Colorado hot springs
73 springs, hottest at the source is Hortense Hot Spring at 181°F. 3 are on public land.
Colorado does hot springs differently from the Great Basin states. Most of its soakable water was captured by resorts and town pools more than a century ago, so the typical Colorado soak is a clean, lifeguarded, fee-charging pool with a view of the mountains, often open year-round and best when it is snowing. The free primitive springs exist but are few, well known and tightly managed. This directory lists 73 Colorado springs, and the state tourism offices have organized the main towns into a signposted Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop with five anchor areas: Glenwood Springs, Steamboat Springs, Chaffee County, Pagosa Springs and Ouray.
Where the springs are
Glenwood Springs. Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, open since 1888, bills its main pool as the largest mineral hot springs pool in the world, kept around 90°F with a hotter therapy pool. Iron Mountain Hot Springs terraces a series of smaller pools along the Colorado River, and Yampah Spa runs natural vapor caves under the town. The directory entries Glenwood Springs, Glenwood Hot Springs Grand Pool and Yampah Source Spring all describe the same system; the source is recorded at 124°F. Five miles west, South Canyon Hot Springs is a free, muddy roadside pool that is the town’s unofficial alternative. Penny Hot Springs, on the Crystal River along Highway 133 toward Carbondale, is another free rock pool at river level that fills and empties with the runoff.
Steamboat Springs. Strawberry Park Hot Springs, in the hills above town, is a stone-walled series of creek-fed pools open year-round; Old Town Hot Springs is the in-town family pool. The directory’s Routt Hot Springs (147°F) is the Strawberry Park source. Radium Hot Springs near Kremmling and Juniper Hot Springs near Craig are the free, rough options on this side of the state; Hot Sulphur Springs Resort near Winter Park is the old spa town east of Kremmling.
Chaffee County (Buena Vista, Nathrop, Salida). The Arkansas Valley has the densest cluster of commercial pools: Mount Princeton Hot Springs with creekside rock pools and a resort, Cottonwood Hot Springs outside Buena Vista, the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center (an indoor municipal pool; the nearby Poncha Hot Springs source is recorded here at 160°F), plus newer small operators.
Pagosa Springs. The Springs Resort sits on its Mother Spring (the directory’s Pagosa hot springs, 136°F) with terraced pools stepping down to the San Juan River, and two other pool facilities draw from the same source. The free soaks are hikes: Piedra River Hot Springs, about 1.5 miles from the Sheep Creek trailhead, and Rainbow Hot Springs, a 4.5-mile walk into the Weminuche Wilderness.
Ouray and Ridgway. Ouray Hot Springs Pool is the town’s big outdoor pool below the canyon walls (source 156°F), Wiesbaden has a vapor cave and soaking pool, and Orvis Hot Springs in Ridgway is a clothing-optional, ponds-and-gardens soak that gets snowed on in the best way.
Durango and the southwest. Trimble Hot Springs north of Durango is the historic source behind today’s Durango Hot Springs resort; Dunton Hot Springs is a restored ghost town turned resort near Rico.
The San Luis Valley. Valley View Hot Springs near Moffat is a clothing-optional natural site with ponds in the foothills; Joyful Journey near Salida and Sand Dunes Pool in Hooper are family-oriented.
Front Range. Indian Hot Springs in Idaho Springs, an hour from Denver, is the closest soak to the city, with a covered pool and private baths.
Conundrum: the one that needs a permit
Conundrum Hot Springs, about 8.5 miles and roughly 2,500 vertical feet up Conundrum Creek from the trailhead near Aspen, in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness of the White River National Forest, is the most famous free spring in the state and the most regulated. Overnight stays anywhere in the Conundrum Hot Springs zone require a permit obtained in advance on recreation.gov, and the state trails office advises against attempting it as a day hike unless you are fit and experienced at that distance and altitude. The springs sit near 11,200 feet, so the season is short.
When to go
Winter is the signature season for the resort pools: steam, snowbanks and short lines on weekdays. Summer is for the hikes (Conundrum, Rainbow, Piedra) and for Penny and Radium once runoff drops, usually by midsummer.
Etiquette and safety
- Resort rules are posted and enforced: swimsuits and no glass at a minimum.
- Clothing optional is the norm only at Orvis, Valley View and the backcountry springs. Everywhere else, assume suits.
- Free river soaks like Penny and South Canyon are small; keep visits short when others are waiting, and pack out your trash, because closure is one complaint away.
- At altitude, hot water plus thin air plus alcohol is a bad combination. Hydrate, keep soaks short and get out slowly.
- Conundrum: get the permit, store food properly and practise strict Leave No Trace; the permit system exists because the site was being loved to death.
Practical logistics
Glenwood Springs is on Interstate 70 and has an Amtrak stop, so it is the easiest car-free hot springs town in the West. Steamboat is three hours from Denver; Salida and Buena Vista about two and a half; Pagosa and Ouray are six or more, so plan them as a loop with Durango. Book resort pools ahead on holiday weekends, when several sell timed entries.
Map
Springs by nearest town
Aspen
- Conundrum Hot Springs
near Aspen / 100°F (38°C) / Public land
Conundrum Hot Springs is a geothermal spring in a remote section of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness area of the White River National Forest in Colorado Rocky Mountains.
Buena Vista
- Cottonwood Hot Springs
near Buena Vista / 136°F (58°C) / Resort or commercial
Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn and Spa is a resort on naturally fed artesian hot spring water in the Colorado Rockies near Buena Vista, offering soaking passes, lodging and spa treatments. Bathing suits are required.
Creede
- Wagon Wheel Gap
near Creede / 135°F (57°C) / Resort or commercial
Wagon Wheel Gap is a gap and ghost town alongside the Rio Grande River, 7.5 miles (12.1 km) southeast of Creede Mineral County, Colorado. Wagon Wheel Gap, on the Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway (Colorado State Highway 149), is at 8,468 feet (2,581 m) in altitude.
Dolores
- Dunton Hot Springs
near Dolores / 108°F (42°C) / Resort or commercial
Dunton Hot Springs is a geothermal mineral spring located at an elevation of 8,921 feet (2,719 m) in the San Juan Mountains of Dolores County, Colorado, United States. The springs lie 35 miles (56 km) northeast of Cortez, and 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Telluride.
Durango
- Trimble Hot Spr, Stratten Warm Spr
near Durango / 97°F (36°C) / Resort or commercial
Trimble Hot Springs is now the site of Durango Hot Springs Resort and Spa, 8 miles north of downtown Durango in the Animas Valley near Trimble Lane, with more than 30 mineral-water soaking experiences at varying temperatures, open daily 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Glenwood Springs
- Glenwood Hot Springs Grand Pool
near Glenwood Springs / Private property
Glenwood Hot Springs Grand Pool is a geothermal spring in Colorado (near Glenwood Springs).
- Glenwood Springs
near Glenwood Springs / 124°F (51°C) / Resort or commercial
Glenwood Springs is a home rule municipality and the county seat of Garfield County, Colorado, United States. According to the 2020 United States census, the city has a population of 9,963.
- Iron Mountain Hot Springs
near Glenwood Springs / Unknown
The Iron Mountain Hot Springs is a therapeutic, natural hot springs resort located on the banks of the Colorado River in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
- Sacred Waters
near Glenwood Springs / Private property
Sacred Waters is a geothermal spring in Colorado (near Glenwood Springs).
Hartsel
- Hartsel Hot Springs
near Hartsel / 126°F (52°C) / Private property
Hartsel Hot Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado (near Hartsel, Park County) with a recorded surface temperature of 126°F (52°C).
Hot Sulphur Springs
- Hot Sulphur Springs
near Hot Sulphur Springs / 111°F (44°C) / Resort or commercial
Hot Sulphur Springs is a statutory town and the county seat of Grand County, Colorado, United States. The town is located near Byers Canyon between Granby and Kremmling, 95 miles (153 km) northwest of Denver and 30 miles (48 km) northwest of Winter Park.
Idaho Springs
- Idaho Springs
near Idaho Springs / 115°F (46°C) / Unknown
Idaho Springs is a statutory city in Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States. Located in Clear Creek Canyon in the mountains upstream from Golden, it lies some 30 miles (50 km) west of Denver.
- Indian Hot Springs
near Idaho Springs / Unknown
Indian Hot Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado (near Idaho Springs).
Moffat
- Hot Springs
near Moffat / 140°F (60°C) / Resort or commercial
Hot springs town in Colorado
- Valley View Hot Springs
near Moffat / 99°F (37°C) / Resort or commercial
Valley View Hot Springs is operated by the Orient Land Trust as a clothing-optional naturist open space at 8,600 to 9,000 feet in the northern San Luis Valley, with natural soaking ponds, camping and cabins. Reservations are recommended because daily visitor numbers are limited.
Nathrop
- Mount Princeton Hot Springs
near Nathrop / 133°F (56°C) / Resort or commercial
Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort is a historic year-round resort in Nathrop, between Buena Vista and Salida, with hot spring pools and natural creekside soaking spots along Chalk Creek below the Chalk Cliffs. It is open daily to the public with day passes.
Ouray
- Ouray Hot Springs
near Ouray / 156°F (69°C) / Public land
The Ouray Hot Springs Pool is a city-run sulfur-free hot springs swimming complex on Main Street in Ouray, with soaking pools from about 95 to 106 degrees F, a lap pool and an activity pool. Ouray's springs emerge along the Uncompahgre River at 80 to 150 degrees F.
Pagosa Springs
- Pagosa hot springs
near Pagosa Springs / 136°F (58°C) / Resort or commercial
Pagosa hot springs (Ute: Pah gosah) is a hot spring system located in the San Juan Basin of Archuleta County, Colorado. The town of Pagosa Springs claim they are the world's deepest known geothermal hot springs.
Poncha Springs
- Poncha Hot Springs
near Poncha Springs / 160°F (71°C) / Unknown
Poncha Hot Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado (near Poncha Springs, Chaffee County) with a recorded surface temperature of 160°F (71°C).
Redstone
- Penny Hot Springs
near Redstone / 133°F (56°C) / Private property
Penny Hot Springs is a geothermal spring located near the historic mining town of Redstone, Colorado.
Ridgway
- Orvis Hot Springs
near Ridgway / 126°F (52°C) / Resort or commercial
Orvis Hot Springs is a clothing-optional natural hot springs resort in Ridgway at the base of the San Juan Mountains, with indoor and outdoor soaking areas ranging from 65 to 112 degrees F plus lodging and camping.
Steamboat Springs
- Routt Hot Springs
near Steamboat Springs / 147°F (64°C) / Resort or commercial
Strawberry Park Hot Springs is a developed natural hot springs resort in the hills above Steamboat Springs with stone-lined soaking pools, cabins and camping. Pool visits are by reservation, and clothing is optional after dark, when minors are not admitted.
- Steamboat Springs
near Steamboat Springs / 102°F (39°C) / Public land
Steamboat Springs is a home rule municipality that is the county seat of and the most populous municipality in Routt County, Colorado, United States. The population was 13,224 at the 2020 census.
Other locations
- Antelope Spring
90°F (32°C) / Unknown
Antelope Spring is a geothermal spring in Colorado with a recorded surface temperature of 90°F (32°C).
- Birdsie Warm Spring
Mineral County / 86°F (30°C) / Unknown
Birdsie Warm Spring is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Mineral County) with a recorded surface temperature of 86°F (30°C).
- Browns Canyon Warm Spring
Chaffee County / 77°F (25°C) / Unknown
Browns Canyon Warm Spring is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Chaffee County) with a recorded surface temperature of 77°F (25°C).
- Browns Grotto Warm Spring
Chaffee County / 73°F (23°C) / Unknown
Browns Grotto Warm Spring is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Chaffee County) with a recorded surface temperature of 73°F (23°C).
- Canon City Hot Springs
Fremont County / 104°F (40°C) / Unknown
Canon City Hot Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Fremont County) with a recorded surface temperature of 104°F (40°C).
- Cebolla Hot Springs
Gunnison County / 106°F (41°C) / Unknown
Cebolla Hot Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Gunnison County) with a recorded surface temperature of 106°F (41°C).
- Cement Creek Hot Spring
Gunnison County / 77°F (25°C) / Unknown
Cement Creek Hot Spring is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Gunnison County) with a recorded surface temperature of 77°F (25°C).
- Charlotte Hot Springs & Botanical Gardens
Unknown
Charlotte Hot Springs & Botanical Gardens is a geothermal spring in Colorado.
- Chattanooga Hot Spring
San Juan County / Unknown
Chattanooga Hot Spring is a geothermal spring in Colorado (San Juan County).
- Dakota Hot Springs
Unknown
Dakota Hot Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado.
- Dexter Spring
68°F (20°C) / Unknown
Dexter Spring is a geothermal spring in Colorado with a recorded surface temperature of 68°F (20°C).
- Dotsero Warm Springs
Eagle County / 90°F (32°C) / Unknown
Dotsero Warm Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Eagle County) with a recorded surface temperature of 90°F (32°C).
- Durango Hot Springs
Unknown
Durango Hot Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado.
- Eldorado Springs
79°F (26°C) / Unknown
Eldorado Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado with a recorded surface temperature of 79°F (26°C).
- Geyser Warm Spring
Dolores County / 82°F (28°C) / Unknown
Geyser Warm Spring is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Dolores County) with a recorded surface temperature of 82°F (28°C).
- Glenwood Hot Springs Pool
Unknown
hot springs in Colorado, United States
- Hortense Hot Spring
Chaffee County / 181°F (83°C) / Unknown
Hortense Hot Spring is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Chaffee County) with a recorded surface temperature of 181°F (83°C).
- Hot Springs
Archuleta County / Unknown
Hot Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Archuleta County).
- Hot Springs
Mineral County / Unknown
Hot Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Mineral County).
- Juniper Hot Springs
Moffat County / 100°F (38°C) / Unknown
Juniper Hot Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Moffat County) with a recorded surface temperature of 100°F (38°C).
- Lemon Hot Spring
San Miguel County / 91°F (33°C) / Unknown
Lemon Hot Spring is a geothermal spring in Colorado (San Miguel County) with a recorded surface temperature of 91°F (33°C).
- Lower Waunita Hot Springs
Gunnison County / 167°F (75°C) / Unknown
Lower Waunita Hot Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Gunnison County) with a recorded surface temperature of 167°F (75°C).
- Manitou Mineral Springs
Unknown
Manitou Mineral Springs are natural mineral springs in Manitou Springs, Colorado and Cheyenne Spring House is on the National Register of Historic Places. The springs are located in one of the country's largest National Historic Districts.
- Mother Lode
Private property
Mother Lode is a geothermal spring in Colorado.
- Paradise
Private property
Paradise is a geothermal spring in Colorado.
- Paradise Warm Spring
Dolores County / 115°F (46°C) / Unknown
Paradise Warm Spring is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Dolores County) with a recorded surface temperature of 115°F (46°C).
- Piedra River Hot Springs
Archuleta County / 108°F (42°C) / Unknown
Piedra River Hot Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Archuleta County) with a recorded surface temperature of 108°F (42°C).
- Pinkerton Hot Springs
La Plata County / 90°F (32°C) / Unknown
Pinkerton Hot Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado (La Plata County) with a recorded surface temperature of 90°F (32°C).
- Radium Hot Springs
Grand County / Unknown
Radium Hot Springs is a thermal mineral spring near the small town of Radium, Colorado, located halfway between Kremmling and State Bridge, in Grand County, Colorado.
- Rainbow Hot Springs
Mineral County / 104°F (40°C) / Unknown
Rainbow Hot Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Mineral County) with a recorded surface temperature of 104°F (40°C).
- Ranger Hot Spring
Gunnison County / 81°F (27°C) / Unknown
Ranger Hot Spring is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Gunnison County) with a recorded surface temperature of 81°F (27°C).
- Rhodes Warm Springs
Park County / 75°F (24°C) / Unknown
Rhodes Warm Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Park County) with a recorded surface temperature of 75°F (24°C).
- Rico 1
Private property
Rico 1 is a geothermal spring in Colorado.
- Rico 2
Private property
Rico 2 is a geothermal spring in Colorado.
- Santa Maria warm spring
Park County / Unknown
The EM Ranch is a site of springs that was homesteaded and became a hay, cattle and sheep ranch in Park County, Colorado, United States, near Harstel. Established in 1874, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
- Shaw Springs
86°F (30°C) / Unknown
Shaw Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado with a recorded surface temperature of 86°F (30°C).
- South Canyon Hot Springs
Garfield County / 118°F (48°C) / Unknown
South Canyon Hot Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Garfield County) with a recorded surface temperature of 118°F (48°C).
- Stinking Springs
81°F (27°C) / Unknown
Stinking Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado with a recorded surface temperature of 81°F (27°C).
- Stratten Warm Spring
La Plata County / Unknown
Stratten Warm Spring is a geothermal spring in Colorado (La Plata County).
- Strawberry Park Hot Springs
Unknown
Strawberry Park Hot Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado.
- Swissvale Warm Springs
Fremont County / 82°F (28°C) / Unknown
Swissvale Warm Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Fremont County) with a recorded surface temperature of 82°F (28°C).
- The Mother Spring
Unknown
The Mother Spring is a geothermal spring in Colorado.
- Trimble Hot Springs
La Plata County / Unknown
Trimble Hot Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado (La Plata County).
- Tripp Hot Springs
La Plata County / 111°F (44°C) / Unknown
Tripp Hot Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado (La Plata County) with a recorded surface temperature of 111°F (44°C).
- Upper Waunita Hot Springs
Gunnison County / 176°F (80°C) / Unknown
Upper Waunita Hot Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Gunnison County) with a recorded surface temperature of 176°F (80°C).
- Warm Spring
Mesa County / Unknown
Warm Spring is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Mesa County).
- Warm Springs
Moffat County / Unknown
Warm Springs is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Moffat County).
- Wellsville Warm Spring
Fremont County / 91°F (33°C) / Unknown
Wellsville Warm Spring is a geothermal spring in Colorado (Fremont County) with a recorded surface temperature of 91°F (33°C).
- Wiesbaden Hot Springs
Unknown
Wiesbaden Hot Springs is a group of three thermal springs and a vapor cave in Ouray, Colorado. The spring water flows from the source at 118 °F (48 °C) and is cooled to between 99 and 108 °F (37 and 42 °C) in the soaking pools.
- Yampah Source Spring
Private property
Yampah Source Spring is a geothermal spring in Colorado.