Recently, my bestie, Bee, and I took a much-needed road trip from Colorado Springs to Ojo Caliente for a good soak. We committed to a weekend in New Mexico going to the Meow Wolf, and also getting our fill of a renowned mineral hot springs.
What is Ojo Caliente?
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa is like a little oasis in a place you think would be just straight up deserty and hot.
It’s not a long drive from Colorado Springs to Ojo Caliente, but it was a beautiful one. The closer you get to Ojo, the more luxurious your surroundings become.
At one point I said out loud that this area looked a lot like what I imagined Ireland would look like (I’ve never been, so that may be a bold statement).
Of course, Bee and I fell in love with the place. And, of course, no time spent there was long enough. So what did we love so much about it? Here’s what I have to say about it.
1. Only Five Hours Away From Home
It’s great getting to take a short drive away from home without really feeling like you’re away from home. From Colorado Springs, the drive really isn’t too bad.
You get to pass by the glorious Spanish Peaks along the way and cross of the Rio Grande bridge as well and all before you actually end up in your mineral springs paradise.
2. The Weather is Perfect in April
When visiting any kind of hot springs in the “colder” months of the year, you a risk a brisk wintery feeling creeping up your robe. Not in April. It was cool enough that the mineral pools were not burning you up but warm enough that you could take your leisurely walks to your next pool of choice.
April is a great time to go to Ojo Caliente without roasting alive in the New Mexico heat.
3. The Mud Pool and Baking
The mud pool was a huge draw for us when we visited. We got there a little late in the day, but just soon enough to where we could get our mud bake on in the slow setting sun. We were able to slather a thin coat of mud over our arms, legs, and torso and let it dry and purify our skin. Once you’ve gotten well baked, you can hop into the mud pool nearby and rinse off.
I recommend getting to Ojo Caliente earlier in the day if this is high on your list to experience. They close the mud pool around dusk since the sun is no longer out to help you bake.
4. Mineral Pools: Soda, Iron, and More!
I’ve been to a lot of places that have a dozen or more pools to choose from. Obviously, you find your favorite and make it a point to visit as many as you can, but it can feel overwhelming having so many options.
Ojo Caliente has 6 pools to help meet your needs. Our favorites were the Soda Pool and the Iron Pool.
I LOVED the Soda Pool because it is an excellent place to enjoy some peace and quiet. This is a no-talking zone, meaning it’s so quiet that you can meditate in there, which of course we did.
As for the Iron Pool, you can wade into the deepness and feel smooth pebbles around your toes. Dig deep enough in and you will feel the heat that’s just beneath you.
5. No Sulfur Smell Here
The smell of sulfur doesn’t bother me too much, but it may bother some or I’ve heard cases of people being allergic to sulfur. If it does bother you, just know that you will not experience the smell of sulfur at Ojo.
The mineral waters have been deemed a sacred and healing water source by 8 Northern Pueblo tribal communities and have been an important water source for around 3,000 years. Not far from where you soak, there are Pueblo ruins just above the property.
You can read more about the history of the waters here.
6. Private Pools for the Unbothered
If you need an extra bit of space away from the energies of others, Ojo Caliente offers privates pool for a short duration to help you dig your heels deep into relaxation.
A 50-minute session for 1-2 people is just $45 and super reasonable. You can get the most out of your experience by visiting some of their spa treatments as well.
7. Awesome Rooms That Will Accommodate
If a day pass isn’t enough for you, they happen to have a delightful resort in place in the case that you don’t want to be moved from your exact spot at Ojo.
You can browse their wide variety of accommodations here.
We did not stay nearly long enough but we do plan to come back and very soon. There is so much you can do and so much relaxation to be had, so be sure to explore their website extensively while planning your trip.
If you are looking for a wonderful place to get away and get a little bit extra relaxation, this is the place to go!
If you love this post, visit my other post on my favorite hot springs in Colorado!
