Natural Hot Springs in New Mexico — Ojo Caliente 🌿♨️

I’d had Ten Thousand Waves on my travel wishlist for a while, but when I finally went to book, I realized it wasn’t actually a natural hot spring—just heated water (😅). So I started searching again and found the real deal: Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, just outside Santa Fe. The springs are located about an hour’s drive from Santa Fe (note: there’s another place in town with a similar name—make sure you’re going to the real one!). It’s literally a desert oasis—hot springs nestled right against rocky cliffs in the middle of nowhere. The contrast between desert and steaming water is surreal and magical. 🏜️💧 They offer several public mineral pools: mud (summer only), iron, arsenic, soda, and lithium. You can get a day pass to access all the public pools, and hotel guests get extra hours. If you prefer privacy, you can book a private tub in a cute little outdoor courtyard with a pre-lit Kiva fireplace (inspired by Pueblo culture). But honestly, the public pools are already amazing! 🌟 Even with iPhone’s mediocre night mode, you can see the sky full of stars ✨. Pair it with Sky Guide, and you can clearly spot Orion and Taurus! 🔭🌌 Here are some tips and reflections: ♨️ The entire resort has a whisper policy—staff will remind guests if they’re too loud. It makes the atmosphere incredibly peaceful. ♨️ Thanks to the quiet, you can really hear the subtle Indigenous music playing around the springs. Combined with a light, calming scent (like white tea candles), it feels like a full sensory experience—almost like walking through an Anthropologie store! 🕯️🎵 ♨️ Stay hydrated! Soaking too long can make you lightheaded. Always keep water nearby. ♨️ Only your head is above water, so it can get chilly. Lots of people wear beanies 🧢 while soaking! ♨️ Robes aren’t free for day visitors—you can rent one, but if you’re visiting in cooler weather, just using the resort’s towels might be warmer. Putting on a cold damp robe isn’t fun! ♨️ The hotel rooms are small but rich in Indigenous cultural touches. If that’s not your thing, a day trip is totally worth it—no need to stay overnight. ♨️ The resort has its own restaurant—the food is pretty good! I’ll write a separate review later. 🍽️ Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa 📍 50 Los Banos Dr, Ojo Caliente, NM 87549 #HotSprings #NaturalSprings #NewMexicoTravel #WellnessRetreat #DesertOasis #MineralSprings #TravelTips #SustainableLuxury #RoadTripUSA #NatureHeals