Did you know that we have hot springs in Texas?
Not many, it’s true–but the few that exist are well worth a visit when exploring the Lone Star State.
Texas’ hot springs are the result of the geothermal activity along the fault lines of the Davis Mountain Range.
The mountains and canyons of West Texas are home to beautiful landscapes and a small collection of hot springs.
Most of these hot spots are in very rural areas, but the drive is absolutely worth it to visit these mineral-rich waters.
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How We Picked These Texas Hot Springs
While some articles about hot springs in Texas will include places like Krause Springs or Barton Springs, we personally don’t feel 68-70 degrees is exactly hot–more of a refreshing place to cool off on a hot Hill Country day!
All of the springs included here run between 93-133 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Best Hot Springs in Texas
Chinati Hot Springs (Marfa)
A trip to the Chihuahuan Desert is well worth the drive to get to the beautiful Chinati Hot Springs located near Marfa, Texas.
The desert blossoms in the fall and spring, making October through April some of the best months to enjoy the Hot Springs and natural venues.
The hot spring at Chinati maintains an average temperature of approximately 113 degrees Fahrenheit year-round which is great for relaxing.
An added advantage is the nearby cool pools, giving visitors the opportunity to go back and forth.
When not soaking in the springs, Chinati has biking and hiking trails with experiences for different levels of fitness.
The hot spring at Chinati is privately owned. Phone service and wifi are essentially non-existent in the area, so visitors should call ahead for both reservations and directions.
The facilities at Chinati include mini-refrigerators, A/C, and heat in every room but the updated common kitchen is shared by all.
Visitors to the springs can also stay in the nearby Marfa camping/RV rentals or the Chinati Hot Spring Campground.
Capote Springs (West Presidio County)
One of the gems of West Texas, Capote Springs is located on the western edge of Presidio County near Candelaria.
The temperature of these springs averages around 99 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
After taking a dip in these Texas hot springs, visitors can take the short hike to Capote Falls, the largest and tallest waterfall in Texas at over 175 feet.
Because of the remote region that Capote Springs is located in, there are not a lot of overnight options.
There are some spots to tent camp in the area, but most RV or cabin options will be approximately a 1-2 hour drive.
Big Bend National Park
The hot springs of Big Bend National Park are geothermal springs with a natural temperature of approximately 100-113 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
There are several trails for hiking to the springs throughout the park, combined with the natural beauty of the park, which makes for a memorable experience.
Rio Grande Village Springs
Starting just north of Rio Grande Village is a series of thermal springs which run along underground fault lines creating a stretch of hot spots for visitors to sit and relax.
The Rio Grande Village Springs run along the banks and canyons of the river and offer majestic views of the area. These are the coolest springs in the area at approximately 97 degrees Fahrenheit.
The nearby Rio Grande Village Campground offers wonderful tent camping opportunities and easy access to the hot springs.
Langford Hot Springs + Boquillas Hot Springs
Langford Hot Springs is one of the most renowned hot springs in the area.
The 105 degree Fahrenheit water with rich minerals was traditionally sought after for its alleged healing powers by both natives and early settlers.
Once the site of J.O. Langford’s stone bathhouses, the collection of springs represents the largest pools in the area.
The stone walls that still remain from the former bathhouses have created perfect gathering points and seating for modern visitors to the hot springs.
The nearby natural hot springs, outside of the tub area, are known as the Boquillas Hot Springs.
How to Find the Big Bend Hot Springs
The Hot Springs Historic District is located on Hot Spring Road.
To get to the springs does require some effort as there is not vehicle access to the springs. Instead, the springs are located halfway down a one-mile trailhead loop along the Rio Grande River.
Enjoy a relatively low-gradient hike to the springs, just make sure you take along plenty of water and wear comfortable shoes.
Tips for Visiting the Hot Springs
Bring water.
When visiting a hot spring, always make sure you bring plenty of water to drink.
Several of the places on this list are in remote areas, so make sure you have one or more bottles per person.
Staying hydrated is important, especially with the heat from the springs.
It’s also important to bring safe containers, especially not glass. Reusable bottles are ideal and can also help to keep the water cool when the sun is out.
Moisturize.
The minerals in the hot springs combined with the temperatures can dry or irritate the skin.
Make sure to be mindful if you are having any major skin reactions or if your skin is getting too dry.
A good moisturizer or aloe gel after your soak can also help to protect and maintain the skin.
Monitor your body temperature.
In general, it is recommended that individuals not spend more than 15 minutes at a time in the TX hot springs.
This recommendation is shortened for young children as the temperature of the springs can be too hot for their bodies to regulate.
No matter the age, be mindful of rising body temperatures and heart rate.
For adults, the general advice is that the heart rate should not exceed 120 beats per minute. For medical advice, please consult your doctor.
Pack a bag.
After the springs you will be tired and more relaxed, maximize this by bringing all of the supplies in a wagon or easy to carry a backpack.
Every visitor will need a towel and a good pair of water shoes for the trek.
Light, easy-to-eat snacks like granola bars, nuts, and raisins are perfect to toss into the bag or stick in a side pocket.
Bring a trash bag to collect everything for easy disposal after the visit.
Bring protective sun gear.
Whether sitting in the hot springs or making the trek to the pools, visitors need to protect themselves from the sun with a hat and sunscreen.
Slather on (the right) sunscreen.
When choosing sunscreen, keep in mind that the biodegradable kind is more environmentally friendly, and hot springs are a sensitive environment by nature.
There are a lot of minerals and salts in the hot springs which can create reactions to the chemicals in some brands of sunscreen.
Also, if the pool doesn’t have a lot of run-offs then the chemicals left behind by some sunscreens can sit and fester in the hot springs.
Just to be safe for all visitors, present and future, check your sunscreen and bring one that is friendly to the environment.
Great Information about our state and short trips for a fun weekend.