Spence Hot Springs
Spence Hot Springs
3.5
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Bathing suits are optional as you soak away your worries in the 102 degree hot spring pools that offer soft, sandy bottoms.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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3.5
89 reviews
Excellent
27
Very good
30
Average
18
Poor
10
Terrible
4
S G
Houston, TX82 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
As noted in other reviews, the Jemez Springs area is lovely. Spence Hot Springs is not the nicest because of lots of litter. The springs are only luke warm, and I only saw dogs go in, the people who hiked up all just decided to head back down to the parking lot. The trash made me so sad I picked up one sack worth and carried it away, but still lots more around.
Written October 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann L
1 contribution
Mar 2017 • Friends
This place use to be amazing. Sadly it is now trashed, the water temperature seems questionable, and visitors treat it like a party at a public pool. 18 years ago I started visiting this place several times a year, for many years.... Winter, spring summer, fall. Yes, in the good old days, people often were naked and likely enjoying some sort of adult substance, but if so, it was done in a very responsible, relaxed manner. There was typically a combo of families, singles, clothed, and unclothed. And it was comfortable and serene. People automatically packed up trash, held quiet conversation, and respected each other's personal boundaries. I had many political conversations with complete strangers, but also had many moments of complete silence and keeing to myself. There use to be obvious steam constantly rising from the surface of the water, it was so hot. It was a spectacular way to be pampered by nature, in nature, in an easily accessible, and free way. I have watched a snow storm in those pools, with snow flakes landing on my face, while steam rose up around it. But now the land directly around the various pools is disgusting. I found several used baby diapers strewn around left in the mud, empty zip lock baggies stuck on trees and in rock crevices, countless crushed beer cans left behind..... just litter everywhere. The guests were loud and splashing around. In the past, the water was so hot that splashing around would be inconceivable. It use to be so hot that everyone could only stay still in one spot, soaking in the heat and feeling deep relaxation. All the pools use to be steaming hot. The water is now just warm. And seems like it's abused and overused, not appreciated and respected. Come on people! Pack up and haul away all your trash!!!!! Unfortunately I don't know what can be done about the water temp. I feel a sense of loss over what this place has become. Ungrateful people have trashed this spot, not realizing how fortunate they are to are to have free access to such a georgeous, wild, deeply good feeling natural hot springs.
Written April 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason V
Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States118 contributions
I can never seem to go here without seeing naked hippies in the morning, at least this last time one was a beautiful woman. Lots of stoners smoking pot and drinking beer, they were hauling out other leftover trash and cleaning up after others. There was a guy selling little glass blown pipes that said jemez on them for 5-10$ wish I'd gotten one, it would have been a super neat memento of the day trip. The springs are cooling, nowhere near as hot as they were last year. Still worth the trip, bring a lil cash and a picnic. It says no nudity but don't bring your kids, there are always naked people there.
Written March 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DallasTexasDiver
Alto, NM64 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
Its a 10 minute hike to a dirty spring that is no longer hot. Signs around the spring warn of bacteria in it. There is trash, bottles, and mucky murky water. We only put our legs in it. It wasn't even lukewarm.
Written July 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristina G
14 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
The whole area is pretty and worth spending a day hiking. This particular spot is ruined by people hanging out and leaving behind trash (dirty diapers, plastic bottles). Also dog and possible human feces line the trail. Spend your afternoon on one of the other trails in this area. The thought of getting into the filthy water made me sick to my stomach.
Written July 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
missromania2
detroit16 contributions
so I went March 29, 2015 just to see how it was like....I've read all the reviews but we decided to check it out. I went with my 1.5yr old and 5yr old. basically it's like this. from the parking lot....the hot springs is a little higher than your eye level on the mountian. so the hike is going down down down until you get to cross the bridge over the river at the bottom....then up up up and pretty steep but doable until you get to the springs. go behind the springs and there's big boulders and tall tree and flat area. there were families there even with a newborn in a carseat and 5 kids....yes teens too but no nudity....do I regret not taking my swim stuff?...oh yes....do I regret not taking water? ....even more.....Please Take Water for the hike....would definitely go again prepared! please be careful with kids...don't let go of their hands hiking the mountain side part!
Written March 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DrDude777
Houston, TX7 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
This was my very first time in a hot spring. There were three of us...a good friend of mine, my wife, and myself. When we arrived, tourists from Austin, Texas, were there...two guys and two gals, all in their twenties and all naked. My wife had worn her bikini under her clothes, but my friend and I found separate areas right in the woods and changed into our trunks.
When I first got in, I almost slipped on the slimy rock I stepped on. Beware that it is very slippery. Another step and I was in gravel that didn't seem slimy at all. Then my friend got in. He had no troubles, now that I had warned them of the slimy rocks. My wife took one step in and got grossed out from the slime. She decided not to get in, and she sat on a nearby rock outside of the spring for the remainder of the time.
The couples from Austin got out, dressed, and left. The hot water felt awesome in the twenty degree temps. The view was amazing!
The next day, only my friend and I went back and hopped into the hot water. There was an older couple there from Minnesota...both totally nude. They were very friendly, and we talked with them for awhile. When they were ready to leave, my friend was sitting right next to the only exit. As the woman was stepping up to get out, her privates were very close to his face. It was kind of awkward, but not a huge deal.
We stayed in there for hours, drinking beer, laughing, and talking. It was comfortable and very peaceful. Lots of different people came in and left. 90% of them would go completely naked, though we kept our trunks on at all times.
I share this experience in detail because it's a great place to go, but probably not a real "family" place where you would want to bring your children. They also have other hot springs in the area that we did not visit, but I hear they are more family friendly.
If you're a college guy looking to get naked with some girls, this is the perfect place to go. Or if you just want to enjoy nature naturally, this the place to go. My wife and I are going back there this month. I have two goals...to get my wife to actually get in and ignore the slime and to get my courage together and get in there nude.
By the way, there are numerous microorganisms inside hot springs, including the brain eating amoeba. They can't hurt you unless you sniff water up your nose or drink the water untreated. So keep your head and face out of the water.
When I first got in, I almost slipped on the slimy rock I stepped on. Beware that it is very slippery. Another step and I was in gravel that didn't seem slimy at all. Then my friend got in. He had no troubles, now that I had warned them of the slimy rocks. My wife took one step in and got grossed out from the slime. She decided not to get in, and she sat on a nearby rock outside of the spring for the remainder of the time.
The couples from Austin got out, dressed, and left. The hot water felt awesome in the twenty degree temps. The view was amazing!
The next day, only my friend and I went back and hopped into the hot water. There was an older couple there from Minnesota...both totally nude. They were very friendly, and we talked with them for awhile. When they were ready to leave, my friend was sitting right next to the only exit. As the woman was stepping up to get out, her privates were very close to his face. It was kind of awkward, but not a huge deal.
We stayed in there for hours, drinking beer, laughing, and talking. It was comfortable and very peaceful. Lots of different people came in and left. 90% of them would go completely naked, though we kept our trunks on at all times.
I share this experience in detail because it's a great place to go, but probably not a real "family" place where you would want to bring your children. They also have other hot springs in the area that we did not visit, but I hear they are more family friendly.
If you're a college guy looking to get naked with some girls, this is the perfect place to go. Or if you just want to enjoy nature naturally, this the place to go. My wife and I are going back there this month. I have two goals...to get my wife to actually get in and ignore the slime and to get my courage together and get in there nude.
By the way, there are numerous microorganisms inside hot springs, including the brain eating amoeba. They can't hurt you unless you sniff water up your nose or drink the water untreated. So keep your head and face out of the water.
Written November 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David S
San Antonio, TX55 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
This place used to be wonderful. The water is cooler now, pools are dirty. The Forest Service and internet have ruined the place. With all the children felt more like kiddie park. Clothing optional now? I think not with all the children. Some trash where there used to be none. I'm almost heartbroken what this place has become.
Written September 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
astroguy22
Buffalo, NY336 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
As others have mentioned, this is more aptly a "warm spring." I visited on a brisk 25 F morning in January and was the only person there. Very accessible spring, only about a 10-15 minute walk from the parking area, which you can actually see across the canyon.
The water in the upper pool was warm enough to comfortably sit in with the cold air temperature. I would guess the water temp in the upper pool was in the upper 80s F. Lower pool felt colder. Sitting at the entrance to the cave was very comfortable, this water was in the upper 90s. Felt very nice with the cold outdoor air.
Scenery was wonderful, very relaxing to sit in on a cool morning. Would definitely recommend visiting if it's not crowded. However, I can see how it wouldn't be worth it if it is more crowded. Each pool only would comfortably hold 6-8 people - they aren't that big.
Unfortunately, there was a bit of trash left at the spring. I came across about 6 empty beer cans, an empty beer box, an empty bottle of wine, and an empty liquor bottle, as well as a towel and a glove. I picked up the beer cans and carried them out in the box, unfortunately I didn't have an extra bag to take the rest. I would recommend that each visitor bring an empty shopping bag to take out their own trash, as well as any extra they can fit - this would go a long way into keeping the area clean. It's a shame that people find it acceptable to litter in such a beautiful place.
Overall, I would recommend visiting when it is less crowded - which I would guess are weekdays when the temperatures are cold/cool. Skip out on it otherwise. It's the first spring I've explored in the area but I'd imagine some of the more remote ones are nicer during the crowded times.
The water in the upper pool was warm enough to comfortably sit in with the cold air temperature. I would guess the water temp in the upper pool was in the upper 80s F. Lower pool felt colder. Sitting at the entrance to the cave was very comfortable, this water was in the upper 90s. Felt very nice with the cold outdoor air.
Scenery was wonderful, very relaxing to sit in on a cool morning. Would definitely recommend visiting if it's not crowded. However, I can see how it wouldn't be worth it if it is more crowded. Each pool only would comfortably hold 6-8 people - they aren't that big.
Unfortunately, there was a bit of trash left at the spring. I came across about 6 empty beer cans, an empty beer box, an empty bottle of wine, and an empty liquor bottle, as well as a towel and a glove. I picked up the beer cans and carried them out in the box, unfortunately I didn't have an extra bag to take the rest. I would recommend that each visitor bring an empty shopping bag to take out their own trash, as well as any extra they can fit - this would go a long way into keeping the area clean. It's a shame that people find it acceptable to litter in such a beautiful place.
Overall, I would recommend visiting when it is less crowded - which I would guess are weekdays when the temperatures are cold/cool. Skip out on it otherwise. It's the first spring I've explored in the area but I'd imagine some of the more remote ones are nicer during the crowded times.
Written January 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eduardo N
2 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
This used to be a really nice place to visit. Unfortunately, some people have no respect for the environment and just litter everywhere. Always crowded. I filled a bag with trash that I found inside and around the pools.
Written July 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the best time to head to hot spring? How early can we go?
Written October 3, 2019
How long is the hike from the parking lot to the hot spring? Also, what is the water temp like in October?
Written July 18, 2018
Approximately 0.3 miles with 100-150 feet of elevation gain. Water temperature coming from the spring (cave of the upper pool) is constant, in the low 90s. The pools themselves cool off depending on the outdoor air temperature. Upper pool is always warmer.
Written July 23, 2018
Joshua Savage
Bend, Oregon
1 contribution
What about this time of year in January? Are the springs wirth a visit?
Written January 8, 2018
This is a "natural" attraction. There is a parking lot on the same side of the road and then there is a hike about 20-30 minutes to the first pool. It switchbacks quite a bit but is not difficult. We did it when there was still some ice but should be a cake walk now.
Written May 24, 2015
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