The mineral pools
Each pool has its own water and its own warmth. Move slowly, sip water between soaks and take a rest in the sun whenever you like.
- Go
- First thing in the morning
- Best for
- A slow, quiet start
Ojo Caliente, New Mexico
Warm mineral pools beneath the cliffs, with Santa Fe and Taos on either side. Here’s how to make the most of a winter soak.
By the Global Escapes travel team · Updated
- Best time to go
- Cold, clear days from November to March
- Trip length
- 2 nights at Ojo, 3 in Santa Fe
- From Atlanta
- About 3.5 hours nonstop to Albuquerque
- Santa Fe to Ojo
- About 1 hour, 50 miles north
- Weather
- Winter highs in the 40s, cold and starry nights
- Book by
- Three to six months ahead
Why the springs shine in winter
There’s nothing quite like sinking into warm mineral water while your breath fogs in the cold desert air and the cliffs glow gold above you.
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa has welcomed guests since 1868, making it one of the oldest natural health resorts in the country. Four sulfur-free mineral waters, iron, arsenic, lithia and soda, feed a collection of communal pools, so you can drift from one to the next at your own pace.
Summer is lovely too, but a cold, clear winter day is when the pools feel best. The sun is bright, the air is crisp, and after dark the stars come out by the thousands. A dusting of snow on the cliffs is a bonus.
The village sits between Santa Fe and Taos, about an hour from Santa Fe and under an hour from Taos, so it pairs beautifully with a few days of galleries, green chile and adobe.
How to spend your days at Ojo
Most guests settle into an easy loop: soak, rest, eat, soak again. These are the moments worth planning around.
A private pool
Private outdoor pools for one or two guests are reserved in advance for about 50 minutes, a lovely splurge on a starry night.
- Go
- After dark
- Best for
- Couples, special occasions
The spa
Massages, wraps and facials that build on the springs. The spa is for guests 18 and older, and the best times fill early.
- Go
- Midday, between soaks
- Best for
- A full reset
Trails on public land
The resort borders public lands with trails into the surrounding hills. A morning walk, then a long soak, is a perfect pairing.
- Go
- A sunny morning
- Best for
- Active travelers
A suite with its own soak
Some suites come with a private mineral soaking pool or tub, and overnight stays include daily access to the springs.
- Go
- At least one night
- Best for
- Privacy and late soaks
The Rio Grande Gorge
Driving in from Taos, you cross the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, high above the river. Stop and walk out for the view.
- Go
- On the way in or out
- Best for
- A big-sky moment
Pairing Ojo with Santa Fe
Ojo is best as part of a longer northern New Mexico trip. Santa Fe brings the art and the food, and the springs bring the calm.
In Santa Fe, Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi is a cozy hotel in the heart of downtown, a short walk from the shops and galleries around the Plaza. For more space and quiet, Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe has casita-style rooms on 57 acres in the Sangre de Cristo foothills, about ten minutes from downtown.
Winter is a wonderful time for both. Farolitos glow along the adobe walls at Christmas, restaurants are easier to book, and the drive north to the springs is quiet and scenic. If you’d rather not drive at all, a private driver lets you soak without watching the clock.
A relaxed six-day shape
- Day 1Fly to Albuquerque, drive up to Santa Fe
- Days 2 and 3Santa Fe: the Plaza, Canyon Road and great food
- Day 4North to Ojo, an afternoon soak
- Day 5A morning walk, spa time, stars after dark
- Day 6Back to Albuquerque, or on to Taos
Taos and the High Road
With a day or two more, Taos is under an hour north of the springs, and the drive there is part of the pleasure.
Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the oldest continuously lived-in communities in the country. It closes to visitors for part of late winter and on certain ceremonial days, so we check the calendar before you go. In town, adobe galleries and cafés fill an easy afternoon.
The High Road to Taos winds through old Spanish villages like Chimayó and Truchas, with weavers, woodcarvers and the much-loved Santuario de Chimayó along the way. Snow-capped peaks follow you the whole time.
Good to know
The small things that make a winter soak feel easy.
Drink more water
Warm pools and high desert air dry you out faster than you think. Keep a water bottle close.
Mind the altitude
Santa Fe sits around 7,200 feet. Take the first day gently, and save long hikes for later in the trip.
Ages for soaking
The pools are for guests 13 and older, and anyone under 18 needs an adult with them. The spa is for 18 and up.
Reserve the extras
Private pools and spa times fill on weekends and holidays. We book them along with your room.
Pack for both
A swimsuit and sandals for the pools, plus a warm hat, gloves and layers for the walk between them.
Winter roads
Roads are usually clear, but snow does pass through. A sturdy rental or a private driver keeps things easy.
Planning the whole trip?
Our American Southwest guide
Month-by-month timing, drive times and the places our travelers love most, from Santa Fe and Taos to Sedona and the Grand Canyon.
See the American Southwest guideLet’s plan your New Mexico soak
Tell us when you’re thinking of going and who’s coming along. An advisor will take it from there.