My favorite road trip stop to date! Located in somewhat of a deserted but very sacred section of New Mexico is this beautiful hillside mineral spa with mud baths!
Ojo is world-renowned and one of the oldest natural health resorts in the county. It opened in1868!
The best part for me (before even entering the unique property) was that it was kid-friendly! I get it; I can undoubtedly understand for some, that would be a negative, but the entire pool area is "whispers only," and children are only allowed in until 6 pm. So, if you think this will be an issue, perhaps plan around that. For this mama, it worked out perfectly!
*I wouldn't recommend a visit here for all children, however. Mamas, use your discretion.
I knew my kiddos would be just fine, and I can honestly say it was such a fantastic mother/daughter bonding experience—the first of many spa days with my little girls to come. We had such a great time here that we treated ourselves to another mineral spa on this trip just a few days later in Pagosa Springs, Colorado!
All baths at Ojo are sulfur-free and contain geothermal mineral water that has flowed from a subterranean volcanic aquifer for thousands of years. Very cool! Don't miss a hike up the mountain on the side of the property! There you will find gorgeous little pieces of volcanic rock! We took a few slivers home, and they now rest on my coffee table with my other crystals as a daily reminder of our experience at Ojo!
The waters at Ojo include Arsenic, lithia, soda, and iron. There's also a Kiva pool, which is a traditional circular gathering place for those who don't know, where rituals are held for the Pueblo people. I love how Ojo stays true to the roots of the area.
Our favorite part of Ojo was, by far, the mud baths!!! Gorgeous fountains of warm mud to cover yourself. You then lay out and let the sun bake the earth into your skin. Then you wash it off gently in the pool or the showers. Very cool!!
We soaked in a warm mud-filled tub for quite a while, and to say the kiddos loved it is an understatement.
This was a highlight of our entire Southwestern, multi-state trip! The kiddos didn't want to leave the mud! I mean, what kid would?! It felt incredible, and our skin felt so soft and amazing afterward!
There are cozy hammocks, fireplaces, and labyrinths, also! The scenery next to the mountain, the calming surroundings, and muted tones were terrific!
There are different prices for different times of the day and year. There are moonlight dips too! There are bath and accommodation combination packages and spa packages also. (The Native American Pricky Pear Scrub is on my list for next time!) There are even secluded baths for those who want to go au naturale!
We personally just stopped in randomly and paid for a day pass. We were given one towel per person. Extras are an additional cost. Don't forget your bathing suit, flip-flops, and even a robe!
The experience my girls and I had was absolutely memorable! I had the best time with my daughters, but it would also make a fabulous girls' trip! They do have lodging on-site!
I would love and plan on a return visit. I definitely think it's worth going out of your way for, although there are many neat things to hit up not far away, like the ski resort, traditional Pueblo, the Rio Grande, and an Earthship eco-village.
Ojo is out there, so make sure you fill up on gas before making the trek! Worth the journey!
