Montezuma Hot Springs - Hot Springs in the U.S.

These are ruins of a part of the hotel that had been operated by Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.

The hotel closed the business, while hot springs water continues gushing.

Abandoned Constructions in the Mountains

It is not the popular Las Vegas in Nevada.

The less popular Las Vegas in the state of New Mexico used to be one of the most flourished cities in the southwestern U.S. in the 19th centuries.

The opening of Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway was the key factor.

The Santa Fe Railways established a hotel named Las Vegas Hot Springs, which appealed to tourists.

Guests included even Theodore Roosevelt and Emperor Hirohito of Japan.

After the closure of business, the famous building called Montezuma Castle is now used as the campus of the United World College.

Other most constructions are abandoned in the mountains.

Three Soaking Areas

The sources of the springs are located on the opposite side of the Montezuma Castle, across the Gallinas River.

Overall there are three different areas for soaking.

Let’s start with the upstream one.

Gaps of guardrails are the entrance.

All the hot springs are located in the middle of the bank.

The T-shaped tub is too shallow to soak.

The water is clear and colorless, accompanied by slight mineral deposits.

Inside the wooden-fenced area, there are terraced three pools.

The top one is fed by the hottest water in Montezuma.

The water temperature is around 122 degrees F.

The pool is so deep that the ladder is useful.

Alpaca

A little scared...

That is the point.

Capybara

Overflowed water is drained to the second and third pools.

Due to the lack of water provided, I felt that water in these pools does not have freshness.

I realized the first pool looking like e a soil pipe was the best place to be warmed.

Let’s move to the next soaking area.

There are two small private tubs.

I do not understand why it is constructed so solidly paved with concrete.

Overflowed water is drained to the Gallinas River, where is famous for trout fishing.

The last area in the downstream.

Three rocky pools are in the grass.

A trail starts from this point to the direction of the castle.

I found some ruins of tubs along the path.

In the end I encountered a no trespassing sign.

Please do not enter the private property of the United World Colleges.

Returning to the soaking area, I observed that the water temperature differs per pool.

Due to the accessible location from the city of Las Vegas, lots of local people were gathering for leisure.

If you want a quiet soak, visit in the early morning.

Summary