Hot Springs
This 106°F hot spring flows along the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park at 1,838 feet elevation, running 31 degrees above ambient temperature. A short trail of roughly half a mile from Hot Springs Road provides National Park Service-managed access to this permanently protected thermal feature with historic stone bathhouse ruins.
The spring emerges at the base of steep canyon walls where the Rio Grande cuts through Cretaceous limestone, creating dramatic vertical relief. Desert vegetation including ocotillo, lechuguilla, and sotol clings to rocky slopes above the river corridor. The setting combines riparian cottonwoods along the water with Chihuahuan Desert uplands receiving just 7.3 inches of annual precipitation. Across the river, Mexican mountains rise into the southern sky. The 75°F average annual temperature creates mild winters and scorching summers in this low-elevation basin.
J.O. Langford homesteaded the site in 1909, developing a health resort that operated until the 1940s. The stone bathhouse and post office ruins remain as testament to this commercial period. Before Langford, Indigenous peoples and later Mexican settlers utilized the thermal waters. The National Park Service acquired the property when Big Bend National Park was established in 1944, preserving the cultural landscape while maintaining public access to the spring.
Visit from November through March for comfortable temperatures; summer heat exceeds 110°F. The short trail is suitable for most fitness levels but involves uneven rocky terrain. Bring water shoes for navigating the spring pool and river access. Park entry fee required. Combine with nearby Boquillas Canyon trail or Rio Grande Village campground, located 3.4 kilometers away with reservable sites.
Is Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Overnight camping trips
Overview The Rio Grande Village Campground sits near the banks of the Rio Grande, the International Boundary between the United States and Mexico. It is one of the most popular campgrounds in Big Bend National Park, especially for those traveling in large recreational vehicles. It is located close to Boquillas Canyon and Hot Springs, and serves as a launch point for visitors accessing the river or the endless miles of backcountry roads. Rio Grande Village has an outstanding view of the Sier...