A number of hot springs occur within the boundaries of the Gila National Forest. The temperature of the water in each spring varies as well as the size of the pool(s) formed by the spring. Often the springs occur in close proximity to streams and rivers. These areas are fragile and can be easily damaged through overuse. Please treat the springs and pools with care so that others may enjoy them in the future.
Numerous hotsprings occur in the Forest. The more well known ones are listed below.
Turkey Creek Hotsprings
Turkey Creek on the southern part of the forest offers hot springs.These are located approximately 4 miles from the trailhead on Trail 155 and about 1.5 miles from the point where the trails cuts up Skeleton Canyon and rims to Sycamore Canyon. It should be noted that there is no maintained trail to the hot springs, and extensive wading and bouldering is necessary. The springs cannot be reached with livestock. Hikers are asked to be especially conscious of packing out trash.
Middle Fork Hotsprings
Middle Fork Hot Springs are located a half mile from the Gila Visitor's Center up the Middle Fork of the Gila River on Trail 157. The round-trip requires four river crossings, with an average water level of about knee deep. To reach the trailhead, go to the far end of the Visitor Center's parking lot and turn right. The trailhead parking area is a short distance up the hill, on the left. Walk down the road beyond the gate to the bottom of the hill. The main trail continues towards the canyon, crossing the river in just a short distance. The hot springs are on the right (east) side of the canyon, beyond the second crossing. A number of shallow, muddy pools have been dug next to the river to cool the hot water, which comes out at over 130 degrees F.
Jordon Hotsprings
Jordon Hot Springs are located next to the Middle Fork of the Gila River, about eight miles upstream from the Visitor's Center. They are not as hot as other wilderness hot springs. You can reach them by two routes (which connect into a loop):
Via the Middle Fork (six miles one way): Park at the TJ Corral trailhead, (Trail 157), just north of the Visitor Center. Follow the trail past the locked gate and straight upstream into the canyon. The trail follows the river for six miles, until its junction with the trail descending from Little Bear Canyon. See the next paragraph for details beyond this point. There will be approximately 50 river crossings on this route.
Via Little Bear Canyon (six miles one way): Park at the TJ Corral trailhead, one mile from the Visitor Center on the road to the Cliff Dwellings. Take Trail 729 and follow the signs to "Middle Fork". The trail climbs gradually to the junction with the Meadows Trail (Trail 164, approximately 2 miles from TJ), continues to the top of the divide between the West and Middle Forks, and then descends through Little Bear Canyon to the Middle Fork of the Gila (another 2 miles). Little Bear Canyon is very narrow in places. DO NOT ENTER THE CANYON DURING FLASH FLOOD WEATHER. Immediately cross the Middle Fork and head upstream. Including this first crossing, there will be 15 river crossings before you reach the hot springs. The springs are on the right (northeast) side of the canyon, just beyond and above a marshy area with obvious seepage. It is about two miles to the hot springs from the junction of Little Bear Canyon and the Middle Fork.
San Francisco Hotsprings
These springs are located near Glenwood. Please contact the Glenwood Ranger District for more information.
Text and photos courtesy of the Gila National Forest ans US Forest Service.
