Faywood Hot Springs offers a cute, secluded, well-maintained yet rustic multi-pool geothermal resort in southwestern New Mexico that caters to both those who want to soak up minerals in the nude and those who feel more comfortable doing so in a bathing suit – and all just a stone’s throw from City of Rocks State Park.
| Address | 165 Highway 61, Faywood, New Mexico |
| Location | Faywood, New Mexico |
| Open | 11am – 8pm |
| Clothing | Optional |
| Road Access | Easy |
| Water Temperature | 102 – 107°F |
| Admission | $36+ |
What To Expect
The rustic Faywood Hot Springs resort offers four private 102 – 107°F hot mineral water pools for 4-10 people, which you can rent by the hour, each around 3 feet deep and with plenty of seating: The Big Dipper, kept around 102°F, the 8-person Blue Moon (105°F), the Watsu I, kept at 107°F, which accommodates up to 10, and the Jalapeno, a small 4-person tub you can adjust to taste! Aside from the Jalapeno, which is a fiberglass tub, the private pools are all man-made, stone-surround cement tubs fenced off for privacy, with New Mexico vegetation and wood to compliment that “back to nature” feel.
There is also a larger group pool for around 25 people, with its own bathroom, showers, changing room, tables and chairs.
For overnight guests, three communal pools (clothing-optional and clothing required) are available for unlimited use.
All pools are routinely drained and cleaned, so we recommend you call ahead if you have a preference. The temperature of the pools is checked regularly throughout the day.
What we love here are the peacocks strolling freely through the property, and the chance to stargaze if you’ve booked an overnight stay- easy to do as there is no light pollution at Faywood, so the stars are beautifully vivid!
Admission: $40/hour.
“We strive to have a comfortable and peaceful place for guests to unwind.”
– Faywood Management.
Their Visitor’s Center offers a hot beverages bar, a convenience store and a gift shop to bag yourself some local treats.
About The Source
The hot mineral-packed water supplying Faywood Hot Springs flows from an opening in the top of a mound called the “tufa.” The tufa dome was created over centuries from gallons of mineral water deposits building up on the desert floor, a remnant of the extremely violent volcanic activity that occurred in the area when the nearby City of Rocks State Park was formed.
Interesting History
For centuries, this special place has pulled many to partake of its healing waters – evidenced by man-made bathing bowls cut into the tufa dome. From prehistoric peoples, Spanish explorers, soldiers and miners, to today’s health-seekers and sportsmen, many have found some relaxation here.
Pottery and other artifacts have been found in the area proving the people of the Mimbres pueblos bathed here, as did the Apaches. The first western visitors to the hot springs are thought to have been Celts, evidenced by the Ogam (Celtic writing) petroglyphs found nearby.
In 1851, Boundary Commissioner John Bartlett visited the hot springs (then known as “Ojo Caliente”) and wrote about it, and soon they became a popular stop for travelers heading to California.
A. Kuhne and Billy Watts built a “House of Accommodations” and bath house there in 1861 to host those traveling on stage lines Catlett’s and Frazer’s.
Then, at the close of the Civil War, the Mastin family took over the property and began to produce vegetable and dairy products to sell to their guests.
In 1876, Richard and Mary Hudson bought and expanded the hot springs following Richard’s water-fueled recovery from the gout there. One of their later patients was Mrs. William Antrim, mother of Henry McCarthy “Billy the Kid”.
At the turn of the century, a hardware merchant and flour mill operator from Minnesota, Tom McDermott, had his stomach ulcers cured by the water. Inspired, he bought the property with two Minnesota friends, J.C. Fay and William Lockwood, (whose names were combined to form a new name, “Faywood”).
You can read more about the property and its development on the Faywood website, or ask their staff to tell you more when you go!
How To Get There
Faywood Hot Springs is 30.9 miles (38 minutes) south-east of Silver City, New Mexico. Head west out of Silver City on the US-180 E. Turn onto the NM-61 N. Your destination is two miles along, on your left.
Can I Stay There?
Absolutely – and we recommend it! Faywood Hot Springs offers a selection of cute, clean and cool cabins, tent sites for camping, and both pull through and back-in RV sites with full hookups.
Note – cabins can only be booked with a minimum two-night stay outside of summer (June-September) hours, while the Casita and Adobe cottage requirements vary depending on the period- check with management before you try and book.
Cabin check in: 4pm – 8pm.
RV check in: 12pm.
You can get there as early as 12pm, check in and enjoy the resort until your cabin keys are available at 4pm.
Check out: 11am.
The camping spots are nicely spaced, with vegetation and bird-filled trees affording privacy and wind breakers. You get electricity, water, a firepit, a picnic table and a clothes line. The restrooms are just a short walk away, as are the hot springs.
Accommodation Rates
| Dry camping (no hookup) (2 people) | $45 |
| RV 30 AMP full hookup (2 people) | $55 |
| RV 50 AMP full hookup (2 people) | $65 |
| Pets | $5 |
| Additional guest (adult/child) | $24/$15 |
| Cabins and casitas | $77 – $160 |
Note – weekly and monthly rentals are also available. See their website for details.
What Else Can I Do In The Area?
Explore the unique geology of Rockhound State Park within the embrace of the Little Florida Mountains, perfect for hiking, picnicking, bird-watching and wildflower appreciation. There are also peaceful campgrounds there.
City of Rocks State Park is one square mile of “wow”! The “city” is made up of large, sculptured rock columns rising up to 40 feet, separated by pathways that look just like city streets. The columns were first formed some 34.9 million years ago when a huge volcano erupted, after which they eroded over time to the shapes you see today. Nature is a wonder!
Gila Cliff Dwellings at the Gila National Forest take you back hundreds of years to the remains of the agricultural Mogollon (Southern Ancestral Pueblo) settlement. On your tour there, you’ll see the pottery they crafted and the homes they built and raised children in.
Looking for more hot springs in New Mexico? We compiled great lists of the state’s best free and natural hot springs, as well as New Mexico’s best commercial mineral water offerings. Don’t miss out on your next soak!
Frequently Asked Questions
Faywood Hot Springs is a 38-minute drive south-west of Silver City, New Mexico.
The drive from Albuquerque to Faywood Hot Springs is 257 miles and will take on average 3 hours and 45 minutes.
There are clothing-optional and clothing required pools (and camping areas) at Faywood Hot Springs. You can take your pick – everyone there tends to be friendly and welcoming to individual tastes.
Disclaimer
While we at Traxplorio do our very best to give you the latest information about these hot springs sites, life happens, weather happens, and property owners happen. We always recommend you go to the official hot springs’ web page and/or the relevant state authority page to check conditions, times, and prices (where relevant) before you head out. Thanks for understanding, and enjoy your soak!
