San Francisco Hot Springs
- Free
- 5 hr 42 min from Albuquerque
- Roadside
A few undeveloped pools beside the San Francisco River about 2 miles southwest of Pleasanton, reached by Trail #250 from a signed Forest Service trailhead off US 180. The trailhead is day use (dawn to dusk) with no fee. State tourism notes a second trailhead with a short, scenic hike to another soaking spot.
Gila NF reported Oct-Nov 2026 flooding in the Glenwood area (Catwalk closed); check river levels before going.
- Price
- Free
- Nearest town
- Glenwood
- From Albuquerque
- 5 hr 42 min
- Hike (one way)
- Roadside
Plan your visit
Hours & season
| Season |
|
|---|
Tickets & booking
| Price |
|
|---|---|
| Access | Free public access |
Rules
| Dogs | Yes |
|---|
On site
| Lodging | No |
|---|---|
| Land manager | USFS |
Not stated by the land manager: swimwear, ages, camping nearby.
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
930 mg/L
Moderately mineralized · Sodium–chloride (salty, brine-like water)
- pH
- 7.45
- Temp at source
- 102°F
- Lithium
- 0.31 mg/L
- Fluoride
- 1.8 mg/L
- Boron
- 0.20 mg/L
Lab analysis of the source water at a USGS sampling site, sampled 1958–1974 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
- San Francisco River
- a few primitive pools
- signed trailhead with parking
- Trail #250
Getting there
- From Albuquerque5 hr 42 min246 mi
- From Silver City1 hr 18 min57 mi
- From El Paso (ELP)4 hr 42 min220 mi
Typical driving time without traffic or snow.
| Elevation | 4,567 ft |
|---|---|
| Road |
|
| Trail | San Francisco Hot Springs Trail #250 follows the river to the spring |
| Parking |
|
Things to do near Glenwood
Catwalk Recreation Area
Suspended walkway in Whitewater Canyon near Glenwood; closed until further notice after Oct 2026 flooding.
Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary
Gila NF campground off US 180 north of Alma, certified for dark night skies.
Campgrounds
- Bighorn Campground5.5 mi
- Redstone Park13 mi
- Cosmic Campground16.4 mi
- Ben Lilly Campground19.7 mi
Trailheads
- San Francisco Hot Springs Trailhead1.4 mi
- Little Whitewater #214 Trailhead5.3 mi
- Log Canyon #808 Trailhead11.7 mi
- Sandy Point14.4 mi
Straight-line distances. Campground and trailhead data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Nearby springs
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.
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.
Lightfeather Hot Springs
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.
Turkey Creek Hot Springs: 25 mi · Jordan Hot Springs: 36 mi · Lightfeather Hot Springs: 37 mi
Sources (5)
· 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.