Big Bend National Park in Brewster County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Healing Waters

Big Bend National Park

Photographed By James Hulse, March 14, 2023

1. Healing Waters Marker

Inscription. Heated by geothermal processes and emerging at 105° F (41° C), the water in the hot springs carries dissolved mineral salts reputed to have rejuvenating powers. Langford claimed his health was restored after 21 days of soaking in the springs.

The bathhouse is long gone, but the spring still flows within the old foundation. You are welcome to continue the tradition of "seeking the waters" with a relaxing soak in the hot springs.

Captions
Lower Left: Langford built a two-story bathhouse over the springs. A three-foot-thick wall angled into the flow of the river to better withstand floods. The foundation remains, still enclosing the hot springs.
Lower Right: The springs are subject to flooding. At times they are completely submerged.

Please be considerate of others: Soak only, use no soaps or oils. Keep this area clean; leave no litter. Swimming in the river is not recommended.

Erected by National Park Service - U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Science & Medicine • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 29° 10.766′ N, 102° 59.747′

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W. Marker is in Big Bend National Park, Texas, in Brewster County. Marker is on Hot Springs Road, 1.6 miles south of Rio Grande Road, on the left when traveling south. The marker is located east of the parking lot along the Hot Springs Trail and Rio Grande River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Big Bend National Park TX 79834, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Reminders of the Past (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rock Art at Hot Springs (approx. 0.2 miles away); If You Build It... (approx. 0.2 miles away); Community (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hot Springs Historic District (approx. ¼ mile away); Cool Mountains (approx. 2.1 miles away); River and Springs (approx. 2.1 miles away); Chihuahuan Desert (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Big Bend National Park.

More about this marker. The marker is located on the grounds of the Big Bend National Park which requires an entrance fee to access.

Also see . . . Hot Springs Historic District. Big Bend National Park

The Hot Springs Historic District preserves a rich history of human occupation from thousands of years ago to the not-so-distant past. Visitors can study rock art left behind on the limestone cliffs, picture farms of corn, squash, and beans along the river's floodplain, or imagine
Photographed By James Hulse, March 14, 2023

2. The view the hot springs to the left along the river and the Healing Waters Marker in the foreground
what it would have been like to meet at the Hot Springs Post Office in the early 1900s to collect your mail each Monday.

(Submitted on March 25, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The Hot Springs along the Rio Grande River image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, March 14, 2023

3. The Hot Springs along the Rio Grande River

The view of the Rio Grande River from the hot springs image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, March 14, 2023

4. The view of the Rio Grande River from the hot springs

Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 76 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 25, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.