New Mexico is home to unparalleled natural beauty, and while you will find plenty of beauty hidden in plain sight, sometimes you need to work for it. Such is the case with the breathtaking East Fork Trail in New Mexico that leads to one of prettiest hot springs in the Land of Enchantment. Ready for an epic New Mexico hike that provides both a strenuous workout and relaxation? Great, let's lace up those hiking boots and dig in!

Welcome to the McCauley Hot Spring, a relaxing retreat hiding in the middle of a New Mexico forest.

You will find the trailhead for the McCauley Hot Spring at the Battleship Rock Day Use Area, where you will follow the trail with round markers attached to the trees. When you come to a fork in the trail, you will head to the right.

The East Fork Trail difficulty rating, per AllTrails, is moderate. It's 3.1 miles out and back.

Be sure to stop and admire the views along the way — and maybe even snap a few photographs!

Following switchbacks up the side of the mountain, the moderate 3.6-mile trail is steep, but it’s all worth it when you reach your destination.

Surrounded by a lush forest and featuring crystalline water, these two striking hot springs are just begging for you to jump in and unwind.

Luckily, the water here is warm rather than toasty, making it an idyllic spot to kick back and relax, even in the summer heat.

(Pro tip: water in the upper pool is warmer than the lower one.)

Don't forget to wear a swimsuit under your hiking gear, and load up your backpack with a towel and plenty of water.

Once you're done soaking, it's time to head back the way you came. Luckily, after all that relaxation, it's downhill from here.

Can you imagine a better way to spend your day off than with a magnificent hike and a soak in a local hot spring? We certainly can't.

For a trail preview, East Fork Trail photos and East Fork Trail reviews, check out AllTrails Plus, where you can also download maps for offline use when you don't have cell service. And if you're looking for more incredible hikes to add to your New Mexico bucket list, check out our previous article. Have you hiked the East Fork Trail in New Mexico to McCauley Hot Springs? Let us know in the comments.