Healing Waters and Timeless Tranquility: A Day Trip to Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs

Soak in legendary, naturally sulfur-free mineral waters at one of the nation's oldest health resorts, a sanctuary for rejuvenation just north of Santa Fe.

For a day trip that promises pure relaxation and a connection to ancient healing traditions, venture north of Santa Fe to Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs. Deemed sacred for thousands of years and officially established as a health resort in 1868, Ojo Caliente (meaning "Hot Eye" or "Hot Springs" in Spanish) is one of the oldest natural health resorts in the United States. This unique oasis offers a serene escape where visitors can soak in a remarkable blend of geothermal mineral waters, each with its own reputed therapeutic benefits.

The history of Ojo Caliente stretches back long before its formal establishment as a spa. Ancestral Tewa-speaking Pueblo people inhabited this area for centuries, building large pueblos like Posi-ouinge ("village at the place of the green bubbling hot springs") on the mesas overlooking the springs. They considered these waters sacred and a source of healing, a belief that has endured through generations. When Spanish explorers, including Cabeza de Vaca in the 16th century, encountered the springs, they too recognized their unique properties, sometimes even associating them with the mythical Fountain of Youth. By the late 19th century, with New Mexico becoming a U.S. Territory, Antonio Joseph, the territory's first congressional representative, developed Ojo Caliente into a formal health spa, attracting visitors seeking relief and rejuvenation. The historic hotel, parts of which date back to 1917, still stands, offering a glimpse into its long legacy.

Why This Day Trip is a Must-See and Do

• Unique Mineral Waters: Ojo Caliente is globally renowned for being the only hot springs in the world with four different types of sulfur-free mineral waters:
  • Iron: Believed to be beneficial for the blood and immune system. The Iron Pool often has a natural pebble bottom where the spring bubbles up.
  • Arsenic: Traditionally thought to aid those with arthritis, stomach ulcers, and various skin conditions.
  • Soda: Considered helpful for digestion and known for its calming effects. The enclosed Soda Pool is often a designated silent soaking area.
  • Lithia: Believed to help relieve depression and aid digestion.
• Variety of Soaking Experiences: Enjoy nine communal pools filled with these mineral waters, with temperatures typically ranging from 80 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Options include the main large pool, the tranquil Lithia Pool, the historic Soda Pool, cliffside pools, and the popular seasonal Mud Pool. Private outdoor pools, some with kiva fireplaces, are also available by reservation for a more secluded experience.
• Rejuvenating Spa Treatments: The award-winning spa offers a wide array of treatments designed to complement the healing waters, including massages, facials, body wraps (like the Ojo Private Ritual Herbal Bath), and other Native-inspired therapies.
• Relaxing Atmosphere: The entire resort is designed to promote tranquility and well-being. A "whisper policy" is often in effect in soaking areas to maintain a peaceful environment.
• Hiking and Biking Trails: For those who want to combine soaking with some activity, Ojo Caliente offers miles of hiking and biking trails on its expansive property, meandering through the high desert landscape with views of the surrounding mesas and the Ojo Caliente bosque.
• Historic Charm: Experience the rustic charm of one of the country's oldest spas, with several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Five Things Most People Don't Know

1. Posi-ouinge - An Ancient City Overlooking the Springs: On the hills above Ojo Caliente lie the ruins of Posi-ouinge, a large Tewa Pueblo that was inhabited from the 1300s to the 1500s. It's believed that thousands of people once lived here, drawn by the sacred springs and fertile land. Maps for self-guided interpretive tours to the ruins are sometimes available.
2. A Fiery Volcanic Beginning: The healing waters of Ojo Caliente originate from a subterranean volcanic aquifer, their mineral content a result of passing through rock layers formed by the Valles Caldera eruptions millions of years ago – the same volcanic field that shaped Bandelier and Tent Rocks.
3. Kit Carson Was a Customer: Historic ledgers from the Ojo Caliente general store (when it was a central hub in the 1800s) show that famed frontiersman Kit Carson purchased supplies there.
4. The Only Round Adobe Barn in the U.S. (Nearby): While not on the resort property itself, the Ojo Caliente area is home to a unique structure: the Ojo Caliente Hot Springs Round Barn, built in 1924 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's a distinctive piece of local agricultural architecture.
5. Tewa Legends: Springs as Portals: According to some Tewa traditions, the springs at Ojo Caliente were considered not just places of healing but also portals or entrances to the underworld (which in Pueblo cosmology doesn't necessarily have the negative connotations of Western beliefs).

A day trip to Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs & Spa offers a perfect blend of relaxation, history, and connection to the natural healing elements of Northern New Mexico. It's an ideal way to unwind and rejuvenate after exploring the more bustling sights of Santa Fe.