Gila Hot Springs! What more can I say? The Gila National Forest area, the creek running through the mountains, and the quaint small campground really make this place something special. I’m going to let you know my experience and things to do to make sure you have the best time while you’re at the campground and in the area!
Gila Hot Springs Campsite Map
Gila New Mexico Points of Interest
The check-in booth at Gila Hot Springs.
Useful Links
- http://gilahotspringscampground.com/ (reservation website)
- Gila National Forest Official Site
- Gila Cliff Dwellings Official Site
Pros
- Serene and gorgeous
- No cell service
- So relaxing and very quiet
Cons
- Isolated
- Outhouse
- No cell service
Gila Hot Springs Campground Overview
Alan and Carla Campbell operate the private Gila Hotsprings Campground. They work along with several other workers to keep the grounds clean and monitor the water temperature in each pool. You should check out their website for more information on using their contact button to set up a reservation. Also, one thing to take note is: All the workers and owners take respecting the rules very seriously and you will be asked to leave if you are loud or disrespectful of the campground. Be warned!
A panoramic photo of the pools from the middle pool looking west.
The campground is a small, isolated, river-side campground near the Gila Cliff Dwellings in southwestern New Mexico. It doesn’t have electricity, modern toilets, or site-side water spigots but what it lacks in amenities it makes up in character. You can literally expect only a campsite, picnic table, outhouse, check-in booth, drinking fountain, and 3 springs. I personally love this isolated character and prefer these types of setups on trips like this.
Be prepared for dogs. Dogs are welcome and may be roaming around the campground on or off-leash. Sammy wasn’t the only dog there but I was lucky both dogs were fine with each other. It is a nice perk to know the campground is dog-friendly. It makes it easy to visit and bring the dog.
Another great thing about the pools is after dark it becomes clothing-optional as long as you’re respectful of others’ wants in eye-shot! It was very refreshing to enjoy the pools at night while nude. You should bring a robe in order to walk between the campsites and the pools at any hour of the day or night.
The Hot Springs
The campground has 3 man-made, spring-fed pools near the Gila River. The temperature is set between 100-105°F for the pools. The hot spring’s flow is metered into each pool in order to keep the temperature correct. Watch out being too close to the rock waterfalls where the raw water emerges and flows into the pools! You will know very quickly if you’re too close because it’s so hot (about 140°F). Each pool is only a foot or two deep with a gravel bottom which makes it perfect to lean back and relax!
The hot springs each have their own character and are super unique! I call them the north, middle, and southern pool which are only about 20-30 feet away from each other but don’t feel too close for privacy. Be prepared for gravel on the bottom so water shoes may be recommended. There will also be a few bugs and plants floating around and there is an ameba warning for the warm water (amebas are found in all warm natural water) so make sure to be ready to be one with nature or keep your nose above water.
The north pool is the largest pool but lacks an awning so it is the sunniest of the pools. It also includes a small stone island in the middle. The middle pool is a middle-sized pool and doesn’t include a stone island. It does have an awning and a small stone platform under it for shade. I spent most of my time in this pool.
The southern pool was my favorite pool! It is the smallest and most intimate pool there. It also has the largest awning for maximum shade! I didn’t spend the most time in there but when I was able to get in I really enjoyed this pool because you can squeeze between the island and the wall and really relax! I also feel like it seemed to be the hottest of the pools too!
Camping
The camp sites are very primitive so be ready to boondock in whatever you bring to the camp to sleep. I was in site 9 the first night only due to scheduling conflicts so I had to move to site 3 the next day. There isn’t much to the campsites and they are very close together in some areas so be ready to be one with nature and your neighbor! Please be respectful of quiet hours and noise because a few spots may only be 20-30 feet away.
The two spots were very near the river and you can easily access that water if you need to. There is a picnic table at all the spots that I could see. There is also a stone ring for fires at all the spots. They also sell firewood at the camp station if you need any extra. They only sell two bundles per day so if you need big fires you might want to bring extra wood. There’s a lot of shade in most spots and spots 5 and 6 are the closest spots if you need immediate spring access at all times! I like spot 3 the best since I could back into the spot and had a view of the river from my truck bed!
Gila Hot Springs Rankings
Bathrooms
The outhouse at Gila Hot Springs Campground. 
The toilet in the outhouse at Gila Campground.
One star mainly because how can an outhouse be any higher than one out of 5 stars. I was lucky because the toilets were clean and didn’t smell. I’d be wary of the outhouse conditions in the middle of hot summer because some reviews said hot days can be very smelly.
Campsite
It’s not five out of five only because of no electricity at the campsites. The spots are great even without that little extra amenity.
Activities
I bring this score down mainly because of the isolation and there is only one main national attraction near, the Gila Cliff Dwellings. There is tons of hiking and you can turn left or right and see pretty awesome stuff! But when I’m at the springs, I’m there to relax!
Conclusion
What more can I say other than email the reservations email and get a spot as soon as you can! You’re going to love the placid sounds of the river and pools. You’ll enjoy the brisk mountain air. You’ll enjoy the solitude. Finally, you’re going to love the serene feeling of the 3 hot spring pools!
There are 3 man-made pools at the Gila Hotsprings campground.
Doc Campbell’s Post is a small convenience store near the campground otherwise supplies can be found in Silver City, NM, and Truth or Consequences, NM which is 25 to 50 miles away.