Essence of Tranquility

What to expect

Essence of Tranquility is a small, owner-run mineral spring on Lebanon Loop Road, in the farm country south of Safford. It calls itself a campground, and that is the right frame. There is some grass, mesquite, palms, eucalyptus and papyrus around a small pond, and you can see Mount Graham from the campground. The operator’s own website goes out of its way to warn people that this is a country place out in the desert, not a city day spa, and that it is earthy and always has some maintenance going on.

The water comes from a well drilled in 1949. It flows into each tub on its own line and drains away. Nothing is recycled or filtered, and the operator says the water has been tested regularly since the well was drilled.

The six tubs each have a theme and a name:

• Waterfall Room (private), 102°F39°C
• The Cave (private), 102°F39°C
• Blue Lagoon (open and communal), 98°F37°C
• Asian Trek (private), 104°F40°C
• Rome Vacation (private), 104°F40°C
• For the Love of Music (private), 104°F40°C

The private rooms have doors that close and are clothing optional inside. The communal Blue Lagoon is outdoors and needs a swimsuit. None of the tubs is very hot, so this is a place for a long, slow soak rather than a quick scald. There are sitting areas between soaks, a communal living room with Wi-Fi, a shared kitchen and barbecues.

Massage, reflexology and cupping are offered in private rooms by independent therapists. Book those at least a day ahead.

Getting there

Essence of Tranquility is about 6.5 miles south of central Safford, just west of US 191. The operator’s directions:

• From Phoenix: Take US 70 east all the way to Safford. Near the east side of town, turn right (south) onto US 191 at the corner with the gas station. Drive about 6.5 miles to Lebanon Road and turn right. After about a quarter mile the road bends 90 degrees to the left. Follow it around for another quarter mile, and Essence of Tranquility is on the right.
• From Tucson: Take I-10 east past Willcox to exit 352, about 11 miles east of Willcox. Turn left at the stop sign onto US 191 north. Just past milepost 115, turn left onto Cactus Road. The first road on the right, about a quarter mile in, is Lebanon Loop. Turn right and go about a quarter mile north. The property is on the left.

The address is 6074 S Lebanon Loop Road, Safford. There is a small front window office if you prefer not to go into the main office, which usually smells of massage oil and incense.

When to go

The Safford area is hot in summer and mild in winter. October to April is the best time for an outdoor tub in the afternoon or evening. Winter nights get cold, which makes the private rooms feel good.

In summer (June 1 to September 1) the office and treatment hours shrink to 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday. The tubs keep their normal hours, but check by phone.

The tubs are closed on Sundays and Mondays, and the phone is not answered on those days. Plan a soak for Tuesday to Saturday.

Prices and booking

All prices are from the operator’s website (lodging page updated October 2025).

Tubs (per person):

• Up to 1 hour: $15
• Up to 2 hours: $25
• Up to 3 hours (the maximum): $35

Lodging (per night):

• Casita #10, 1 or 2 people: $50
• Casita #12, up to 3 people: $60
• Casita #14, up to 4 people: $70
• Casitas #16 and #18, 1 or 2 people: $60
• Octagonal bunkhouse, three full-size bunks, sleeps up to 12: $200 for private use or $25 per person as a hostel
• Tent, car or small van sites (three of them, no hookups): $20 per person. Larger rigs can park in the lot, also with no hookups.

All overnight stays include tub use. Casitas have beds, heat, air conditioning, a microwave and a fridge, but no bathroom. Shared restrooms and showers are a short walk away. Check-in is after 2 p.m. and check-out is by 11 a.m.

Treatments: a 1-hour massage or reflexology session is $65 and a half hour is $35. Cupping is $65.

Booking: Lodging and camping need a reservation, made by phone at (928) 428-9312, and a credit card to hold it. There are no drop-in overnight stays. Cancel at least two days before arrival or you pay for at least one night. Treatments cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice are charged in full.

House rules:

• Bring your own towels and something to drink.
• No glass, alcohol, drugs or smoking.
• No open nudity outside the closed private rooms.
• No children under 12 in the tubs, and no more than four people per group.
• Dogs are welcome on a leash. Pick up after them, and keep them out of the kitchen and rec room.

Where to stay nearby

The simplest plan is to stay on site, since a casita costs little more than a long soak for two. Beyond that:

• Roper Lake State Park is about a mile east, off US 191, with a campground on the lake.
• Dankworth Pond, a few miles south, is a day-use state park unit with fishing and a short trail. It has no camping or soaking.
• Safford, 15 minutes north, has chain motels, restaurants and groceries.

Safety notes

• Heat and alcohol: The tubs top out at 104°F40°C, which is comfortable, but long soaks still dehydrate you. Drink water, and remember alcohol is banned anyway.
• Summer: Afternoon air temperatures in the Gila Valley are high from June to September. Soak early or after dark.
• Footing: Paths between the tubs, restrooms and casitas are outdoors. Bring sandals and a flashlight for night trips to the shared bathrooms.
• Old reviews: Some older third-party listings quote very low prices from the 2000s. Use the operator’s current rates above, and note that the old .com domain matching the business name is now listed for sale by a domain broker. The current site is azhotmineralspring.com.