Mangas Springs
Mangas Springs delivers 81 °F water at 4,760 feet elevation in Grant County, only about 19 degrees above the local annual average. Roadside access places the spring just 21 meters from McMillen Road. With a pH of 7.6 and low chloride (8 mg/L), the water is mildly thermal rather than hot. No federal land ownership or management data is recorded for this site.
The spring emerges in the broad, semi-arid basins east of Silver City in southwestern New Mexico. At 4,760 feet, the terrain consists of open grassland and scattered juniper woodland characteristic of the upper Chihuahuan Desert transition zone. The Mimbres Mountains rise to the east and the Burro Mountains to the south. Annual precipitation is just 11.5 inches with minimal snow accumulation of 6.5 inches. Mangas Creek drains the surrounding valley, and the landscape shows signs of historic ranching activity.
The name Mangas derives from Mangas Coloradas, the prominent Warm Springs Apache leader who was active in this region during the mid-1800s. The Mangas Springs area was part of the traditional territory of the Warm Springs (Chihenne) band of the Chiricahua Apache. Later settlement brought ranching to the valley. Documentation on the spring's development history is limited, and no formal recreational infrastructure appears to exist at the site.
The spring sits directly along McMillen Road, making it one of the most accessible thermal features in Grant County. The mild 81 °F temperature limits soaking potential. Silver City, about 20 miles west, provides full services. The area is hot in summer — average annual air temperature reaches 61.6 °F with arid conditions year-round. No campground is immediately adjacent, though dispersed camping options exist on surrounding public land.
Is Mangas Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
- Easy day trips
The water at Mangas Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.6).