road 708, then Forest Road 502 south for 6 miles. The Forest Service calls FR 502 a very bad road and says it is usually muddy after rain. High clearance is highly recommended, and four-wheel drive may help. Camping at Childs is free, with a 14-day stay limit, a vault toilet, and no potable water or garbage service.
From Childs, the Forest Service describes a short hike upstream and a wade to the ruins of a once-famous resort on the Verde River. A secondary guide places those ruins on Prescott National Forest and estimates about a mile each way. This listing does not treat that forest boundary as confirmed: the access site is Coconino, and the spring sits on the west bank. NOAA measured the vent here at 104°F.
A joint Coconino, Prescott, and Tonto order, in effect through December 1, 2028, restricts campfires and requires a portable toilet for overnight trips by water along the Verde Wild and Scenic River corridor, which includes this latitude. The December 1 to June 30 entry closure is only the Ladders bald eagle area, from Verde Falls downstream to Sycamore Canyon, upstream of these springs. People recreating solely inside the Childs Dispersed Camping Area are exempt. Check current forest alerts before you go.
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What to pack for Verde Hot Springs →
Contact & location
Address: Forest Road 502, Childs Dispersed Camping Area, Yavapai County, AZ
Keep this page honest
Road and closure status for Verde Hot Springs is the fastest-decaying fact on this page. If something has changed on the ground, tell us and we will re-check it.