Jemez Springs

Jemez Springs is a village in the Santa Fe National Forest at about 1900 meters elevation, located along the Jemez River in San Diego Canyon. The place sits surrounded by mountains and is known for natural hot springs scattered throughout the area.

The area was a spiritual place for Pueblo Indians for centuries before Spanish missionaries arrived in the 1600s. The Spanish mission San José de los Jemez was built in 1621, and its ruins are now protected as a historical site.

The village draws people seeking inner peace, with the Zen center and hot springs forming part of daily experience for visitors and residents alike. The area blends different spiritual traditions together: Native American practices, Hispanic roots, and modern meditation all shape how the place feels.

The village has several accommodation options near the hot springs and is easily reached from Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Visitors should know the village is small and best explored during warmer months, though the hot springs can be enjoyed year-round.

In the 1940s, the area was seriously considered for one of the nation's most important scientific projects before the final choice went elsewhere. This decision helped preserve the village's quiet, spiritual character over the decades.