Mosley Spring
Mosley Spring discharges at 68 °F in Eddy County at 3,802 feet elevation — barely 2.6 degrees above the local annual air temperature of 65.4 °F. This is essentially an ambient-temperature spring rather than a true thermal feature. It sits 27 meters from Dark Canyon Road with roadside access. High calcium (92 mg/L) and sulfate (188 mg/L) concentrations reflect dissolution of local evaporite and carbite rocks.
The spring emerges in the low Chihuahuan Desert of southeastern New Mexico along Dark Canyon, a drainage that cuts through the Guadalupe Mountains foothills toward the Pecos River valley. At 3,802 feet, the terrain is sparse — creosote bush, desert scrub, and bare limestone outcrops dominate. Annual rainfall is just 11 inches with negligible snow. Carlsbad lies to the northeast, and the Guadalupe Mountains rise to the south along the Texas border. The landscape is flat to gently rolling with exposed Permian-age sedimentary bedrock.
Documentation on Mosley Spring's history is scant. The name likely references a local ranching family. The spring occurs in a region shaped by Permian reef geology — the same formations that created Carlsbad Caverns and the Guadalupe Mountains. Water chemistry with elevated magnesium (50 mg/L) and sulfate is consistent with flow through evaporite deposits. No formal development or recreational infrastructure is documented at the site.
This is not a soaking destination — the 68 °F water temperature is ambient. Sunset Reef Campground sits about 14 km away with 11 developed sites (five RV, six tent), free of charge with a five-night limit. The campground positions visitors between Carlsbad Caverns National Park (25 minutes north) and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Summer temperatures routinely exceed 100 °F. Bring ample water and sun protection if visiting the spring site along Dark Canyon Road.
Is Mosley Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
Sunset Reef Campground is a reclaimed well pad with 11 developed campsites; five RV spaces and six tent sites. Each site has a shaded picnic table, fire pit and grill for your camping convenience with a vault toilet on site. Visitors can dry camp at this campground for a maximum of five nights for free. If on the hunt for a great place to camp while exploring the two national parks in the area, this is the place to stay! Carlsbad Caverns is a 25-minute drive (14 miles) to the north and Guada...