spence hot springs

I agree with the other posts. Easily accessible from the parking lot (which is intentionally small) but quite treacherous and slippery. The springs are only 'warm' and quite 'slimy'. Worth seeing but I wouldn't go twice.

The hike to the springs is a nice one: through the woods, over the river and up a mountain. It is not that far from the parking area but switchbacks uphill for about 15 minutes. It can be a little steep and slippery during the wet or icy months. Just take your time for the reward of a nice soak and a great view, It is not the cleanest or nicest "natural" spring I have been in and it is definitely overused. But enjoy the experience if this is your only choice in the area for an au natural experience. The springs in town are cleaner and safer if you are looking for the health and relaxation benefits.

Do not get me wrong, it only takes like 15 minutes hike from parking lot to the Hot Springs up the hill and you will get plenty of photo op. There are a cascade (actually like 3 total if you overstretch) of hot spring pools where people tend to skinny dip and also bring beers, picnic food to enjoy this free amenity. But I found it too dangerous with slippery rocks everywhere and middle pool is relatively easier. Not suitable for elderly and kids. Just imagine how you will evacuate your friend/family if you are injured in the middle of nowhere. I might just visit to hot springs in Jemez Springs proper and pay if I am bringing my family.

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.

From my first time there 35 years ago. The springs was still very popular yet the water was hot. Not parking is very limited. Which is good to keep from over population. The water temp has dropped. 90deg. Maby! Still very beautiful.

We went there early April around 11:00 AM during weekday so it is not too crowded and no nudity. It is still a bit cold up there but it was just perfect once you sit down in the warm water and enjoyed the beautiful surrounding. There were other families with children and couples. We had good conversations with people there and we did end up spending about 2 hours there. A great time was had by all.

Went with my grown daughter and the Srings are not marked (Probably to keep the amount of people down to a minimum). But there is a small parking off the side of the hwy and a railed foot path from there to the stream which is beautiful. From there it is not readily easy travel. But an easy hike (there is a difference) about 10-15 min to the small hot-water springs that maybe a handful of people could relax. But of course the stream is near, which is where we ended up, and the area is quite beautiful.

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.

I'm giving Spence almost 5 stars. 4/5 because I've never been in a hot spring outside of a Jacuzzi and it was fantastic. -1 star because there's no place to change once you're there. Its a little bit of a hike upwards to the springs once you've followed the trail down from the parking lot and made it over the creek. We didn't quite reach the top spring which is supposedly the largest and hottest at about 108 degrees. We made it to the next one down which was about 98-103. Once submerged let the hot spring relax your muscles and the minerals in the water soak in to your skin. It feels SOOO good!! About 8 of us fit in quite comfortably and we sat for a good 1 1/2 hrs or so. I slept like a baby that night. Hit Spence as late as you can so you can hit the hay ASAP afterwards. You'll wake up the next day feeling WELL rested. A word of caution: the rocks in the springs are COVERED in algae. Be careful when getting in or out. Otherwise, enjoy!!

First, the hike up to the springs can be strenuous (especially if you're like me: out of shape). Second, have your swimsuit already on, because there are no changing rooms or restrooms at the spring - it is truly wild and undeveloped.However, it is SO worth it. The water in the upper pool is nicely warm, not too hot, and the views are simply stunning. If you can, squeeze into the little cave where the water is hotter and the steam collects. It is a magical, sacred place that I hope to visit again.

Easy access and pictures do no justice to the surroundings of the spence hot springs. The entire jemez forest is a wonderland that not many know about. You most likely will end up sharing the experience with others, but still worth the effort. Trail head parking, but no direct signs indicating spence hot springs. Heading up the mountain the parking is on the right. If you hit dark canyon you've gone too far.

If you're looking for a secluded soak in a natural hot spring this is not the place. Lovely setting, beautiful spring, but very busy, even on a weekday. Come prepared to be social.

It's a 1/2 mile hike one way, down to the river and then back up again. The water was warm, not hot. The edges have been built up with stones to pool the water. The pools are not large and would probably hold no more than 8-10 people each.

My wife and I came here in March. The view is beautiful and the location is novel. The springs weren't hot but warm this time of year. Also, there were kids (locals) here on spring break drunk from a full day of hanging out there. They left a bunch of their trash and stole our motorcycle helmets which made for a freezing ride back down the mountains. These weren't the hippies everyone talks about but, rather, some skanky redneck tools. Lock your belongings in your vehicle and keep your valuables in sight and enjoy.

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.