Mccauley Hot Springs

If you're passing

Is it plungeworthy?

—temperature

A natural thermal spring.

Scale30/60

Documentation14/20

Character10/20

The details

Soak: Temperature unrecorded
Area: Albuquerque
Coordinates: 35.82, -106.627

Get directions →

About Mccauley Hot Springs

Mccauley Hot Springs is a natural hot spring in New Mexico.

At that temperature it's temperature unrecorded — check current conditions and always test the water before getting in.

Plungeworthy rates Mccauley Hot Springs 5.4/10 — if you're passing. The score weighs its scale, how confidently it's mapped, and its character.

What you'll find

A CCC-era rock dam holds a broad 85–90°F warm pool in the pines above Battleship Rock — more swimming hole than scalder, with little fish that nibble your toes. Reached by a shortish climb on the East Fork Trail.

Status note: the 2026 McCauley Springs Fire closed this trail network; the closure order was set to run through August 11, 2026. Check Santa Fe NF alerts before going.

Getting there

Trailhead: Battleship Rock Trailhead, NM-4 ($5/vehicle)
Parking: Battleship Rock lot
Road: Paved
Hike: 3.5 mi round trip (moderate)
Heads up: About 1.5–2 miles each way; backpack camping allowed 400+ feet from the spring.

When to go

Late spring through fall (snow makes it a slog in winter). Post-fire, expect trail changes — verify the closure has lifted.

Rules & fees

Fee / pass: $5/vehicle at Battleship Rock
Dogs: Leashed
Camping: Backcountry rules — 400 ft from the spring
Warnings: Fire-closure status is live; no glass.

Researched from Los Alamos Reporter — fire closure order. Conditions change — verify before you drive. Been to Mccauley Hot Springs recently? Post a conditions report below.

Where it is

Before you go

The pin marks the feature, not a trailhead or a legal route in. Some sit on private land or need a real hike, and conditions change with season and rain. Check local access, don't trespass, and never enter water — hot or cold — where it isn't safe.