Stinking Springs is a toponym that refers to multiple geographic locations in the United States, most notably a historic ranch and way station in New Mexico associated with Billy the Kid, as well as several geothermal springs across the American West.
Stinking Springs, New Mexico (Historical Site)
Stinking Springs was a ranch and overnight way station for cattle drivers and shepherds located near the present site of Taiban, New Mexico, in De Baca County. The location derived its name from sulfur gas and steam emanating from underground volcanic activity, producing a strong odor.
On December 23, 1880, Sheriff Pat Garrett and his posse tracked Billy the Kid and the Regulators to a stone hut at Stinking Springs. The ensuing shoot-out resulted in the death of Charlie Bowdre and the capture of Billy the Kid, Dave Rudabaugh, Tom Pickett, and Billy Wilson. The cabin was a one-room structure with no windows and a single door. Only the foundation remains at the site today. The event is a well-known incident in the history of the American Old West.
A musical production titled The Lighter Side of Stinking Springs centers around the stonehouse, and includes a song called "The Ballad of Stinking Springs."
Stinking Hot Springs, Utah
Also known as Stinky Springs or Old Indian Hot Springs, this is a set of geothermally heated natural springs located in Box Elder County, Utah, approximately 6 miles southwest of Bear River City. The springs produce a strong odor of hydrogen sulfide gas, which is the source of the name. The water temperature ranges from 113–124 °F (45–51 °C) and is highly mineralized, containing elevated levels of sodium chloride, lithium, bromide, iodide, and radium. The site was documented by settlers in 1868 and a covered bathhouse operated there until approximately 2000, when it was demolished following a fatality attributed to gas accumulation in the enclosed structure. The land is privately owned, but public access has historically been permitted at no charge.
Stinking Springs, Idaho (Recreation Area)
The Stinking Springs Multiple Use Area in eastern Idaho is a designated trail system used by ATV riders, hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. Located near Ririe, Idaho, and managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the motorized trail is 4.7 miles one-way with a non-motorized trail of 2.7 miles. The area is seasonally closed to accommodate wintering mule deer and is typically open from May 1 through November 30.
Other Locations
Additional locations bearing the name "Stinking Springs" include a warm spring (81 °F / 27 °C) in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico (near the Colorado border), and a hot spring (101 °F / 38 °C) in Tehama County, California. These are naturally occurring thermal features named for their sulfurous odor. There is also a Stinking Springs in San Juan County, New Mexico, classified as a spring on geographic records.
The name "Stinking Springs" is consistently derived from the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas or other sulfur compounds that produce a noticeable, unpleasant odor, characteristic of many geothermal and mineral spring environments.
