Spence Hot Springs is a natural hot spring located 7 miles north of Jemez Springs, New Mexico, in the Jemez Mountains along State Highway 4 within the Santa Fe National Forest. The spring holds temperatures between 95°F and 109°F across three tiered pools, sits at an elevation of 6,000 feet, is free to visit, and stays open year-round.

For more natural hot springs guides across California, New Mexico, and beyond, visit CATRAVELTIMES. A short 0.7-mile trail from the paved parking lot leads straight down to the tiered soaking pools above the Jemez River.

What Is Spence Hot Springs? Quick Details

Spence Hot Springs has long served as a soaking spot for people traveling through the Jemez Valley, an area with a deep history of Puebloan use of the region’s natural mineral waters. Today the site is managed by the Santa Fe National Forest under the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), with no entry fee and no reservation system.

The three pools range from 95°F to 109°F, and the spring holds a 4.2 out of 5 visitor rating. Weekday mornings offer the best combination of light crowds and comfortable temperatures. The next section covers exactly how to find the trailhead.

How To Find Spence Hot Springs? Directions & Map

Spence Hot Springs sits at GPS coordinates 35.8495° N, 106.6298° W in the Santa Fe National Forest, about 7 miles north of Jemez Springs, NM 87025, on State Highway 4. Look for a paved parking lot on the east side of the road; there is no sign marking the spring itself. The lot holds about 7 vehicles, so early arrival helps on weekends. From Albuquerque, the drive covers roughly 55 miles. The short trail from this lot leads straight to the photo-worthy pools described below.

Spence Hot Springs Photos – Scenic Views

Photographers can capture the tiered pools cascading down the hillside, the small cave spring, steam rising against the Jemez Valley backdrop, and wide shots of the Jemez River below. Morning light and winter snow around the pools make for the most striking images.

Spence Hot Springs A Natural Escape to Calm

Spence Hot Springs Relaxation Carved by Nature

These same features shape nearly everything visitors want to know about planning a soak.

Everything You Need To Know about Spence Hot Springs

Like many primitive hot springs across the West, Spence follows a simple set of rules for guests to protect the site and the people using it.

Is Spence Hot Spring Free to Visit?

Yes. Spence Hot Springs charges no entry fee, and the Santa Fe National Forest does not require a permit for day use. The only cost is parking, which is free at the paved lot on Highway 4. This makes it one of the most budget-friendly natural hot springs in New Mexico.

Is Spence Hot Springs Open Year-Round?

Spence Hot Springs stays open all year, including winter, though snow and ice can make the 0.7-mile trail slippery. Summer weekends bring the largest crowds, while weekday mornings in spring and fall offer quieter soaking. Sturdy footwear helps year-round, since the trail crosses uneven, rocky ground.

Can You Camp Near Spence Hot Springs?

Camping and campfires are not allowed at the spring or along the trail, per Santa Fe National Forest rules. Developed campgrounds sit nearby in the Jemez Ranger District, including sites along Highway 4 south of the springs. Glass containers are also prohibited at the site.

Is Clothing Optional at Spence Hot Spring?

Nudity is illegal at Spence Hot Springs under New Mexico state law, and Forest Service rangers issue citations for violations. Swimsuits are required at all times. Visitors comparing rules at other primitive sites, such as Deep Creek Hot Springs in California, will find that clothing policies vary by state and managing agency.

What Is the Spence Hot Spring Cave?

The middle pool connects to a small cave spring reaching about 100°F. The cave fits a maximum of three people and offers the clearest, warmest water at the site. Visitors should move carefully on the wet rock, since the entrance is narrow and the footing can be slick.

Is Spence Hot Springs Safe to Soak In?

Water quality at Spence Hot Springs is not monitored, so visitors take on some risk. The Forest Service warns against getting water in the nose, since warm springs can carry Naegleria fowleri, a rare but potentially fatal parasitic amoeba. Standard soaking, without submerging the head, carries low risk.

What’s the Water Temperature & Best Time to Visit Spence Hot Springs?

Spence Hot Springs runs across three tiered pools with different temperatures. The upper source reaches up to 109°F, the cave spring holds steady around 100°F, and the lower pool settles near 95°F. Conditions shift with rainfall and season, so the springs can run slightly warmer in winter and cooler after heavy spring runoff.

Spence Hot Springs — Seasonal Pool Temperatures

Seasonal Guide

Spence Hot Springs — Pool Temperatures by Season

Santa Fe National Forest, Jemez Mountains, New Mexico

Summer

95–105°F

Early morning or evening

Warm nights, easy hiking weather.

Winter

100–109°F

Midday, after roads clear

Snow-framed pools, fewer crowds.

Spring

95–100°F

Weekday mornings

Flowing river views, mild weather.

Fall

95–105°F

Weekday afternoons

Cool air, colorful forest.

Knowing the temperature range helps visitors decide what to pack for the trail and the soak.

Things to Do at Spence Hot Springs

Beyond soaking, visitors to Spence Hot Springs can explore the surrounding Jemez Mountains, sample local food, and take in river and canyon views within a short drive of the trailhead.

Soak in the Spence Hot Springs Pools

Located 7 miles north of Jemez Springs on Highway 4, the pools carry a 4.2 Google rating and cost nothing to visit. The tiered soaking spots and cave spring make this the main draw of the trip.

Visit the Soda Dam

Located about 5 miles south of Spence Hot Springs on Highway 4, the Soda Dam is free to view. This travertine formation bridges the Jemez River with striking mineral deposits built up over thousands of years.

Eat at Los Ojos Restaurant & Saloon

Located at NM 4 & Abouselman Loop in Jemez Springs, NM 87025, this restaurant carries a 4.2 Google rating with moderate prices. Hours run 11 a.m. to midnight daily, and the menu features New Mexican dishes like chile rellenos.

Grab Pizza at Jemez Mountain Brewhouse

Located at 17691 NM-4 in Jemez Springs, the brewhouse holds a strong local following and moderate prices. Visitors pair house-brewed craft beer with wood-fired pizza after a soak, a favorite stop much like spots near Travertine Hot Springs in California.

Hike the McCauley Hot Springs Trail

Located south of Spence near Battleship Rock, this 4-mile trail leads to a separate warm spring around 90°F. It’s free to visit and offers a quieter, more strenuous alternative for a second soak.

Explore the Valles Caldera National Preserve

Located about 15 miles north of Jemez Springs on Highway 4, this preserve holds a 4.8 Google rating. Entry runs a small day-use fee, and the grassy caldera offers elk viewing and wide mountain views.

Photograph Battleship Rock

Located along Highway 4 south of Spence Hot Springs, this rock formation is free to visit and popular for river-canyon photos. It also marks a trailhead for several nearby hikes, including McCauley Hot Springs.

Browse Jemez Springs Village Shops

Located along the main stretch of Highway 4 in the village, small local shops sell pottery, jewelry, and outdoor gear. Prices vary by shop, and most are open daily with no entry fee to browse.

After a full day of soaking, hiking, and sightseeing, most visitors start thinking about where to stay the night.

Where to Stay & Eat Near Spence Hot Springs

Picking a well-located base makes it easier to fit in a soak, a meal, and a night’s rest without long drives. All details below are sourced from current Google Maps listings.

Hotels Near Spence Hot Springs

Canon Del Rio

Located at 16445 NM-4 in Jemez Springs, about 12 miles south of Spence Hot Springs, Canon Del Rio offers six private rooms with baths. It holds a 4.0 Google rating, with river-adjacent gardens as its standout feature.

Jemez Hot Springs

Located in the village of Jemez Springs, this small lodging option sits near the town’s own developed hot spring pools. Rooms accommodate 2–4 guests, with moderate pricing and a convenient base for the wider Jemez Valley.

Frontier Motel

Located along Highway 4 in Jemez Springs, Frontier Motel offers simple, budget-friendly rooms for 2 guests each. Rates typically fall under $120 a night, making it a practical, no-frills option close to the trailhead.

Hampton Inn & Suites Los Alamos White Rock

Located off Highway 4 in White Rock, about 30 miles from Spence Hot Springs, this hotel holds a 4.5 Google rating. Rooms run 130–200 a night and include free breakfast and a fitness center.

Wingate by Wyndham Los Alamos

Located in Los Alamos, roughly 25 miles from Spence Hot Springs, this hotel offers standard rooms for 2–4 guests with moderate pricing. It provides a mid-range base for combining a soak with a Los Alamos day trip.

Restaurants Near Spence Hot Springs

Los Ojos Restaurant & Saloon

Jemez Mountain Brewhouse

Located at 17691 NM-4 in Jemez Springs, NM 87025, this brewhouse holds a strong local rating with moderate prices. Hours run afternoon into evening, and the menu centers on wood-fired pizza paired with house-brewed beer.

Dave’s Burgers And More

Located in the Jemez Springs area, this casual counter serves burgers and classic American fare at budget-friendly prices. It’s a quick, simple stop for visitors heading to or from Spence Hot Springs along Highway 4.

Joe Daddy’s Grill

Located near Jemez Springs, Joe Daddy’s Grill serves grilled sandwiches and hearty plates at moderate prices. It’s a casual, family-friendly option for a meal before or after the hike to the springs.

Dave’s Hot Chicken

Part of a national chain with a location convenient to the Jemez Springs corridor, Dave’s Hot Chicken serves spicy fried chicken tenders and sliders at budget-friendly prices, a fast option for travelers short on time.

What Are People Saying About Spence Hot Springs?

Spence Hot Springs holds a 4.2 out of 5 rating on Google, with most visitors praising the tiered pools, scenic valley views, and the cave spring. Families, couples, and solo hikers rate the trail as manageable. Some reviewers note crowding on weekends, similar to comments about other popular primitive sites like Wild Willy’s Hot Springs in California.

Final Thoughts on Spence Hot Spring

Spence Hot Springs works well for visitors who want a free, scenic soak without an overnight permit or a long drive from Albuquerque or Santa Fe. Hikers comfortable with a 0.7-mile trail and some rock scrambling will enjoy the tiered pools and cave spring.

Travelers seeking privacy or a monitored, cleaned pool should look elsewhere, since crowds build fast on weekends. One detail worth remembering: there is no signage at the parking lot, so GPS coordinates matter more than road markers. Pack light, arrive early, and the trip pays off.