Soak in natural, rock-walled thermal pools along the West Fork of the Gila River. This family-owned, low-tech campground offers a quiet escape under dark New Mexico skies.
Gila Hot Springs Campground stands as a rustic sanctuary on the banks of the West Fork of the Gila River, located at 144 West Fork Road in Mimbres, roughly 40 miles north of Silver City, New Mexico. The property belongs to a historic 320-acre ranch purchased by "Doc" Campbell in the 1940s and remains family-owned, managed today by Allen and Carla Campbell. Spread across the riverbank beneath the shade of towering cottonwood trees, the campground features 12 level sites designed primarily for tent campers, camper vans, and small pop-up trailers. While the property has added Wi-Fi for guests looking to stay connected, it remains a deliberately low-tech escape devoid of electrical hookups or reliable cell service. Visitors find a quiet environment where the primary sounds are the murmur of the river and the wind through the canyon. Basic amenities are kept simple: composting toilets, a central drinking fountain fed by fresh spring water, individual picnic tables, and fire rings at each site. Guests register via a self-pay envelope system at the check-in trailer, where a whiteboard displays campsite assignments.
The centerpiece of the campground is its trio of natural, rock-walled soaking pools, which feature clean gravel bottoms and constant thermal flow. Geothermal water rises from the local source at temperatures between 147 and 154 degrees Fahrenheit, but the pools themselves are carefully regulated to maintain a comfortable range of 101 to 104 degrees. Unlike many thermal waters in the American West, this mineral-rich flow is odorless, lacking any sulfur scent, earning it the local nickname of sweet springs. Each of the three pools has its own distinct temperature and shape, allowing guests to find their preferred level of warmth. One highly specific, beloved feature on-site is a faucet shaped like a dragon that pours out scalding, 140-degree geothermal water directly from the spring. While bathing suits are strictly required during the daytime hours, the pools transition to clothing-optional after sunset, offering a quiet soak under some of the darkest night skies in North America. Day-use visitors are permitted to soak for a small fee but must depart by nightfall, leaving the pools exclusively to overnight campers.
Operating on a cash-or-check-only basis, the campground charges a modest fee of 12 dollars per person per night, which includes unlimited access to the soaking pools. Because of the remote location, visitors should stock up on cash and supplies before leaving Silver City, as the nearest ATM is over an hour's drive away. For last-minute essentials, Doc Campbell’s Post is situated just under a half-mile up the road. Opened in 1963 by Doc Campbell himself, this historic outpost offers basic groceries, camping gear, ice, and gasoline. The campground also serves as an ideal basecamp for exploring the cultural history of the region. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is located just four miles to the north, where travelers can hike into the volcanic alcoves to stand inside the preserved stone homes constructed by the Mogollon people in the late thirteenth century.
Bring plenty of cash or checks, as the campground does not accept credit cards and the nearest ATM is over an hour away in Silver City. For camp supplies, gasoline, or snacks, walk or drive a half-mile up the road to the historic Doc Campbell's Post.
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