Recover at Black Rock Hot Springs from a long summer day exploring Taos or winter week skiing. It’s nestled along the Rio Grande in northern New Mexico.
The location of the hot springs offers a wonderful view of the river to enjoy while you soak away stress.
Primitive Hot Springs Pools near Taos
One pool is slightly warmer than the other. The pools are rock-walled with mud/pebble bottoms. The actual temperature depends on the height of the river and varies from 97° to 101° F. There also may be algae in the spring as well depending on the temperature.
If the river is not high, the cooler river water may not reach the spring. Be sure to test the temperature before jumping in. There may also only be one pool full if the river level is too low.
The Black Rock Hot Spring is fairly popular with locals and tourists, so be prepared to have company on your visit. It is also clothing optional so your companions might be sans clothing.
While the hike down is easy, it’s rocky so wear good shoes to do the walk in. The trail is not marked formally but the black rocks indicate you are on the right path. There are no facilities so you should bring any drinks and snacks you might want. It also means there is no place to change, so if you are wearing a bathing suit, change in your car.
Due to the rugged nature of the hike, consider leaving before nightfall or taking a flashlight with you. Dogs are allowed on the trail so you might run into a few on the hike or the springs.
Getting There
From Taos – Take Highway 522 North to mile 5.3. Turn west onto County Road B007. Follow this road for about 2.5 miles when the road takes a hard right. Continue on this road, staying on the left-hand side. You’ll eventually reach a narrow one-way bridge that takes you across the Hondo River, shortly after you will cross the John Dunn Bridge.
Go left after you cross the bridge, this is uphill. Park at the first switchback. Here is where you can hike down 0.3 miles to the hot springs. The drive from Taos to Black Rock Hot Springs takes about 30 minutes in total.
If you want to go on another hot spring adventure, you can also check out Manby Hot Springs, which is about a 20-minute drive from Black Rock Hot Springs.
Details
Address: Co Rd B-007, El Prado, New Mexico, 87529 (near Taos)
Season: Year-round
Cost: Free
Things to Bring:
- Swimsuit
- Good hiking shoes
- Drinks and snacks
- Flashlight
- Towel
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