Spence Hot Springs Trail

Nice down then back up trail, but despite the pleasant scenery, the springs are not worth the trip at all. Gray water and warnings of biological hazards before you leave the parking lot.

Spence Hot Springs is a beautiful trail. I live in the area. Yeah, it is pretty sad when people trash the place treating it like some commodity provided by nature that they heard about on line. My partner and I visit when we can to clean up plastic water bottles, debris and baby diapers (child-friendly) that people seem to like abandoning there. Underneath all that is an amazing landscape apart from the hot water coming out of the hillside that people like to bathe in. Wild peppermint and arugula growing there too.

This place is incredibly beautiful and serene but has been abused by people who leave trash behind. My daughter and I picked up 3 full trash bags worth of garbage off of this trail the other day so please keep it clean. Don't leave trash behind and if you see trash, pick it up!

Pools were kinda warm and the area was really trashed. Lot of broken glass, nasty clothing, dirty diapers and even a bag of dog poo in the lower pool. Pretty gross overall...

The trail head all trails brought me to was definitely longer than .3 miles with a significant incline (more than 120 feet for sure). We didn’t even make it because my friend didn’t have the right shoes on and was sliding down the trail because it was so steep. We were pretty bummed we couldn’t make it.

Hiked this in January! Trail was totally ice, but we managed to find a way up! It was totally worth it. Gorgeous views. Pools were warm but not hot which was ok because with the hot sun shining down they felt perfectly refreshing with enough warmth to keep you comfortable but not overwhelming. We had the pools all to ourselves! Highly recommend!

Did the hike as driving through. Quick easy turnoff. Nice rock formations.

Very easy and beautiful views but hot springs are luke warm at best. We took a picnic lunch and enjoyed the great views and unseasonably warm December weather but didn’t bother to even dip our feet in. Simple half mile trip is worth it for the views.

"Warm springs" at best. The area is kinda trashed too. Should not be a destination point for anyone and you may want to drive past it anyway.

Well..... went here and someone warned about how nasty it was. To be honest, it wouldn't have been terrible if someone didn't ruin it by literally taking a dump right next to the springs. Close enough that the water was lapping it up. So gross. Thank you person who has no respect.

Absolutely gorgeous! It's like sitting on the edge of the mountain, lovely warm pools to relax in. Easy and short little hike to the hot springs. The top pool is much warmer than the bottom. I noticed little fish nibbling at my feet in the bottom pool. Only thing- please take your trash!! Picked up a full garbage bag of trash thrown along the way!! Doesn't make anyone want to get into the springs or even walk the trail with trash everywhere! Keep it as you left it, or it won't be beautiful for long!

Beautiful short hike and scenery, but the springs were indeed warm, not hot.

The springs should be renamed "Luke Warm Springs". The short hike is nice and beautiful.

Great short hike to the springs

I love this one! It's easy, developed trail to free hot springs. Typically not too busy when I've gone but I hear it can get busy. A favorite!!

Awesome!!!!

The waypoint is not at the Springs or even the parking lot. Found this out the hard way. The actual trailhead is about 4.5 miles west on the same road. The hike is short and relatively easy. The springs are mostly natural with a little masonry. The closer to the spring source the warmer, that is, in the neat little cave! Sweet!

Nice trail that is very well kept and maintained. A short hike right off the road, so it is pretty constantly busy.

Slippery toward the top of the trail, but a great hike! The springs were very nice and warm-hot.

I found this trail on here and it was great. The hot springs were rather easy to get to, but it was hard to find a parking spot at the lot was filled. You can also park along the road and walk like 100 feet to the trail head. It was a relatively easy hike, steep in some places and when you get closer to the water it can become slippery. Watch out for the large flat rocks because you can slip on those. The higher pool was warmer at around 88 degrees and the lower one was about 83 degrees. The higher one has more algae and therefore more slippery. There were kids and older people swimming in the springs. Once at the springs, you can get a nice view of the mountains. When we arrived, there were about people there, they left and we were alone for a while until more people came, so it's busy off and on.

Super easy hike thanks to the new bridge and newly built parking area at the trailhead. The springs were hot, but not too hot. It was a fun easy diversion for the day.

Back in February on the eve on Valentine's Day, me and my lady, Liz few into ABQ from Houston. We got our rent car and drove through the night to one of the most special places on earth, in my opinion. We arrived at the parking area off NM 4...and I immediately was a bit disoriented. It seems they were doing construction on the parking area at this time plus the temperature was dropping below the freezing mark quickly. My sweet lady was new to this kind of stuff and I could see the "surprise and fear" in her eyes. I quickly assured her that I knew the way to the Springs and to just follow me.(yeah right). I then went...fell...down what I remembered to be the trail from 2 years ago. She asked was I alright and after composing myself said.."sure..come on down"..she made it down and we followed the appearing trail around the head of a boulder and on to the creek. There was a nice walk bridge over the rushing creek below, and we crossed quickly. After a few seconds following the trail up....we discovered the trail was showing "ice"...I went up and came sliding down to her...she went a little ways and also came sliding down into my outreaching arms...I finally decided we would parallel the trail in the deep snow and that worked. We reached the jagged rocks surrounding the steaming springs...and carefully balanced ouselves as we removed our clothes. We then slipped into the warm water...with it's lithium content and began to relax...I noticed the water was not as hot as I once remembered., so I entered the small cave where the source of the springs was slowly dripping. The water there was much warmer, so I beckoned to my lady and she waded in....we cuddled there for awhile and... it was a very romantic moment in time for Liz and I. Unfortunately Liz and I are no longer together in the real sense of the word, but we will always be together in spirit....always...RR

Great hot springs that are very beautifully made. The water was warm, not hot, at about 90 degrees (the YMCA hottubs are 104) and felt like a warm pool. Easy hike up the hill. New parking area and graded gravel trail.

Cross a babbling brook and climb up to heavenly hot baths and it is free.