soda dam hot springs

A visit to Jemez Springs would not be the full-on experience without stopping at the Soda Dam and doing some walking/climbing around the rocks and springs. Get out of that car and explore! It's a natural wonder, one of the many unusual geological treats to be found in New Mexico.

I love to take thus route from Los Alamos to ABQ and this particular spot is one of a handful along the way that I always like to stop off at. It's not the coolest pit stop ever but it's worth a stop for sure.

What an interesting formation and it's right by the road with plenty of turn-out space for parking. You can't miss it and it's definitely worth a stop and some study.

Its very crowded so you have to wait for people to get out of the way. Go in the late afternoon, there's no one there and the light is better for photos.

The highway was expanded so all the springs along the road are no longer visible. No soaking anywhere here any longer. The person who wrote the post about them in OCT 2012 clearly hadn't been here in a decade.

On one side of the road the Jemez river cut a hole through the soda deposits, forming a water fall framed by surrealistic shapes of rock, including a mini cave. On the other side, hot, sulphured water springs sprout from the ground and form a pool of crystal clear water. It is a beautiful spot to appreciate the wonders of nature.Just a few miles down the road you can eat some of the best fry bread in the area, made and served out of roadside booths placed in the reddest background you'll see anywhere.

Incredible little spot but a little closer to the road than I liked. We were able to hike around to the top and it was lovely and we were able to get to a spot away from the road.

We were on our way to another attraction and came upon this falls. It was quite pretty this time of year with icicles hanging on in places. The falls however was running just fine. Nice photo op if you're in the area but wouldn't drive far out of my way to make it a destination.

Across the road from Soda Dam are some very small hot springs. There is a concrete wall erected to protect the road. This also serves as a tub of some sort, and if you really wanted to, could be used for soaking. However it is right next to the road, and the water is warm, not hot. It does have a sulfur, and there is a small spring feeding directly into it. The direct proximity to the road makes this not a very practical bathing experience - and there was no indication of anyone having done so recently.

Soda Dam is an interesting formation, but not much else. This roadside attraction is often crowded and parking can be a real mess. The area is usually swarming with folks gawking and sometimes playing in the water. Not sure about the water quality. I wouldn't plan on any more than getting my feet wet and snapping a photo or two.

Nearly missed it...can't see the sign coming from one direction bit its right on the roadside. It's a one minute stop.