Lightfeather Hot Springs
- Free
- 5 hr 55 min from Albuquerque
- 0.75 mi hike
A hot spring that pulses from the base of a hill into the Middle Fork of the Gila, about three-quarters of a mile up Trail 157 from the Gila Visitor Center. The source is scalding, about 130-140°F according to the NPS, so visitors soak in rock-lined pools in the river where the hot water mixes with river water. The short walk includes several river crossings.
Gila NF reported high flows and flood closures in Oct 2026; check river levels before river crossings.
- Price
- Free
- Nearest town
- Gila Hot Springs
- From Albuquerque
- 5 hr 55 min
- Hike (one way)
- 0.75 mi
Plan your visit
Hours & season
| Season |
|
|---|
Tickets & booking
| Price |
|
|---|---|
| Access | Free public access |
On site
| Lodging | No |
|---|---|
| Camping nearby | Yes |
| Land manager | USFS |
Not stated by the land manager: swimwear, ages, dogs.
Soak responsibly
- Pack out everything, including food scraps and toilet paper. Use WAG bags where required.
- No soap, shampoo or sunscreen in the pools; rinse away from the water.
- Check permits and closures with USFS before you go.
- Keep groups small and give others space. Respect posted dog and camping rules.
Water temperature
This venue doesn't publish pool temperatures.
Mineral profile
Total dissolved minerals
488 mg/L
Lightly mineralized
- pH
- 8
- Temp at source
- 145°F
- Lithium
- 995 mg/L
- Boron
- 360 mg/L
- Iron
- 186 mg/L
Lab analysis of the source water at a USGS sampling site, sampled 1976 by the USGS and partners (data). Pool water may be cooled, mixed or treated, and spring chemistry is generally stable over decades. We report measurements only; we don't make health claims.
What's here
- Gila Wilderness
- Middle Fork of the Gila River
- visitor-built rock pools in the river
- scalding source (about 130-149°F)
- multiple river crossings
Getting there
- From Albuquerque5 hr 55 min258 mi
- From Silver City1 hr 28 min44 mi
- From El Paso (ELP)4 hr 43 min203 mi
Typical driving time without traffic or snow, to the closest road point; add the hike.
| Elevation | 5,675 ft |
|---|---|
| Road |
|
| Hike | 0.75 mi one way |
| Trail |
|
| Parking |
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Things to do near Gila Hot Springs
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Mogollon cliff dwellings at the end of NM 15, reached by a 1-mile loop trail.
Gila Visitor Center
Forest Service/NPS visitor center near the Middle Fork trailhead; check trail and river conditions here.
Campgrounds
- Lower Scorpion Campground1.3 mi
- Upper Scorpion Campground1.5 mi
- Gila Hot Springs Campground3.1 mi
- Forks Campground3.8 mi
Trailheads
- Mid Fork0.6 mi
- TJ Corral Trailhead1 mi
- Woody's Corral1.1 mi
- Gila Cliff Dwellings Trailhead1.7 mi
Straight-line distances. Campground and trailhead data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Nearby springs
Gila Hot Springs Ranch
A family-run ranch in the hamlet of Gila Hot Springs, 4 miles south of Gila Cliff Dwellings, with apartments, a historic cabin, an RV park and tent sites. The ranch has a natural hot springs jacuzzi, and its lodgings and RV hookups are piped with hot spring water. NM 15 from Silver City is about 2 hours of winding road; rigs over 20 ft should use NM 35.
Jordan Hot Springs
A warm spring pool about 20 feet across and 3 feet deep at roughly 90-94°F, deep in the Gila Wilderness. It is about 7 miles one way from the TJ Corral trailhead via Little Bear Canyon, or 8.5 miles up the Middle Fork, with many river crossings either way. The NPS recommends it as an overnight trip and notes it is crowded at busy times such as spring break.
Turkey Creek Hot Springs
Springs deep in the Gila Wilderness that reach about 165°F at the source and are cooled by Turkey Creek. State tourism says rock-lined pools are built here but often wash out, and a larger swimming hole with warm seepage gives a more reliable soak. Getting there takes a tough drive and a hike, and it is well known, so expect company.
Gila Hot Springs Ranch: 3 mi · Jordan Hot Springs: 5 mi · Turkey Creek Hot Springs: 17 mi
Sources (7)
· checked November 2026
Prices, hours and rules are checked against the official site and land-agency pages. Spot something out of date? Let us know.