Black Rock Hot Spring

Category: Hot Springs-soakable

GPS GeoCoords: 36.530851,-105.712139

Weather Forecast

aka Hondo Hot Spring, several rock pools, 98F, low flow

Blackrock Hot Spring is New Mexico's most accessible primitive mineral spring. From the parking area at the hairpin turn above Dunn's bridge, a well-developed trail dives from the road and heads downstream. The trail descends quickly to the river, reaching the spring in less than a quarter-mile.

The pool is small, and the volume of hot water is low. The mineral water issues from the base of the thick pile of black lava in a narrow drainage in the wall of the gorge. Boulders that have tumbled down the watercourse have completely covered the spot where the water bubbles up from the surface.

Despite its low volume, the flow from the hidden spring is collected in a deep, round pool about 12 feet in diameter that will comfortably hold five or six bathers. Soft sand has accumulated on the bottom, and there are rock ledges to sit on while enjoying the pool. Don't be deceived by the warm water temperatures in the top few inches of the pool: The deepest part of the pool can be considerably cooler. A lower pool sits at river level and is generally flooded during spring runoff in March, April, and early May. During peak runoff, the river may seep into the upper pool and chill its water to near-frigid.

The pools receive heavy use because of the easy access. C/O is normal but check attitudes first.

Directions: From the Taos Plaza, go north on US Highway 64. Continue straight onto New Mexico 522 at the traffic signal where US Highway 64 turns left. Six miles past the intersection with US 64, just over a small bridge on the Rio Hondo, turn left onto the paved County Road B005. Drive slowly through the village of Arroyo Hondo. In 1 mile, the pavement ends. Cross another bridge and climb a short hill. Bear right in 0.1 miles and ignore the many side tracks as the main road snakes to the top of the hill before descending into the Rio Hondo Canyon. The road into the canyon is rough but passable by any vehicle. Cross the Rio Grande on John Dunn Bridge and continue 0.2 mile to the first hairpin turn and park off the road. Note that the road in Rio Hondo Canyon can be icy and hazardous in winter, and muddy and dangerous when wet.