Hot Springs in Truth or Consequences

Since before recorded history, the therapeutic benefits of the hot springs in this area have drawn people here.

Blackstone Historic Bath - hot springs in Truth or ConsequencesThe hot thermal water flows out of a rift along the Rio Grande that appeared more than 50 million years ago. The rift uplifted Truth or Consequences’ landmark hill, and faults along the rift allow deep groundwater to flow freely to the surface without losing heat or minerals—producing pristine waters with temperatures ranging from 98 to 115 degrees, with trace elements of 38 different minerals. The pH of the water is 7, or neutral.

21 day soaking plan
May Cure
“Whatever Ails You”

With almost 2,700 parts per million of assorted minerals, these thermal springs constitute some of the most heavily mineralized water in the United States. The continually flowing waters also have two important and unique features:

— The water has no unpleasant odor.
— The single largest ingredient in the water is chloride, a naturally occurring germ killer that sterilizes the skin and ensures the purity of the water.

Located in the downtown Hot Springs Bathhouse Historic and Commercial District, the spas and bathhouses of Truth or Consequences are central to its history. The region gained recognition as a health center at the turn of the century, and in the 1920s, ‘30s, and ‘40s motorists flocked to area resorts. [see a brochure for "Hot Springs New Mexico, City of Health"]

Some were prescribed the "21 day soak" regimen, said to cure "anything that ails you." In a nutshell, the regimen is - soak in our hot springs once daily for 21 days, at around the same time each day, and devote equal time immediately after your soak to rest and recover.

Today, the charmingly restored hotels, motels, RV parks, and spas reflect this history and offer travelers a wide range of accommodations that retain the flavor of this bygone era, along with healing treatments including massage, reflexology, mud wraps, reiki, and more.

Visitors seeking private baths in their hotels rooms have several options. See our list of hotels with hot springs for more info. Most of the baths are open to walk-ins who can pay to soak by the half hour or hour.

Blackstone Hotsprings

410 Austin, Truth or Consequences
walk-in soaks allowedOpen to walk-ins from 9am-9pm daily. Call ahead to soak in any of the 3 private outdoor baths.

Rooms on the main property have in-room baths (and one mineral water shower) for unlimited soaking. Lodgers and non-lodgers can book an indoor bath in any of the three roomy outdoor baths. Reservations are required by calling 575-894-0894.

Charles Hotsprings Resort

601 Broadway, Truth or Consequences
walk-in soaks allowedBaths at The Charles are open to walk-ins from 8am-10pm. Punch cards are available; buy in bulk and save $1 per soak.

Soaks are $9 per person for single indoor soaks; $15 per person / per hour for outdoor rooftop soaks, maximum 4 people. (Guests of the motel pay $8 per person.) Indoor baths are private bathing stalls with tiled tubs. Two private jetted whirlpool tubs are available on the rooftop. Rent towels for $4 or byo.

Fire Water Lodge

311 Broadway, Truth or Consequences
No walk-in soaks are offered at Fire Water; baths are on site for lodgers and their guests.

Six rooms at Fire Water have indoor baths; some are concrete, others are ceramic tile, one is stone & ceramic, one is metal. Each bath is in a private enclosed area. One outdoor bath, a jetted whirlpool in a private fenced-in area, is available for use by all lodgers on a first come / first served basis.

Hoosier Hot Springs

516 Austin, Truth or Consequences
walk-in soaks allowedAdvance reservations are suggested – call 575-470-8959 to reserve a soak. Walk-ins are welcome and based on availability.

The locally-owned and operated Hoosier offers 1-hour hot mineral water soaks in 3 private areas. 2 outdoor pools each have a shower, and the original (circa 1937) indoor pool has a full bathroom. Children must be 12+ and accompanied by an adult.

Indian Springs

218 Austin Street, Truth or Consequences
walk-in soaks allowedWalk-ins are welcome at Indian Springs on a first-come/first-served basis. Stop by between 8am and 9pm daily!

Indian Springs has a 6×8′ bath that can accommodate up to 6 people and a 4×4′ bath that can accommodate 1-2 people. Lodgers get two free half-hour baths per day. Rates are $4 per person for a half hour bath. Pools are gravel-bottom, mostly natural flow, but a pump in the small bath maintains constant flow.

La Paloma Hot Springs & Spa

311 Marr, Truth or Consequences
walk-in soaks allowedCall 575-894-3148 to arrange a soak at La Paloma Hot Springs & Spa. Spa hours are normally 10am-10pm daily, dependent on staffing.

Natural flowing hot mineral baths with temperatures from 98-115 degrees are available to lodgers and non-lodgers. Non-lodgers must arrange soaks in advance by calling 575-894-3148. Benches are situated next to the private pebble-bottomed baths for cooling off or just resting. The bath house is whisper quiet.

La Paloma Too

300 Austin, Truth or Consequences
walk-in soaks allowedCall 575-894-3148 to arrange a soak at La Paloma Hot Springs & Spa. Spa hours are normally 10am-10pm daily, dependent on staffing.

La Paloma Too has the oldest baths in town; several gravel-bottom natural flow pools are available by the half hour or hour . Bottled water is available to buy; rent a towel for $1. Lodging is available next door at La Paloma Hot Springs & Spa.

Pelican Spa

306 S. Pershing, Truth or Consequences

walk-in soaks allowedOpen to walk-ins Sunday through Thursday from 9am-9pm daily.

Guests have unlimited access to five concrete tubs, all indoors. Four of these baths can accommodate a couple, and one bath can accommodate up to 6 people.

Riverbend Hot Springs

100 Austin, Truth or Consequences
walk-in soaks allowedWalk-ins are welcome during business hours, 8am-10pm, with the last soak at 9pm.

Choose from seven Private Riverside Pools or purchase a Property Pass to access all eight Common Riverside Pools, the sauna, and common grounds. Property Passes run $25-35 per person per hour. Deluxe pools are $35-50 per session for 1-2 guests. Private soak sessions are 50 minutes. Lodging, including RV spaces, includes unlimited guest access to the Common Pools and grounds. Children 12 and older only.

Sierra Grande

501 McAdoo, Truth or Consequences
walk-in soaks allowedWalk-ins are welcome, but it’s suggested that you call ahead to book a spa treatment or hot mineral bath.

Indoor soaking options at Sierra Grande include 2 stamped concrete baths, each accommodating 1-2 people, and a large ceramic tile bath that can accommodate up to 8 people. Outdoors, a large stucco & tile bath under a pergola accommodates up to 4 people.

Spa Services, Massage, Reflexology

massage and spa treatments

If you're looking for an opportunity to be pampered to the nines, there are two full-service spas in Truth or Consequences/Elephant Butte, and massage and other treatments can be arranged on-site at several hotels in the county.  Please see our Massage & Body Work page for more information.

History of the Hot Springs as a Destination

Downtown Truth or Consequences sits atop a large natural aquifer that produces somewhat salty, odorless water ranging in temperature from 100-115 degrees Fahrenheit. Were the city (and nearby Elephant Butte Dam) not here, the downtown area would be a swampy basin of warm mud, subject to seasonal flooding from the Rio Grande.

TumbleInn Mud Baths in Hot Springs Cure Rheumatism

During the late 1800s, while neighboring areas like Kingston and Chloride were experiencing the Gold and Silver Rush, the hot springs were visited by more and more people and the area became known as "Palomas Hot Springs." The first generation of bath houses were actually tents, and a soak entailed laying in the hot mud and slathering it all over oneself; doing so was thought to cure rheumatism.

Hot Springs New Mexico, City of Health

The event that changed the area forever was the construction of Elephant Butte Dam between 1911 and 1916. Liquor and gambling were outlawed at the construction site, but establishments in the hot springs settlement five miles away offered both - and in abundance. The population grew rapidly and the town was incorporated in 1916.

Once the dam was completed, the flow of the river was altered such that more land could be claimed from the flood plain, allowing for stick frame bathhouses to be built in what had been swamp. Wells were sunk into the aquifer, allowing clear spring water to flow. The town developed as a health resort; hot mineral water was an accepted medical treatment, and slogans like "City of Health" and "Health Capital of the Southwest" drew visitors and healers alike.

Over the course of the 20th century, the town’s name was changed first to Hot Springs, then famously to Truth or Consequences. Some say that last change caused the mineral baths to be forgotten, but today the hot springs seem to be experiencing a resurgence in popularity.

Truth or Consequences Mineral Water Analysis

mineral content in Truth or Consequences hot springs

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