Water immersion therapy is a real thing, and being in the dry desert can be tough on the water-lover's soul. You aren't totally out of luck, mermaids and mermen: There are springs, pools and even a few hotels you can drop into for the day to live your waterside-vacation dreams on your day off.
Abiquiú Lake
Hwy 84, Abiquiú
This manmade lake is in the heart of O'Keeffe country 60 miles north of Santa Fe. Its waters are surrounded by red and white cliffs that make it really easy to picture the artist maven herself, sitting and painting on a rock nearby. You can access the water by dock or wading (or cliff-jumping for the more daring). The drive alone is awe-inspiring.
Bicentennial Pool (Summer only)
1121 Alto St., 955-4779, santafenm.gov/bicentennial_pool
$1 children 10 and under
$2 youth 11-17 and seniors (60+)
$3 adults
This family swimming spot overlooks the green lawns of Alto Park, which begs a post-swim picnic.
Cochiti Lake
Dam Crest Road, Peña Blanca, 465-2557, cochitilake.org/lake
This reservoir has two recreational sites, a swimming beach, camping loops with electricity hook-ups and a playground for the kids.
Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado
198 State Road 592, 946-5700, fourseasons.com/santafe
$25 per person October-March
$100 per person April-September
A day pass includes access to the spa facilities, like the outdoor courtyard men's and women's hot tubs, the beautiful yoga studio and the heated outdoor pool. This is really a one-day vacation, and the place to splurge if you want a summer escape.
Ft. Marcy Recreation Complex
490 Bishops Lodge Road, 955-2500, santafenm.gov/ft_marcy_recreation_complex
$1.50 children 10 and under
$3 youth 11-17 and seniors (60+)
$5 adults
Get in there and do some laps! They offer memberships and have a racquetball court and gym.
Genoveva Chavez Community Center
3221 Rodeo Road, 955-4000, chavezcenter.com
$2 children 10 and under
$4 youth 11-17 and seniors (60+)
$7 adults
This huge indoor rec center offers an Olympic-size swimming pool. They also have huge slides and a fun tide pool for the kids (or after your serious swimming). Check the schedule online to make sure there's a lane open for you.
La Posada de Santa Fe
330 E Palace Ave., 954-9630, laposadadesantafe.com
$30 day pass (membership trial)
$125 monthly membership
A saline pool with a bar attached is pretty much a dream of a summer day. And that's exactly what you get here.
Montezuma Hot Springs
Hwy. 65, Montezuma
Situated along the Gallinas Creek, these springs are slippery, so be careful. Some are also really hot, but there are a handful to choose from and they all have nice views. Springtime, when pink flower buds grace the trees, is spectacular.
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs
50 Los Banos Drive, Ojo Caliente, 583-2233, ojocaliente.ojospa.com
$16-$32 per person
A beloved spot in Northern New Mexico for generations, Ojo is a laid-back, family-friendly destination to warm up in a hot spring, take a mud bath or catch a snooze in a hammock. It's free on your birthday for New Mexico residents.
Salvador Perez Recreation Center
601 Alta Vista St., 955-2607, santafenm.gov/salvador_perez_complex
$1.50 children 10 and under
$3 youth 11-17 and seniors (60+)
$5 adults
With a weight room and a lap pool, plus an offering of exercise classes including water aerobics, this rec center has it all.
Spence Hot Springs
Hwy. 4, 7 miles north of Jemez Springs
Just off the highway and up a well-marked trail, you'll find these three tiered hot pools with mountain views. Enjoyable in rain, snow or shine, it's a popular spot—so don't expect to be the only people there.
Sunrise Springs Spa Resort
242 Los Pinos Road, 780-8145, sunrisesprings.ojospa.com
$30-$55 per person (hot tubs)
The natural springs on the property make it a desert oasis, and they offer outdoor tubs for your soaking pleasure. Overlooking the spring, there's enough space for up to four people. Even if you don't want to climb into a tub, you can admire the scenic natural oasis in La Cienega as you dine or get a spa treatment.
Ten Thousand Waves
21 Ten Thousand Waves Way, 982-9304, tenthousandwaves.com
$24.30 per person (unlimited communal tubs)
In addition to a luxurious communal space, this Japanese-style spa also offers a variety of private tubs ranging in price from around $40 to $60 per person for a private soak. Hanging in these tubs is a treat and an escape.
Santa Fe Reporter