Verde Hot Springs
Camp Verde, Arizona
| Address: | Child's Power Rd, Arizona, USA |
| GPS: |
34°20'52.9"N 111°41'50.5"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Arizona |
Rivers
Camp, Hike, and Hot Springs
Verde Hot Springs is one of Arizona's most atmospheric and adventurous soaks — a cluster of natural hot pools tucked among the graffiti-covered ruins of a long-gone 1920s resort, perched on the bank of the Verde River deep in the forest west of Camp Verde. Reaching it takes some effort and a river crossing, which is exactly why this remote, free hot spring has such a devoted following.
The springs sit across the river from the Childs Dispersed Camping Area, near the site of the old Childs power plant. The historic Verde Hot Springs Resort that once stood here burned down in 1962, and today its concrete foundations — now layered in colorful murals and graffiti — cradle the main soaking pool, with several more primitive pools tucked into the cliffside above the river. Soaking in the warm mineral water with the Verde flowing past and canyon walls rising overhead is a genuinely magical experience.
Getting there is part of the adventure, and it demands respect. The drive in is a long, rough dirt road where a high-clearance (ideally four-wheel-drive) vehicle is strongly recommended. From the Childs area it's a short hike of roughly 2.5 miles round trip — but you must ford the Verde River to reach the pools. On a calm day the crossing can be ankle-deep and easy; after rain or during spring runoff it can run knee- to waist-deep with a dangerous current. Never cross when the river is high or fast, check conditions before you go, and turn back if it doesn't look safe.
The site is free and open to the public with no permit required. Come fully prepared for the remote desert backcountry: bring plenty of water, sun protection, and sturdy shoes for the ford, and pack out absolutely everything. Late fall through spring offers the most pleasant temperatures and the calmest, safest river crossings. Earn it, respect the river, and Verde Hot Springs rewards you with one of the Southwest's most unforgettable soaks.
More Information
ARIZONA -- United States Hot Springs
Number of hot springs found: 60
https://deepcreekhotsprings.net/dchs/showhs.php?state=AZCoconino National Forest : Recreation
Find and Discover Recreation Sites and Trails in Coconino National Forest
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coconino/recreationEnjoy Camp Verde River Kayaking in the Verde Valley
Paddle through scenic beauty with Camp Verde River kayaking. Enjoy peaceful waters, wildlife sightings, and a true Arizona adventure.
https://visitcampverde.com/verde-river/Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
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Be careful. Pay attention to posted signs and always test the waters before you get in. Some hot springs can get up to boiling temperatures. Be sure to drink plenty of water to combat the dehydrating effect of the spring.
Be respectful of other soakers and the hot spring. Don't hog the pool. Camp at least 200 yards away and keep fires in designated areas. Keep your pets out of the water and never pee in thermal feature. Glass bottles should never go near a hot spring.
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Camp Verde, Arizona
- Head south on S Main St toward S 1st St (0.5 mi)
- Turn left onto AZ-260 E (7.3 mi)
- Turn right onto Fossil Creek RdMay be closed at certain times or days(13.8 mi)
- Sharp right onto Child's Power Rd (3.7 mi)
- Turn right to stay on Child's Power Rd (2.6 mi)
From the White Bridge in Camp Verde, go east on Hwy 260 6.8 miles to FR 708 (Fossil Creek Road); turn right and go 15 miles to the junction of FR 708 and FR 502. Go south on FR 502 for 6 miles of VERY BAD Road to the Childs Power Plant and the Verde River. Courtesy of fs.usda.gov
GPS coordinates should be accurate to within 0.57 miles
Other Hiking Trails and Hot Springs Nearby
Fossil Creek Waterfall
Pine, Arizona
6.2 miles NEOne of Arizona's two Wild and Scenic rivers, with a short hike from a dirt-road parking area to a deep pool at the base of the falls — watch for snakes on the trail.
Hike, Swim 1.1-4.6 mi
Fossil Creek Dam (Toilet Bowl)
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Dive, Hike, Swim 0.1-3.8 mi
Fossil Springs Trail No. 18
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Hike, Horseback, Swim 0.4 mi
Clear Creek Campground
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Blodgett Basin Trail No. 31
Camp Verde, Arizona
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Backpack, Hike, Swim 8.4 mi
West Clear Creek Trail No. 17
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Backpack, Hike, Swim
Bullpen Day Use Area
Camp Verde, Arizona
13.3 miles NA big red jumping rock on West Clear Creek, shaded picnic areas, and trails down a stunning canyon below the Mogollon Rim — a full afternoon of swimming and hiking.
Backpack, Dive, Hike, Swim 0.6-2.9 mi
Tramway Trail No. 32
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Hike, Rock Climb, Swim 7.1 mi
The Crack at Wet Beaver Creek
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Dive, Hike, Horseback, Swim 1.0 mi
Maxwell Trail No. 37
Happy Jack, Arizona
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Hike, Swim 0.2-0.6 mi
Ellison Creek Falls
Payson, Arizona
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Dive, Hike, Swim 3.9 mi
Cave Creek Swimming Hole
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27.7 miles SA refreshing desert swimming hole at the end of nearly four miles of Cave Creek Trail — worth the cactus-country hike for the cool pool waiting in the shade.
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East Clear Creek
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Red Rock State Park
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Hike, Swim 1.1-3.5 mi
Horton Springs
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34.3 miles EA spring on the Mogollon Rim where water emerges dramatically from the mountainside — hike the easy Horton Creek Trail through wildflowers and maples, splash in the cold creek, and camp near the spring.
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Upper Tonto Creek Campground
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Chavez Crossing
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Camp, Hike, Swim 0.8-1.8 mi
Kinder Crossing Trail #19
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Hell's Gate
Payson, Arizona
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Backpack, Camp, Hike, SwimNearby Campsites
Clear Creek Campground
Camp Verde, Arizona
12.2 miles NA grassy creekside campground shaded by tall cottonwoods on West Clear Creek — ideal for hiking, swimming, fishing for smallmouth bass and sunfish, and wildlife watching in a desert canyon oasis.
Camp, Hike, Swim
Beaver Creek Campground
Camp Verde, Arizona
22.3 miles NBeaver Creek is a refreshing creekside oasis in the high desert of central Arizona, where the cool, clear waters of Wet Beaver Creek wind beneath big cottonwoods and sycamores in the Coconino...
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Beaver Creek Dispersed Camping
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22.6 miles NThis free dispersed camping area sits on the cliffs above Wet Beaver Creek in the Coconino National Forest of central Arizona, in the red-rock and juniper country near Rimrock and Camp Verde, not far...
Camp 1.1-3.5 mi
Horton Springs
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34.3 miles EA spring on the Mogollon Rim where water emerges dramatically from the mountainside — hike the easy Horton Creek Trail through wildflowers and maples, splash in the cold creek, and camp near the spring.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Upper Tonto Creek Campground
Payson, Arizona
34.4 miles EA 9-site first-come-first-served campground at the junction of Tonto and Horton Creeks — with vault toilets, drinking water, and trailheads for Horton Spring and the Highline Trail nearby.
Camp, Hike
Chavez Crossing
Sedona, Arizona
34.5 miles NA campground on Oak Creek in Sedona's red-rock canyon, perfectly placed for cool water play, sunsets over Munds Mountain, and access to nearby swimming holes.
Camp, Hike, Swim
Hell's Gate
Payson, Arizona
35.3 miles EHellsgate Wilderness hides deep canyon pools possibly separated by impassable falls in a remote 37,000-acre preserve — a true adventure for spring and fall explorers.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Swim 1.1 mi
Christopher Creek Campground
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Haigler Canyon Campground
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Aspen Campground
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Wolf Creek Falls
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Cave Springs
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Sinkhole Campground
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