Unnamed Thermal Spring
Black Rock Hot Spring, as mapped by OpenStreetMap, reaches 106 degrees Fahrenheit on BLM land in Taos County — a comfortable soaking temperature that has made it one of northern New Mexico's most visited thermal features. Sodium-dominant chemistry at 145 mg/L with a pH of 8.0 produces mildly alkaline, soft-feeling water. A 400-meter walk from the road leads to the spring at 6,680 feet.
The spring pools along the western rim of the Rio Grande Gorge near Arroyo Hondo, where the river has carved a basalt canyon 800 feet deep into the Taos Plateau volcanic field. Sagebrush and rabbitbrush cover the flat mesa top, dropping abruptly at the gorge edge to reveal layered columnar basalt walls. At 6,680 feet, the area receives 13.1 inches of rain and 34.1 inches of snow annually, creating distinct seasons. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains rise to over 13,000 feet to the east, framing the horizon.
Black Rock Hot Springs appear in local use records tied to the broader geothermal activity along the Rio Grande Rift in the Taos Plateau. The thermal system is associated with deep faulting along the gorge that allows heated water to rise through fractured basalt. Documented in the 1980 NOAA/NCEI inventory under BLM jurisdiction through the Taos Field Office. The springs have drawn bathers for decades, and the BLM manages the site under open public access.
The trail from the road to the spring descends steeply into the gorge — wear sturdy footwear with good ankle support and carry water for the return climb. Best soaking conditions occur fall through spring; summer crowds can be heavy. Winter access is possible but the trail becomes icy and dangerous after snow. No permit required. Las Petacas Campground sits 24 km north for overnight stays. Practice leave-no-trace ethics at this heavily used site.
Is this spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Overnight camping trips
The water at This spring is slightly alkaline (pH 8.0).
Set in a beautiful canyon quite close to Taos, there is good access to Rio Fernando de Taos for fishing.