189°F8,267 ftOpenShort WalkNational Park ServiceCamping nearby (2.3 mi)
Very Hot Source — Use Extreme Caution
At 189°F, the source water at Sulphur Springs is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking — always test the water temperature before entering.
File:Giggenbach Bottle.jpg — cc by-sa 4.0
Sulphur Springs delivers 189°F water inside the Valles Caldera National Preserve at 8,267 feet elevation -- dangerously hot and acidic with a pH of 1.9. Iron concentration reaches an extraordinary 92,000 micrograms per liter, and TDS measures 1,730 mg/L with sulfate dominating at 1,440 mg/L. Managed by the National Park Service with permanent protection status. A short walk of about 785 meters from Sulphur Canyon Road.
The spring occupies the floor of the Valles Caldera, a 13.7-mile-wide volcanic caldera formed by a catastrophic eruption 1.25 million years ago. At 8,267 feet, the landscape is subalpine meadow ringed by forested resurgent domes of rhyolite. Fumaroles, mud pots, and sulfur deposits surround the spring area, staining the ground yellow and white. Dense spruce-fir and mixed conifer forest covers the caldera rim. Annual snowfall reaches 53 inches, and precipitation totals 22.9 inches, sustaining lush grasslands across the caldera floor.
History of Sulphur Springs
The Valles Caldera's thermal features were used by Ancestral Puebloan peoples for mineral pigment collection. Spanish explorers documented the sulfur deposits in the 18th century, and sulfur mining operations ran intermittently into the early 20th century. The Baca Ranch privately held the caldera for decades before Congress established the Valles Caldera National Preserve in 2000. The National Park Service assumed management in 2015. The springs remain in their natural state with no bathing infrastructure.
Do not touch the water -- at 189°F with pH 1.9, it causes severe burns and chemical injury. Stay on designated trails and respect all NPS closure barriers around thermal features. Ground near vents may be thin and unstable. Visit between May and October; the road closes in winter due to heavy snowfall. San Antonio Campground (reservable, 3.7 km away) in the Santa Fe National Forest provides the nearest camping at 7,600 feet. Carry layers for rapid weather changes at high altitude.
Is Sulphur Springs worth visiting?
Best for
Observing powerful hot springs
Overnight camping trips
Mineral-rich therapeutic bathing
Not ideal for
Casual soaking
Sulphur Springs is well suited for observing powerful hot springs and overnight camping trips.
Monthly Climate
25°Jan
28°Feb
36°Mar
43°Apr
51°May
65°Jun
66°Jul
64°Aug
58°Sep
47°Oct
36°Nov
25°Dec
Annual Precip: 22.9 inAnnual Snow: 53.0 in
Best Time to Visit
JanuaryAir 25°F · Water 189°F · +164° contrast
DecemberAir 25°F · Water 189°F · +164° contrast
FebruaryAir 28°F · Water 189°F · +161° contrast
January offers 41°F more contrast than July
USGS Field Measurements
Recent Temperature
104.9°F
(40.5°C)Measured Aug 31, 1949
Water ChemistrySampled 1949-08-31
The water at Sulphur Springs is strongly acidic (pH 1.9) with 1730 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation), chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits), and iron (iron-rich springs may support circulation).
Overview
San Antonio Campground is adjacent to the San Antonio River, tucked into a forest of ponderosa pine at 7,600 feet above sea level. This popular campground is open from May through October in the Santa Fe National Forest. Visitors should be prepared for hot summer days and cool nights.
San Antonio Campground was completely rebuilt and reopened in August 2010. It is designated as a reduced impact and recycle campground.Recreation
A paved walking trail along the river provides access f...
USGS Quad: VALLE SAN ANTONIO 7.5 · PP 492: 12.0 · Circ 790: 171.0 · NOAA: 3.0 · AMS Map: ALBUQUERQUE
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Sulphur Springs?
Sulphur Springs has a water temperature of 189°F (87°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Sulphur Springs located?
Sulphur Springs is located in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico at 8,267 feet elevation, near Santa Teresa. Coordinates: 35.9080°N, 106.6150°W.
How do I get to Sulphur Springs?
Sulphur Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Sulphur Canyon Road (0.5 mi from the road).
Is Sulphur Springs free to visit?
Sulphur Springs has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near Sulphur Springs?
Yes, San Antonio Campground is located nearby (2.3 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Sulphur Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 1.9 (strongly acidic). Total dissolved solids measure 1,730 mg/L.
Is it safe to soak at Sulphur Springs?
The water at Sulphur Springs reaches 189°F, which can cause severe burns. Do not enter the source pool directly — look for cooled side pools or downstream areas where the water has cooled to a safe temperature. Always tell someone your plans before visiting remote hot springs.
Is Sulphur Springs crowded?
Sulphur Springs sees varying levels of visitors depending on the season and day of the week.
What should I bring to Sulphur Springs?
Essentials for Sulphur Springs: swimsuit, towel, water bottle, camping gear, a trash bag to pack out what you pack in. The water is over 110°F — test the temperature before entering and watch for scalding near the source.
Temperature
189°F
WarmHotBoiling
Water Temp189°F (87°C)
Avg Air Temp45°F
Above Ambient+144°F
Perfect soaking weatherMarch
Access
Open
Road AccessShort Walk
Nearest RoadSulphur Canyon Road
Distance to Road0.5 mi
Land
OwnershipFederal
AgencyNational Park Service
DesignationNational Conservation Area
UnitValles Caldera National Preserve
ManagerNational Park Service
Protection2 - Permanent protection, some use allowed
