The Verde Hot Springs are located amid the remains of a resort that was popular in the 1920's but burned down years ago. The ruins, in a high desert canyon on the west bank of the Verde River, are in good shape, having been well maintained by locals. There are several indoor cement soaking pools (in the old bathhouse) and a large outdoor pool. Volunteers have also added new rock outdoor soaking pools, and there is also a hot spring in a riverbank cave about 50 feet upstream that is a particularly enchanting spot for a nude soak.

Most visitors to this remote site expect or at least tolerate nudity. At times there have been signs here prohibiting nudity, which regulars happily ignore. Although nudity is very well established here, the protocol at places such as this is that nudists use discretion in the presence of non-nudists. Don't assume that textile soakers will be comfortable if you join them in your birthday suit; choose another pool not occupied by textiles or where there is at least one other naked person.

Although crowds are typically small, the exception is holiday weekends, when the campground is overrun with visitors, most of whom suit up for soaking and may create an atmosphere uncomfortable for nudity. Unless you are really bold, you may wish to skip this place on holiday weekends.

The springs are more than 20 miles from the nearest food or gas, and the roads are unpaved (rough washboard surface) and sometimes hazardous, so visitors should always check with the ranger station in Camp Verde before making the trip.

VISUAL RESOURCES

GPS: 34.3560, -111.7103

city, county, state, country  (remote), Yavapai, Arizona, U.S.A.

classification  2 (traditionally nude)

There are 5 placemarks related to this site.