Unnamed Thermal Spring
This unnamed spring near Placitas in Sandoval County produces 68-degree Fahrenheit water — only 11.6 degrees above ambient — placing it at the low end of thermal classification. USGS-confirmed pH of 7.4 and low chloride at 6.4 mg/L indicate clean, lightly mineralized water with a near-neutral chemistry. Roadside access sits just 89 meters from the nearest road at 5,644 feet elevation.
The spring emerges in the transitional zone where the western foothills of the Sandia Mountains meet the high desert of the Rio Grande valley. Pinon-juniper woodland gives way to open grassland at this 5,644-foot elevation, with the granite face of the Sandias rising to over 10,000 feet to the south. Annual precipitation of 11 inches and 13.2 inches of snow sustain seasonal grasses and scattered shrubs. Las Huertas Creek drains the nearby canyon, adding riparian vegetation along its corridor.
Documented in the 1980 NOAA/NCEI thermal springs inventory without a formal name. The Placitas area sits along the historic Camino Real trade route and near ancestral Pueblo sites, though no specific connection between this spring and historical use appears in available records. The nearby Las Huertas Picnic Site, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, reflects the area's long recreational use. The spring remains undeveloped.
Located near Placitas with easy roadside access, this spring works as a brief stop while exploring the Sandia Mountain foothills. Las Huertas Picnic Site, 10 km away in the Cibola National Forest, provides a CCC-era day-use area along Las Huertas Creek and is reservable. Best visited spring through fall; winter snow accumulates at this elevation. Albuquerque sits 20 miles south for full services and supplies.
Is this spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
The water at This spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.4).
Overview Las Huertas was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It is located at the northeast end of the Sandia Ranger District. It is, understandably, a favorite place for many. Las Huertas Creek meanders year round through this recreation site. Pathways and foot bridges lead over the water and through the trees to dispersed picnic tables and grills that are tucked away in the woods. The group site pavilion is a replica of the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps design. Las Huertas was a s...