Spence Hot Springs
Checked October 2026 · Sources
Spence Hot Springs is a wild soak in the Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico, about 89 minutes' drive from Albuquerque: 100 F water at the source (1980 survey), a 0.31-mile walk from Spence Hot Spring Trailhead, snow likely November to April.
- Wild
- Walk 0.31 mi
about 89 min
66.7 mi from Albuquerque, no traffic
Drive times computed with GraphHopper; map data OpenStreetMap contributors.
The facts
- Water
- 100 F at the source, not the poolQuoted from the NOAA Thermal Springs List, checked Oct 11, 2026 (1980 survey), entry SPENCE HOT SPRINGS
- Walk
- 0.31 miles one way from Spence Hot Spring TrailheadComputed on an OpenStreetMap foot route · start 35.84898, -106.63142
- Fee
- Not posted by the agencyChecked on the Forest Service, checked Oct 12, 2026
- Permit or reservation
- None posted by the agencyChecked on the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026
- Clothing
"Nudity is a violation of State Law and violators will be cited."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 11, 2026- Dogs
"Dogs must be leashed at all times while in the parking and hot spring areas."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 11, 2026- Snow
- Likely November to AprilComputed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasons
- Managed by
- USDA Forest Service, Santa Fe National Forest
- Last checked
- October 2026
Trail and trailhead
Spence Hot Spring Trailhead
The Forest Service says:
"Spence Hot Spring is reached from a short hike from the parking area."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026
- Distance
- 0.31 mile one wayComputed on an OpenStreetMap foot route
- Climb
- About 140 ft up and 70 ft down, one wayComputed from USGS 3DEP elevations at 15 points on our route, Oct 14, 2026 (rough)
- Start
- Spence Hot Spring Trailhead35.84898, -106.63142
Water temperature
100 F at the source, from NOAA's Thermal Springs List (1980 survey). That is where the water leaves the ground; the pool you sit in is cooler.
Quoted from the NOAA Thermal Springs List, checked Oct 11, 2026 (1980 survey), entry SPENCE HOT SPRINGS
Fees and rules
Do you have to pay to go to Spence Hot Springs?
Not posted by the agency.
Checked on the Forest Service, checked Oct 12, 2026
Do you need a permit or reservation for Spence Hot Springs?
None is posted. not posted
Checked on the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026
Clothing and dogs
"Nudity is a violation of State Law and violators will be cited."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 11, 2026
"Dogs must be leashed at all times while in the parking and hot spring areas."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 11, 2026
Seasons and winter access
Snow likely November to April at the spring.
Computed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasons
Road and gate closures: check Forest Service alerts, Santa Fe National Forest.
Before you go
- No permit or reservation is posted.
- Snow likely November to April.
- Clothing: Nudity is a violation of State Law and violators will be cited.
- Dogs: Dogs must be leashed at all times while in the parking and hot spring areas.
- Check Forest Service alerts, Santa Fe National Forest before you drive.
Getting there
Drive times from each town's center, no traffic (computed).
Both open at the start, Spence Hot Spring Trailhead, not at the pool.
Camping near Spence Hot Springs
"No glass containers, camping or campfires are permitted along the trail and at the spring. ... Day use area only; no overnight camping."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026
Nearby hot springs (6)
Questions
Is Spence Hot Springs free?
How long is the hike to Spence Hot Springs?
Is Spence Hot Springs clothing optional?
"Nudity is a violation of State Law and violators will be cited."Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 11, 2026
Can I bring my dog?
"Dogs must be leashed at all times while in the parking and hot spring areas."Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 11, 2026
Can you camp at Spence Hot Springs?
"No glass containers, camping or campfires are permitted along the trail and at the spring. ... Day use area only; no overnight camping."Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026
Sources and last checked
Page last checked October 2026 (the oldest date below).
- ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/iso: water temperatureChecked Oct 11, 2026
- fs.usda.gov/r03/santafe/recreation/spence-hot-spring-trailhead: fee (not posted), clothing, dogs, trail, campingChecked Oct 11, 2026 and Oct 12, 2026 and Oct 14, 2026
- Walk: 0.31 mi, computed on an OpenStreetMap foot route (FOSSGIS routing, foot profile) from 35.84898, -106.63142Map data OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
- Drive times from Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos: computed with GraphHopper 11.1, car profile, no trafficOpenStreetMap extract of Oct 12, 2026
- Snow months (Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr): computed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasonsMethod page explains the rule
- Climb: computed from USGS 3DEP elevations along our OpenStreetMap foot routeComputed Oct 14, 2026
- Photo: Daniel Schwen, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Checked by eye Oct 12, 2026