In 1892, an artesian well was drilled on land near Mission San José that contained 104-degree sulphur water with medicinal benefits.

In its heyday, Hot Wells Hotel, a 190-room resort built adjacent to the thermal springs, hosted the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Rudolph Valentino, Sarah Bernhardt, Douglas Fairbanks Sr., Tom Mix and Will Rogers.

Multiple fires and years of neglect destroyed the once grand resort until James Lifshutz, a local real estate developer, purchased the land in 1999 and deeded the majority of it to Bexar County to create a 4-acre park.

The same year the park opened, 2019, Lifshutz drilled a new well on adjacent acreage at 5423 Hot Wells Way, tapping into the 1,800-feet below ground thermal springs.

Residents and visitors may once again “take the waters” at Hot Wells. Sit and soak your feet with fellow visitors at Camp Hot Wells while enjoying local craft beers, natural wines and snacks from their concession stand.

Make reservations in advance for one of two private soaking suites. Enjoyment of a private garden along the banks of the San Antonio River is included in the price of the 1-hour rental. Group rentals for up to 10 guests are also available.

Denise Barkis Richter, Ph.D., has been blogging about San Antonio since June of 2010. Follow her at facebook.com/SanAntonioTourist so that you’ll never miss a post. Her love affair with the Alamo City began at Hemisfair in 1968. She moved to San Antonio in 1979 as an 18-year-old college student, and San Antonio has been her home ever since. Denise completed certification to become a professional tour guide in 2019. Please contact her at sanantoniotourist at gmail dot com if you’d like for her to curate a fabulous San Antonio experience for you!