Unnamed Thermal Spring
An unnamed 80°F warm spring in Valencia County near Belen at 5,580 feet elevation. USGS measurements confirm 26.5°C with extremely high dissolved minerals: sodium at 5,290 mg/L, sulfate at 5,440 mg/L, chloride at 5,180 mg/L, calcium at 605 mg/L, and magnesium at 274 mg/L. The water sits 22.3 degrees above ambient temperature, indicating moderate geothermal input.
The spring surfaces roughly half a mile from the nearest road in the semi-arid uplands west of the Rio Grande valley near Belen. At 5,580 feet, the terrain consists of eroded mesas and shallow arroyos cut into Mesozoic and Paleozoic sedimentary rock. Sparse desert vegetation — saltbush, greasewood, and scattered juniper — covers the surrounding landscape. Annual precipitation averages 9.1 inches with 9.2 inches of snow. The Rio Grande lies to the east in its broad, irrigated floodplain.
No specific historical records document this spring. The Belen area has been continuously inhabited since pre-Columbian times, with Pueblo communities followed by Spanish colonial settlement in the 17th century. The extreme mineral content points to deep circulation through Permian evaporite beds common beneath the region. Land ownership and access status are not clearly documented in available records.
Land ownership and public access status are unclear — verify before visiting. The spring is approximately 800 meters from the nearest road across open desert terrain. The water is unsuitable for drinking or prolonged contact due to extreme salinity. Carry ample water and sun protection; summer temperatures are severe. Belen, along Interstate 25, provides the nearest services and supplies.
Is this spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking