Gila Hot Springs Campground

Gila Hot Springs Campground is a small private campground in the village of Gila Hot Springs, on West Fork Road in Grant County, in the mountains of southwest New Mexico. The operator calls it an off-grid oasis: there is no electricity, generators are not allowed, and cell service may be limited or missing, so download maps before you drive. Supplies, gas, food and ice are at Doc Campbell's Post, 0.4 miles away, and the nearest ATM is in Silver City, about 1 hour 18 minutes south. The soaking is in three pools, each with a natural rock perimeter and a gravel bottom. The operator says normal pool temperature ranges between 101°F and 104°F. NOAA's thermal springs survey lists Gila Hot Springs at 151°F, a source reading, and a National Park Service geologic report for nearby Gila Cliff Dwellings describes hot water seeping out along the banks and bottom of the Gila River in this area. The New Mexico Bureau of Geology adds that a 300-foot flowing well supplies 165°F water for district heating in the village; it doesn't say which water fills the pools. The Park Service's Gila Cliff Dwellings page points visitors to the commercial pools in the village of Gila Hot Springs as an alternative to the busy backcountry springs. Day use costs $8 per person, all ages, with a 2-hour limit and no reservation. Day visitors are admitted from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., in groups of no more than six. Camping is $12 per person per night and includes the pools during the day and at night. There are twelve campsites with no hookups, composting toilets, and hot and cold potable water. Only passenger vehicles and small self-contained RVs of about 20 feet fit. Payment is cash or check only, by self-registration envelope. Suits are mandatory in the pools during daylight. After dark, clothing may be optional if everyone in the pool is comfortable with it. Glass, food and smoking aren't allowed at the pools, and alcohol isn't allowed in the pool area. The campground is pet-friendly, with a limit of two dogs per group and no pets in the pools.

Sources: gilahotspringscampground.com (1), gilahotspringscampground.com (2), gilahotspringscampground.com (3), gilahotspringscampground.com (4), nps.gov, govinfo.gov, geoinfo.nmt.edu, doi.pangaea.de

A drivable road passes within a quarter mile of Gila Hot Springs Campground in New Mexico. Community-pool development, on the operator's own site. Reported temperature on this listing is 104°F. Expect the $ entry band on this listing, camping on site is confirmed on the operator's own site and the listing records pet friendly and restrooms. Expect clothing optional after dark, on the operator's own site.