Western Trips visited a unique western travel destination in the scenic beauty of northern New Mexico. The historic town of Ojo Caliente is a stop you want to add to your western road trip planner. In Spanish the name Ojo Caliente means 'hot spring" and this is what you'll find today when you visit this most very unique town.
 |
| Scenic trails around Ojo Caliente NM |
The Site of Ancient Pueblos
The first inhabitants of what is today Ojo Caliente New Mexico were the Pueblo Indians. Ancient peoples, the ancestors of today’s Native American Tewa tribes, built pueblos and terraced gardens overlooking the springs. The hot springs were considered a source of healing and thousands of people lived there.
The Spaniards and Ojo Caliente
During the 1500's, the Spaniards in their search for gold and the "fountain of youth" also discovered these springs.Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaco found the springs in 1534 and described them as follows...
"The greatest treasure that I found these strange people to possess are some hot springs which burst out at the foot of a mountain...so powerful are the chemicals contained in this water that the inhabitants have a belief that they were given to them by their gods. These springs I have named Ojo Caliente"
 |
| Ojo Caliente Historic 1916 Hotel |
It was during the late 1600's that the Spaniards built a settlement at Ojo Caliente but attacks by both the Ute and Comanche Indians caused the site to be abandoned in 1748. The settlement was revived in the 1800's. Zebulon Pike, the explorer of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico and whose name is on the famous peak in Coroado, was at Ojo Caliente in 1807 as a prisoner after his arrest by the Spaniards in Taos. He was charged with exploring in New Spain. While Pike was held in Ojo Caliente he made the observation..."the greatest natural curiosity is the warm springs". Pike also observed that the settlement as built with mud walls, the houses being a part of the walls. He thought that the settlement was built in a defensive manner with perhaps 500 residents.
Ojo Calient Today
In 1868, New Mexico Territory's first representative to Congress, Antonio Joseph, opened the first overnight lodging facility at Ojo Caliente. This was one of the first natural health resorts in the country. The facility was a health spa taking advantage of the local hot springs. It's estimated that more than 100,000 gallons of steaming water come up to the surface daily.
 |
| Adobe Round House built in 1924 |
At the Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort and Spa you'll experience four different sulfur free mineral waters. These are lithia, arsenic, soda and iron. The word "spa" is the acronym for the Latin phrase, “Salus Per Aquas”, meaning “health through water”.
Some visit the springs at Ojo Caliente for a day and others for a weekend or longer. Locals have visited the springs on a reguler basis. It's a truly unique place to experience the different types of hot springs mineral waters.The Ojo Caliente springs have a reputation of bringing tourists back many times. People fid it as the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern day living. The scenery around Ojo Caliente and northern New Mexico is some of the most picturesque you'll experience anywhere.
There are two additional Western Trips photo articles regarding hot springs in northern New Mexico that you'll enjoy. The links are below...
A Visit to Jemez Springs
Montezuma's Castle / Las Vegas New Mexico
 |
| Mineral spring pools at Ojo Caliente Resort |
In addition to the spa and mineral water activities, there are several good hiking trails you'll find that has their trail heads at the resort and spa site.The resort occupies about 1,100 acres and is adjacent to national forest and public land. Included among the trails is the hilltop trail to the ancient Posi Pueblo. Some of this trail is steep and rocky and other portions are fairly level. The Posi Pueblo is in relatively good condition and the Ojo Caliente Resort has partnered with the Bureau of Land Management to protect this special place. The round trip hike to the ancient pueblo is a bit over one mile from the resort. As with all trails in New Mexico, hikers and bikers should make sure to bring along plenty of water.
There is also a mountain bike trail through the surrounding mesas to the historic Mica Mines. This is about a four mile round trip. Mica was mined at one time in the U.S. but most now is imported. At one time mica mining was a big industry in the southwest. The high desert mesa scenery on this hike will give you plenty of great photo opportunities. There are no facilities for bike rentals but if you're traveling to Ojo Caliente from either Taos or Santa Fe there are outfitters at both locations. There is also a relatively short walk from the resort to the Adobe Round Barn which is a must if you're visiting the resort. Trail maps can be obtained at the resort front desk.
 |
| Historic Hotel lobby |
Whether you wish to book a room or just enjoy the hot springs for the day or perhaps attend a yoga class , Ojo Caliente will make a fine addition to your northern New Mexico trip planner.
(Article and photos copyright 2013 Western Trips)
View Larger Map
