This charming small resort town—really just a handful of little clapboard buildings tucked in the narrow valley along the road—is the most convenient place to indulge in some of the area’s springs, which are a stew of minerals and trace elements such as lithium that have inspired tales of miraculous healing since tourists began visiting in the 1870s.

Giggling Springs (Hwy. 4, 575/829-9175, www.gigglingsprings.com, 11 a.m.–sunset Tues.–Sun. June–Aug., Wed.–Sun Sept.–May, $15/hour or $35/day), built in the 1880s, has a luxe-meets-rough feel, with a relatively small spring-fed pool enclosed in an attractively landscaped flagstone area right near the Jemez River.

The Jemez Springs Bath House (Hwy. 4, 505/829-3303, www.jemezspringsbathhouse.com, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. daily May–Sept., 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Fri. and Sat. Oct.–Apr., $15/hour) is operated by the village; here, the springs have been diverted into eight individual private soaking tubs; call ahead to reserve. Massages and other spa treatments are available.

For a bite to eat, Consetta’s, the Green Restaurant (Hwy. 4, 505/829-4455, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Wed.–Mon. May–Oct., $12), on the south edge of town, serves veggie-friendly fare such as miso pesto, as well as eggplant parmesan and crisp-crust pizzas from its solar-powered kitchen; in the spring and fall, call first to check hours.

Just south of the two bathhouses, the Laughing Lizard (Hwy. 4, 505/829-3108, $10) is also tasty, and open a bit more of the year than Consetta’s.

If you’re just craving a burger after your bath, head to Los Ojos Restaurant & Saloon (Hwy. 4, 505/829-3547, 11 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Sun.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Fri. and Sat., $8), where horseshoes double as window grills and the atmosphere hasn’t changed in decades.

If you’re planning to explore the wilderness and missed the Walatowa Visitors Center at Jemez Pueblo, you can stop at the Jemez Ranger District Office (Hwy. 4, 505/829-3535, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri.) for info.

There’s also a visitors center for Valles Caldera National Preserve (Hwy. 4, 505/661-3333, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Mon.–Fri.) here too—stop in to arrange reservations for the park, or to see if there are last-minute openings. Both are on the north edge of town.