McCauley Hot Springs
- Soakable
- Yes
- Hike
- 2 mi each way
- Elevation
- 7,360 ft
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
McCauley Hot Springs is a primitive hot spring in Sandoval County, New Mexico, managed by USDA Forest Service (Santa Fe National Forest, Jemez Ranger District). Reaching it is a 2 mi hike each way. Soak temps are not on file yet.
Closures and warnings
Santa Fe NF (2026-07-08): Battleship Rock, Jemez Falls Trailhead, and East Fork Trail from Battleship Rock to Hwy 4 remain closed after the McCauley Springs Fire. Call Jemez RD (575) 829-3535 before going. As of September 29, 2026.
Soaking
| Development | Primitive |
|---|---|
| Soakable | Yes USFS: McCauley's Warm Spring on East Fork Trail #137 is a picnic/soak stop when the Battleship Rock approach is open. |
| Soaking allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Water type | Spring |
| Entry | Walk in |
| Current | None |
Access
| Hike | 2 mi each way |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | Battleship Rock Trailhead on NM-4 about five miles north of Jemez Springs; East Fork Trail #137 through the picnic area. |
| Parking | Paved parking at Battleship Rock Trailhead north of the picnic area; vault toilet and trail kiosk. |
| Fee | $5 per vehicle per day at Battleship Rock Trailhead (America the Beautiful passes honored) |
| Hours | Day use only at the Battleship Rock trailhead/picnic access |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Elevation | 7,360 ft |
| Seasonal closure | Battleship Rock approach and East Fork Trail from Battleship Rock to Hwy 4 closed until further notice after McCauley Springs Fire (order through 2026-08-11 unless extended; check USFS alerts) |
| Managed by | USDA Forest Service (Santa Fe National Forest, Jemez Ranger District) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Showers | No |
| Drinking water | No |
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Vault toilet at trailhead; no potable water at McCauley Warm Springs. Pack out trash; no glass on trail. |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Allowed |
| Glass | Not allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is McCauley Hot Springs open?
Santa Fe NF (2026-07-08): Battleship Rock, Jemez Falls Trailhead, and East Fork Trail from Battleship Rock to Hwy 4 remain closed after the McCauley Springs Fire. Call Jemez RD (575) 829-3535 before going. As of September 29, 2026. Seasonal closure: Battleship Rock approach and East Fork Trail from Battleship Rock to Hwy 4 closed until further notice after McCauley Springs Fire (order through 2026-08-11 unless extended; check USFS alerts). Hours: Day use only at the Battleship Rock trailhead/picnic access.
Can you soak at McCauley Hot Springs?
Yes, swimming is allowed at McCauley Hot Springs. No current is reported here.
How long is the hike to McCauley Hot Springs?
It's a 2 mi hike each way. The road in is paved. Battleship Rock Trailhead on NM-4 about five miles north of Jemez Springs; East Fork Trail #137 through the picnic area. Parking: Paved parking at Battleship Rock Trailhead north of the picnic area; vault toilet and trail kiosk.
Do you need a reservation for McCauley Hot Springs?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is McCauley Hot Springs free?
The fee is $5 per vehicle per day at Battleship Rock Trailhead (America the Beautiful passes honored).
What facilities are at McCauley Hot Springs?
Restrooms and picnic sites. No showers and drinking water. Vault toilet at trailhead; no potable water at McCauley Warm Springs. Pack out trash; no glass on trail.
What are the rules at McCauley Hot Springs?
Dogs are allowed, camping is allowed, and glass containers are not allowed.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Fishing nearby
Public land
McCauley Hot Springs is inside Santa Fe National Forest .
Just outside: Valles Caldera National Preserve (0.6 mi) .
Sources
5
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/santafe/recreation/mccauley-warm-springs (accessed September 29, 2026; backs manager / hotSpring identity, hotSpring.development / swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed / waterType)
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/santafe/recreation/battleship-rock-trailhead (accessed September 29, 2026; backs access.hikeDistanceMi / roadNote / parking, access.fee, access.hours / amenities / rules.glass / rules.camping)
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/santafe/recreation/trails/east-fork-trail-137 (accessed September 29, 2026; backs rules.dogs, hotSpring.soakable / soakableReason / waterbodyName, elevationFt)
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/santafe/newsroom/releases/temporary-closure-order-extended-mccauley-springs-fire-area (accessed September 29, 2026; backs access.seasonalClosure / hazardNote)
- https://www.jemezsprings.org/attractions/hot-springs-spas/ (accessed September 29, 2026; backs village day-use note)
More: New Mexico hot springs · hot springs near Santa Fe · hot springs near Albuquerque