Chinati Hot Springs sits north of Ruidosa in the Big Bend region of West Texas, near Presidio. The geothermal spring emerges at about 113 degrees Fahrenheit, at a rate of roughly 75 gallons per minute.
A long history
Native Americans used the hot mineral waters for hundreds of years, followed by early settlers. In 1896, Annie and Bill Kingston acquired the springs and about 1,200 acres. In 1937, they built a bathhouse and seven cabins and ran a rustic public resort called Kingston Hot Springs, with horse-trough soaking tubs.
New owners over the decades
- 1990: Artist Donald Judd bought the springs and closed them to the public.
- 1997: Photographer Richard Fenker bought them from the Judd estate and restored public access.
- 2005: Jeff Fort III bought the property and developed it further.
Know before you go
- Access has been limited to paying guests of the property’s accommodations, so check the springs’ website for current rules and booking before you travel.
- The springs are remote, so plan your route and supplies in advance.
Chinati is a reminder that some of Texas’s most memorable places are far from any city.