Turkey Creek Hot Springs
165°F
Source water (NOAA)
4.2mi
Hike, one way
Free
No fee reported
Rock-lined pools along Turkey Creek where 165 F spring water mixes with the cool creek. The roughly 8.3-mile round trip includes Gila River crossings and a tight crawl, and clothing is commonly optional.
01 · Before you go
Plan your visit
What to expect on the ground: rules, facilities and when to go.
- Clothing optionalCommon here, not official policy
- Camping nearbyEstablished sites and cave camping about 2 miles from the trailhead along Turkey Creek.
- QuietLow-water seasons; avoid snowmelt and rainy periods.
- SeasonGila River crossings can be waist-deep in spring snowmelt and after heavy rain; do not cross at flood stage.
Best time to go. Low-water seasons; avoid snowmelt and rainy periods.
02 · Live
Conditions
Access status, weather and hazards. Closure feeds are checked automatically every morning.
Access
No closures reported
No closure, fire or weather warning found in Forest Service, wildfire (NIFC) or National Weather Service feeds. That isn't confirmation it's open, so check with Gila National Forest.
Checked 22 Oct · updated daily
As of 2026-10-18 no closure found; a March 21, 2026 article describes the hike as usable. Trail and access road are reported to be in poor condition from past fire and flood damage.
Source water about 165 F, repeated Gila River crossings, scrambling, a tight crawl called the Keyhole, black bears, rattlesnakes, poison ivy, and far-away medical help.
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03 · Route
Getting there
Nearest town: Gila. Then a 4.2-mile hike, one way.
- 1
From Silver City take US 180 west, NM-211 to Gila, then NM-153 where pavement ends, then about 9.5 miles of dirt road to the end of Forest Road 155.
- 2
Walk about 1.3 miles up the Gila River, then follow Turkey Creek to the springs.
- 3
Guides give 8.3 miles round trip.
- 4
High clearance is recommended.
33.1080, −108.4830 · nearest town Gila, NM
These coordinates are for the spring itself, not the parking area. Navigate to the trailhead named in the directions.
04 · Where to stay
Stay nearby
Start early and stay close. Places to stay near Gila, from campgrounds to cabins.
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Checked against 3 sources, with closures, wildfires and weather warnings re-checked daily.Show sourcesShare your photosSuggest an update
- hotspringsguides.com (hike, hazards, directions, temperature)
- islands.com (mileage, river crossings, March 2026 article)
- desertlavender.com (trail condition)
