Gila Hot Springs, New Mexico

Gila Hot Spring Campground, New Mexico

Gila Hot Spring Campground is on a private ranch owned by the Campbell family since the 1940’s.  There are three different hot spring pools varying in temperature between 101 and 104.  This place is incredible. The campsites are nicely spaced out and we have 24 hr access to the hot springs.  As luck would have we are camped right next to this pool. If you look closely you can see Wolfgang in the background.  Hard to believe you get this amazing experience for $8 pp/per night.  We are going to be here for 2 days so more about that later. 

We are about 4 miles from the Gila Cliff Dwelling and used the opportunity to visit. Hard to believe these dwellings were last inhabited 700 years ago. 

It’s amazing that the park service lets you explore the dwellings on your own. It’s about a mile loop and up 18 flights of stairs.  We had so much fun going up and down the ladders, walking through the rooms and imaging life here in the 1300’s.  Again, we about had the place to ourselves.  

For those of you that are wondering, we did manage to find a campsite at a USFS campground the night before. We were at Iron Creek campground, which had about 8 sites. We grilled up some chicken and veggies, opened a bottle of wine and settled down to our home for the evening. 

This is our campsite tonight.  Ned put up the hammocks and the only thing we have on the agenda is relaxing in the hot springs, reading in the hammock and enjoying this super sweet campground. 

Riverbend Hot Springs, NM

campground? in New Mexico

Several years ago we stayed at this hot spring in the town of Truth or Consequences. We remembered it as one of our favorites and it did not disappoint.  We opted for a one hour soak in a private pool overlooking the Rio Grande.

We woke up this morning to the most gorgeous view.  We felt like we were in Zion! 

 This campground is truly aptly named Vista Linda (pretty view). 

This picture was taken last night at our campsite. Grill master Ned fixing up some burgers. They were delish!! 

We spent the morning in Albuquerque riding the Bosque Trail.  We followed along the Rio Grande and meandered thru some local parks. Really interesting reading about how they are trying to save the woods/bosque along this stretch of the Rio.

We explored the Old Town square established in 1706! It reminded us a lot of old Santa Fe.

I’m posting this as we head out of Truth or Consequences headed up to the mountains. Not sure we’ll have cell signal...or a campsite.  Wish us luck!  Until tomorrow... 

Jemez Hot Springs

Linda Vista Campground, Jemez, NM

Our original plan was to head for Ojo Caliente Springs in New Mexico. It’s our favorite hot spring place. Unfortunately they had a fire and are closed til next year. However, this forced us to explore a new spot in New Mexico.  And lucky us we found Jemez Hot Springs.

This little gem is located in the Jemez Mountains near the Apache Reservation. This hot spring has 4 pools all varying temperatures between 95 and 105.  We soaked for 2 hours and just about had the entire place to ourselves. (It is the most expensive of the hot springs we’ve tried so far.  They charge by the hour rather than a day use). 

Ned enjoying a fresh strawberry smoothie while soaking.

I loved the natural jade and turquoise colored waters.  The setting definitely had a zen vibe with different altars and goddesses overlooking the waters. 

Here’s some more photos of property - (Ned is hiding in one of them).

Here’s the original bath house on the property built in the late 1800’s. It was in operation and open to the public until the flood of 1941.  It was originally called “The Giggling Springs”. 

New Mexico is closed for travel to out of state visitors, unless you quarantine for 14 days or have proof of a covid test. We took a test the day before we left (it was negative) so fortunately we are allowed to visit. However, all the State Parks are closed to non New Mexico residents. That leaves us Federal Campgrounds or private ones. As luck would have it we pulled into a Forest Service campsite 4 miles from Jemez Springs.  It’s a very tiny campground and it filled up right after we arrived. Whew...we’re camped right next to the Jemez River.  I have no idea where we’ll end up tomorrow night.  We’ll still be in New Mexico and are hoping to find a campsite at another forest service campground. 

Pagosa Springs Resort & Spa

Pagosa Riverside Campground, CO

Well we’ve sure run the gamut of hot springs on this trip.  From horse troughs in a desert to a glam resort.  Today’s experience is definitely in the upscale arena, and so fun!  This resort has 24 hot spring pools, each a different temperature, situated on cliffs along the San Juan River.  It feels a bit like the disneyland of hot springs.

Ned was much braver than me!  He kept hopping between the lobster pot (111 degrees) and then going in to the river (55 degrees).  He’s crazy. 

I was enjoying doing laps in the 88 degree pool...and having drinks served poolside. Much more my style. Amazing that we had so many of the pools to ourselves for a large part of the day. 

So cool how the pools are built right into the mineral cliffs. 

Some more pics of the many, many pools. 

We stayed until past dark.  By the time we left my body felt like a wet noodle.  

Starting my day off with coffee on the San Juan River was pretty awesome too.

Another epic day on the road. 

San Juan Skyway - Million Dollar Highway

Pagosa Riverside Campground, Pagosa Springs, CO

We stayed in the hot springs until midnight last night and then went back again at 5 to watch the sunrise. This place at night time is just magical.  Starry skies, bright moon, steam coming off the pools, lighted pathways and trees, and had the place almost to ourselves.  Pure Heaven.

We soaked until noon then headed off over the San Juan Skyway.  We’ve done this drive 2 or 3 times before, but never in the fall.  We now rate this as the number one best drive we’ve ever done.  After 15 years of road trips that is saying a lot! 

Every turn on the 79 miles drive was breathtaking.  The Aspen were in full display against the blue skies.  It was surprisingly warm for a fall day, close to 80!  We climbed over several passes, the highest 11075 ft.   Once again we were amazed at the lack of guardrails on some REALLY steep drop-offs - gulp.

Looking down on the town of Ouray.  Quaint little town, 1880’s buildings and a pretty awesome looking municipal hot spring.  Great place to bring the family.

 

There are several abandoned mining towns that hug the road. 

Silverton was founded in 1876 and spared the fires that wiped out old mining towns along the way.  Today it’s a tourist town catering to skiers, ATVs, mountain bikers and sportsmen. 

Loved stopping along the way and reading about all the history in the area. This is at one of the passes. Do we look relaxed and well hydrated?? 

For the next two nights we are staying at Pagosa Riverside Campground.  We nabbed a sweet spot right on the San Juan River.  Tomorrow our plans are to spend the day at Pagosa Resort and Spa.  

Orvis Hot Springs

Orvis Hot Springs, Ridgway, CO

We are spending the next two days at Orvis Hot Springs in Ridgway, Colorado.

Full disclosure, this picture is downloaded from the internet.  It’s a clothing optional place so they are pretty strict about not bringing in any electronic devices.  You’ll have to trust  me on the description.  

This place is gorgeous. About 9 different pools with varying water temperatures, beautiful grounds, lots of flower lined pathways and little nooks tucked away everywhere.  We are camping here, but it’s a dry campground - i.e. we’re in a dirt parking lot with no amenities. The plus is that we get 24 hr. access to the entire place. (That includes hot springs, pools, showers, bathrooms, bbq grills, sauna, etc.) 

The drive from Utah to Colorado, over mountains and thru valleys and farmland was so beautiful.  Fall is in the air!

We stopped in Moab on our way out of town this morning for some breakfast burritos. Moab has the best food trucks! 

The beauty of traveling with your home is that you’re always prepared with the hot sauce😉

We’ve been killing the meals on this trip! Last night we had roasted veggies and chicken apple sausage on the grill then added some Thai curry sauce, with naan bread, of course.  

Tonight, leftovers.  

Our little slice of heaven next to a meadow. 

View from our van this evening.  Having a late dinner and then going to hit the hot springs again later this evening.  Looking forward to seeing the stars while soaking.  

The Stunning Southwest

Dead Horse Point State Park, Moab, UT

Great horseshoe view of the Colorado River at Dead Horse Point State Park.

The drive from Sterling to Moab is really beautiful. There are hardly any services for miles and instead you are just greeted with awesome canyon and cliff views.  However, nothing compared to this breathtaking view from Dead Horse Point State Park.

We did the rim hike and every turn had epic views of the canyons, sheer rock walls, hoodoos and the river.  The deep red of the sandstone made it all the more dramatic.

Yes, the hike at times took us really close to the edge.  Dead Horse Point State Park is on par with any of the National Parks.  If you’re doing the National Parks tour in Utah, (Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef,) don’t skip this state park.  In my opinion it’s the best of the bunch. 

If you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle you can explore the 100 mile dirt road in the canyon floor.  It’s recommended to allow 2 days for this adventure. We asked Wolfgang and he politely declined.  We’ve put him thru his paces enough in the last couple of days. 

We also visited Canyonlands National Park, it’s on the same road as going into Dead Horse Point State Park.  The expansive vista of the canyons, hoodoos and mountains was spectacular, but you don’t get a real view of the Colorado River.  

We’re camped at Dead Horse Point SP and when I booked the reservations back in July there was only one campsite left.  We were so pleased to get it we didn’t really look at the details.  Turns out it’s a walk-in tent site. So we’ll be sleeping in the parking lot tonight, but preparing our dinner and hanging out our walk-in site.  It’s insane how all these campgrounds are booked up this late in the year.   At least I have this view permanently edged in my brain and will definitely call on it when I need to go to my happy place.