Beyond the Overlook
We would include the Hot Springs when exploring Big Bend’s east side. The short walk and unusual riverbank setting make it a good contrast to the longer hikes. We loved the soak, but the appeal is the setting: a little stone-edged pool beside the Rio Grande, with simple facilities and conditions that depend on the river.
Big Bend Hot Springs quick facts
What the Big Bend Hot Springs are like
Set your expectations for a primitive soaking area. The old bathhouse is gone; its remaining foundation contains the spring water. The water emerges at about 105°F, and the low stone edge sits immediately beside the Rio Grande.
Plan for the soak, not a river swim
NPS does not recommend swimming in the Rio Grande because currents, depths and hidden hazards can be unpredictable. We cooled off in the river on our visit, but we would not recommend planning to repeat that. Enjoy the spring and check current conditions before going.
The hike is short, but the area is worth exploring
The direct walk from the trailhead to the spring is only about half a mile round trip. A roughly one-mile loop can continue around the bluff above the Rio Grande. The historic district also includes traces of the area's earlier settlement and resort history, so this can be more than a quick soak if you have time.
Check river conditions before you go
The spring is right beside the Rio Grande and is subject to flooding. High water can submerge the spring or leave it filled with mud, rocks and debris afterward. This is one experience where current conditions matter more than a photo from someone else's trip.