Entry No. 40 — the San Antonio file — filed under: ruins

Hot Wells Hotel Ruins

Once a premier 19th-century luxury resort where celebrities like Charlie Chaplin and Teddy Roosevelt bathed in therapeutic sulfur waters, the Hot Wells Hotel was repeatedly devastated by fires before falling into complete decay. Today, the stabilized, roofless brick facades and bathhouse foundations are preserved as the centerpiece of a public county park. Visitors can admire the striking, window-lined ruins from paved walking paths along the San Antonio River.

The move: Take a scenic walk along the paved paths of the county park to photograph the dramatic, fenced-off brick ruins, then continue your stroll along the adjacent San Antonio River Walk Mission Reach trail.

📍 Before you go The ruins are located within a free, public Bexar County park, but the crumbling structures themselves are fenced off for safety and cannot be entered.

• 📍 San Antonio
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: 5503 S Presa St, San Antonio, TX 78214, USA

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current access before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: bexar.org · Wikipedia

last checked: 2026-07-20