Unnamed Thermal Spring
This unnamed spring in Greenlee County flows at 69 degrees Fahrenheit just 27 meters from Bitter Creek Road — functionally at the road shoulder. Its water chemistry stands out: sulfate at 1,500 mg/L and calcium at 540 mg/L produce heavily mineralized, likely mineral-encrusting water. At just 5.8 degrees above ambient, the thermal signal is barely detectable.
At 4,780 feet along Bitter Creek in the far eastern Arizona borderlands near Clifton, the spring occupies a narrow desert valley cut through Tertiary volcanic rock. Mesquite, catclaw acacia, and desert willow line the intermittent drainages while bare rock and sparse grasses cover the hillsides. Annual rainfall of 11.2 inches and 5.3 inches of snow keep the landscape dry and exposed. The Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area lies nearby along the Gila River, where cottonwood galleries mark permanent water.
Recorded in the 1980 NOAA/NCEI thermal springs inventory without a formal name. The spring's extreme sulfate and calcium concentrations suggest water passing through gypsum and anhydrite deposits common in the region's Paleozoic and Tertiary sedimentary units. Despite its roadside location near the historic copper mining town of Clifton, no specific development or use history appears in available records. Clifton's mining heritage dates to the 1870s.
The spring sits directly beside Bitter Creek Road, requiring no hiking — simply pull over. Water temperature of 69 degrees and heavy mineral content make this a geological curiosity rather than a soaking destination. Owl Creek Campground in the Gila Box Riparian NCA, 27 km away, provides seven sites with tables, grills, and ramadas but no water — a 14-day stay limit applies. The Black Hills Back Country Byway passes through the area for a scenic driving loop.
Is this spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
Located in the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area in Arizona, Owl Creek Campground has seven campsites, picnic tables, grills, ramadas, trash receptacles, and restroom facilities available to make your stay more enjoyable. There is no potable water available at the campground. Three of the campsites are pull-through sites, and four are pull-in sites, making the campground suitable for trailers and RVS. The campground is a stop on the Black Hills Back Country Byway, and it is also j...