Country
United States
Reviews
No reviews yet
Family friendly
Yes
Terrain
Rock
Season
October to April (river crossing only at low flow)
About Verde Hot Springs
Verde Hot Springs sits beside the Verde River in Coconino National Forest, in the remote canyon country southeast of Camp Verde near the old Childs hydroelectric plant. A resort built here in the 1920s burned down in 1962, and what remains is a set of concrete foundations, steps and tubs fed by warm spring water seeping from the cliff, all covered in decades of colourful graffiti. There is one main soaking pool and several smaller cliffside pools. For decades it has been one of Arizona's best-known places for nude soaking, and visitors should expect to see nude people both at the springs and on the trail, including families. It is completely undeveloped: there are no facilities at the springs, and you must pack out everything. The walk in is short and fairly flat, but it ends with a wade across the Verde River, which is safe only at low flow and can be dangerous or impossible after rain or snowmelt. The cooler months are the best time to go, as summer heat in the canyon is intense.
Legal context & local rules
No Forest Service closure order on nudity covering Verde Hot Springs was found (Arizona naturists report the Coconino bans nudity only at Wet Beaver Creek day-use areas), but a sign near the Childs power plant has been reported to prohibit nudity under state law. Nudity at the springs has long been tolerated with little enforcement; keep clothes at hand near the campground and road.
Public nudity is largely prohibited in the US under indecent exposure laws which vary significantly by state. Vermont has no state-level law against public nudity, making it unique. Florida designates specific beaches as clothing-optional (Haulover Beach, Blind Creek State Park). Federal jurisprudence under the First Amendment has occasionally recognised nude expression in protests, though states regulate for public decency standards. Most states prohibit exposure of "sexual organs" in public under statutes similar to Florida Statute § 800.03.
Getting there and visiting
The springs are reached from Camp Verde by a long drive on rough dirt forest roads toward the old Childs power plant; the roads become very difficult when wet, and a high-clearance vehicle is advisable. From the road's end an easy trail of about 1.2 miles each way, with little climbing (around 40 minutes), leads to a ford of the Verde River opposite the springs. Only cross at low water. There is a dispersed camping area at Childs, where nudity is not the custom. There is no fee and there are no facilities at the springs; pack out everything.
Before you go
- 1 Check the current local rules and access conditions before travelling.
- 2 Bring a towel and sit on it when using shared seating.
- 3 Never take photographs of other people without clear consent.
- 4 Respect the venue’s clothing, privacy, and behaviour rules.
Location
⌖View this place on the map
34.3553, -111.7096
Frequently asked questions
Is nudity allowed at Verde Hot Springs?
Nude soaking has been the custom for decades and is widely tolerated, but there is no official clothing-optional status, and a sign near the Childs plant reportedly cites a state law against nudity.
How hard is it to get there?
A long, rough drive on dirt forest roads, then an easy 1.2-mile walk and a ford of the Verde River.
Is the river crossing safe?
Only at low flow. After rain or snowmelt it can be dangerous; do not attempt it in high water.
When is the best time to go?
Autumn through spring, when the canyon is not too hot and the river is low.
Sources
- Verde Hot Springs via Child's Power Road - Gaia GPS
- 10 places to get naked in Arizona in 2026 - AZ Big Media
- Is Naturist Hiking Legal? - Arizona Naturists FAQ
- Verde Hot Springs - HikeArizona
Researched 25 October 2026 .
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