3 locations · United States
New Mexico
Every clothing-optional place we've verified in New Mexico. Tap any entry for full visit notes, etiquette, access and seasonal advice.
New Mexico, USA
Black Rock Hot Springs
Black Rock Hot Springs sits on the west bank of the Rio Grande in northern New Mexico, roughly 20 miles north of Taos. It's one of the region's best-known soaking spots where clothing-optional bathing is both accepted and the norm, particularly on weekdays and during quieter seasons. The springs feed several rock-lined pools at varying temperatures right at the river's edge, set against the dramatic backdrop of high desert canyon walls, sagebrush, and the constant rush of the Rio Grande. You'll reach it via a rugged dirt road that requires high clearance, followed by a half-mile descent into the gorge—loose rock and steep sections make the hike moderately challenging. There are no facilities whatsoever: no bathrooms, no trash cans, no services. The experience is entirely DIY, and you're expected to pack out everything you bring in. Summer weekends tend to draw larger crowds, including some textile bathers and families, which shifts the vibe slightly. Spring runoff from April through June can flood the pools or make them temporarily inaccessible. Fall and winter offer the most solitude, though snow and ice can close the access road entirely. This isn't a resort or a club—it's raw public land soaking in one of New Mexico's most striking natural settings.
New Mexico, USA
Faywood Hot Springs
Faywood Hot Springs sits in the high desert of southwest New Mexico, about 30 minutes north of Deming in Grant County. This is one of the few clothing-optional hot spring destinations in the Southwest that operates as a developed, visitor-friendly property rather than a wild soak. The springs feed a series of concrete soaking pools scattered across the rustic, off-grid grounds — some private tubs, some communal pools. Water emerges from the source around 130°F and gets piped to the pools, where you can adjust temperature using hoses. The clothing-optional pools are clearly marked and separated from swimsuit-required areas, so you know what to expect before you soak. The whole property has a funky, DIY vibe: solar power, composting toilets, outdoor showers, and basic camping spots alongside a handful of simple cabins. There's no restaurant or store, so pack your own food and plenty of water. Day visits are welcome if you just want a soak, or you can camp or rent a cabin to stay overnight. Faywood appeals to visitors who prefer their naturism low-key and uncomplicated — no resort amenities, no AANR membership requirements, just hot water and open sky in the New Mexico desert.
New Mexico, USA
Manby Hot Springs
Manby Hot Springs sits at the bottom of the Rio Grande Gorge just outside Taos, a dramatic desert canyon carved through volcanic basalt. This is not a resort or organized naturist facility — it's a cluster of rock-lined soaking pools fed by geothermal seeps along the riverbank, with clothing-optional use established by decades of informal tradition rather than official designation. The springs are typical of New Mexico's backcountry hot-water culture: minimally developed, scenically striking, and physically demanding to reach. The 1.5-mile trail descends roughly 800 feet from the rim, manageable on the way down but a genuine cardio climb on the return, especially in midday heat. Pool temperatures vary widely depending on how much river water mixes in — some pools run lukewarm, others genuinely hot, and the balance shifts with river flow and season. The setting is raw high-desert beauty: basalt cliffs, scrub brush, the constant rush of the Rio Grande. Expect other hikers and soakers, some clothed, some not; the vibe is relaxed and respectful. Spring and fall offer the best conditions; winter ice can make the trail treacherous, summer heat punishing. Budget at least two hours round-trip, longer if you want a proper soak. This is public land, so pack out everything you bring in.