Hot Springs in Colorado

Are there hot springs in Colorado?

Yes, dozens. Colorado's hot springs run through the Rocky Mountains, from Strawberry Park and Glenwood Springs in the north to Buena Vista, Pagosa Springs, Durango and Ouray in the south, and range from big town pools to free wilderness soaks.

Most are developed: resorts, lodges and city-run pools that charge admission. A handful are free and natural, such as Penny Hot Springs on the Crystal River and Conundrum Hot Springs, reached on an 8.5-mile hike near Aspen. Pagosa Springs is home to the Mother Spring, which Guinness World Records certified in 2011 as the world's deepest geothermal hot spring, measured at 1,002 feet with a plumb line.

Hot springs in Colorado map

The map shows all 51 hot springs we cover in Colorado. Zoom in on the larger map for more detail.

Best hot springs in Colorado

The Colorado hot springs most visitors plan a trip around, from resort pools to wilderness soaks.

• Resort

  Strawberry Park Hot Springs

  Steamboat Springs

  Stone pools at 103–107°F beside a creek; cash only, and every visit needs a reservation.

• Public pool

  Glenwood Hot Springs Pool

  Glenwood Springs

  A huge town pool off I-70: the Grand Pool runs 90–93°F and the therapy pool 104°F.

• Resort

  The Springs Resort and Spa

  Pagosa Springs

  Dozens of terraced pools on the San Juan River, fed by the record-deep Mother Spring.

• Public pool

  Ouray Hot Springs Pool

  Ouray

  City-run outdoor pools with odor-free mineral water in a box canyon town.

• Resort

  Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort

  Buena Vista

  Resort pools on Chalk Creek, where you can also soak in the creek itself.

• Natural

  Conundrum Hot Springs

  Near Aspen

  Wilderness pools at 11,200 ft after an 8.5-mile hike; camping needs a permit.

• Natural

  Penny Hot Springs

  Near Carbondale

  Free rock pools on the edge of the Crystal River, just below Highway 133.

• Soaking pools

  Iron Mountain Hot Springs

  Glenwood Springs

  Small pools at different temperatures beside the Colorado River.

Famous hot springs in Colorado

All 51 hot springs we list in Colorado, A to Z, from city pools to wilderness soaks.

• Private cabins

  Antero Hot Springs Cabins, Colorado

  Three historic cabins in Chalk Creek Canyon, each with a private hot spring pool.

• Private rental

  Aqua Hot Spring, Colorado

  Private cabin on Chalk Creek with its own geothermal pool, for up to six guests.

• Ranch

  Avalanche Ranch Cabins & Hot Springs, Colorado

  Ranch on the Crystal River with three tiered hot pools and cabins; book a soak ahead.

• Natural

  Birdsie Warm Spring, Colorado

  Remote warm spring of about 86°F at nearly 9,000 ft in the San Juan Mountains.

• Lodge

  Box Canyon Lodge, Colorado

  Ouray hotel with hot spring tubs on a mountainside deck, for overnight guests only.

• Resort

  Charlotte Hot Springs, Colorado

  Small hot springs retreat near Buena Vista with three mineral pools and gardens.

• Natural

  Conundrum Hot Springs, Colorado

  Wilderness pools at 11,200 ft, an 8.5-mile hike in from near Aspen; overnight stays need a permit.

• Resort

  Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa, Colorado

  Laid-back mineral springs west of Buena Vista with stone pools, cabins and a sauna.

• Naturist resort

  Dakota Hot Springs, Colorado

  Clothing-optional hot springs near Penrose with a large outdoor pool and camping.

• Naturist resort

  Desert Reef Hot Springs, Colorado

  Clothing-optional hot springs near Florence, fed by an artesian well more than 1,000 ft deep.

• Resort

  Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado

  Restored mining ghost town turned luxury resort, with hot springs and log cabins.

• Resort

  Durango Hot Springs, Colorado

  Large resort north of Durango with more than 30 outdoor pools and separate adult areas.

• Public pool

  Eldorado Springs Pool, Colorado

  Spring-fed swimming pool in Eldorado Canyon near Boulder, open since 1905, summer only.

• View only

  Geyser Warm Spring, Colorado

  Colorado's only true geyser, on a forest trail near Dunton. It gives off gas, so look but don't soak.

• Public pool

  Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, Colorado

  Huge town pool off I-70: the Grand Pool runs 90–93°F and the therapy pool 104°F.

• Resort

  Healing Waters Resort & Spa, Colorado

  Family-owned resort in downtown Pagosa with an outdoor pool, hot tub and indoor baths.

• Resort

  Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa, Colorado

  Year-round resort with more than 20 chemical-free pools and private baths, plus lodging.

• Resort

  Indian Hot Springs, Colorado

  Historic Idaho Springs resort with an indoor mineral pool, outdoor tubs and geothermal cave baths.

• Soaking pools

  Iron Mountain Hot Springs, Colorado

  Small soaking pools of different temperatures on the Colorado River, plus a family pool.

• Spa

  Joyful Journey Hot Springs, Colorado

  Year-round spa in the San Luis Valley with three chemical-free pools, yurts and rooms.

• Rustic pools

  Juniper Hot Springs, Colorado

  Rustic springs on the Yampa River in Moffat County, with pools and campsites.

• Natural

  Lemon Hot Spring, Colorado

  Undeveloped warm spring on the San Miguel River, about 90°F, with no facilities.

• Private cabins

  Merrifield Homestead Cabins, Colorado

  Two old homestead cabins on Cottonwood Creek, each with its own hot spring pool.

• Resort

  Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, Colorado

  Big resort on Chalk Creek with pools, waterslides, lodging and soaking in the creek itself.

• Natural

  Nathan's Hippy Dip Hot Spring, Colorado

  Free rock-walled pools on the San Juan River in downtown Pagosa Springs, with no facilities.

• Public pool

  Old Town Hot Springs, Colorado

  Community hot springs in downtown Steamboat with mineral pools, two waterslides and a climbing wall.

• Naturist resort

  Orvis Hot Springs, Colorado

  Clothing-optional resort near Ridgway with untreated, lithium-rich pools and rooms.

• Public pool

  Ouray Hot Springs Pool, Colorado

  City-run outdoor pools in Ouray with odor-free mineral water and an adults-only area.

• Spa

  Overlook Hot Springs Spa, Colorado

  Victorian bathhouse in downtown Pagosa with indoor pools and rooftop tubs over the river.

• View only

  Pagosa Hot Springs (Mother Spring), Colorado

  The Mother Spring, certified as the world's deepest geothermal hot spring; it feeds the town's pools.

• Natural

  Penny Hot Springs, Colorado

  Free rock pools on the edge of the Crystal River, right below Highway 133.

• Natural

  Piedra River Hot Springs, Colorado

  Free rock-lined pools on the Piedra River, a 1.5-mile hike from the trailhead.

• Roadside spring

  Pinkerton Hot Springs, Colorado

  Roadside spring beside US 550, known for its orange mineral mound.

• Natural

  Radium Hot Springs, Colorado

  Free warm pool on a ledge above the Colorado River, a short hike from a BLM trailhead.

• Natural

  Rainbow Hot Springs, Colorado

  Free pools of 95–105°F in the Weminuche Wilderness, a 4.5-mile hike each way.

• Private soak

  Raspberry Hot Springs, Colorado

  Private stone pool on a mountain ranch above Idaho Springs, by reservation only.

• Natural

  Rhodes Warm Spring, Colorado

  Warm seep above 10,000 ft near Fairplay, reached by a moderate hike.

• Public pool

  Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center, Colorado

  City-run indoor hot springs pool in Salida, with lap and leisure pools and private baths.

• Public pool

  Sand Dunes Pool, Colorado

  Hot springs pool near Great Sand Dunes with a family pool, therapy pool and adults-only greenhouse.

• Natural

  South Canyon Hot Springs, Colorado

  Free primitive pools on a hillside west of Glenwood, a short walk up; clothing optional.

• Public pool

  Splashland Hot Springs, Colorado

  Seasonal outdoor hot springs pool in Alamosa, open from late spring through summer.

• Resort

  Strawberry Park Hot Springs, Colorado

  Stone pools at 103–107°F beside a creek in the woods; cash only, and every visit needs a reservation.

• Natural

  Swissvale Warm Spring, Colorado

  Free roadside warm spring of about 82°F beside US 50, with no facilities.

• Resort

  The Springs Resort and Spa, Colorado

  Dozens of terraced pools on the San Juan River in Pagosa Springs; day passes available.

• Private rental

  Treehouse Hot Springs, Colorado

  Treehouse lodge on Chalk Creek with its own private hot spring pool, for groups.

• Lodge

  Twin Peaks Lodge and Hot Springs, Colorado

  Ouray hotel with mineral pools, a vapor cave and a sauna, for overnight guests only.

• Naturist resort

  Valley View Hot Springs, Colorado

  Clothing-optional springs on a land trust, with natural ponds on a hillside above the San Luis Valley.

• Ranch

  Wagon Wheel Gap Hot Springs, Colorado

  Historic springs on a working ranch near Creede, for overnight guests only, June to October.

• Ranch

  Waunita Hot Springs Ranch, Colorado

  Family-run guest ranch east of Gunnison with a large hot spring pool.

• Lodge

  Wiesbaden Hot Springs Spa and Lodgings, Colorado

  Historic Ouray lodge with an underground vapor cave, a mineral pool and a private soaking tub.

• Spa

  Yampah Hot Springs and Vapor Caves, Colorado

  Day spa built over natural underground steam caves, with mineral baths and treatments.

Seasons, costs and access in Colorado

Seasons

Autumn to spring is the classic season for resort pools, and a winter soak in the snow is a Colorado favourite. Wilderness springs like Conundrum and Rainbow are best from July to September, once the snow has melted from the trails.

Entry fees

Resorts, lodges and town pools charge admission, and several, including Strawberry Park, need a reservation. Natural springs on public land such as Penny and South Canyon are free. Camping at Conundrum needs a paid overnight permit from Recreation.gov; day hikers don't need one.

Access and travel

Indian Hot Springs in Idaho Springs is under an hour west of Denver on I-70. Glenwood Springs is about three hours west, Steamboat Springs about three hours north-west, and Pagosa Springs, Durango and Ouray are five to six hours away in the south-west. The Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop links eight hot springs destinations into one road trip.

Colorado hot spring etiquette and rules

Rules vary from resort to wilderness, but these apply at almost every Colorado hot spring.

• Leave dogs at home for ConundrumDogs are not allowed in the Conundrum Hot Springs permit zone.
• Book aheadPopular resorts sell out on weekends and holidays, and Strawberry Park takes reservations only.
• Prepare for winter roadsStrawberry Park needs a 4WD vehicle with snow tires or chains from November 1 to May 1.
• Keep your face out of the waterHealth officials advise against dunking your head in natural hot water, because of a rare amoeba.
• Check the clothing ruleResorts and pools need swimwear. Valley View, Orvis and some others are clothing optional, and some primitive springs are by custom.
• Pack it outNatural pools have no bins or toilets. Carry out all trash, and at Conundrum use a bear canister for food.

Hot springs in Colorado FAQ

Pictures of hot springs in Colorado

Photos of Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, Ouray Hot Springs Pool, Conundrum Hot Springs and Iron Mountain Hot Springs, all hot springs in this guide. We only use photos whose license allows reuse and credit the photographer under each one. The full credits are on our photo credits page.

Other states with hot springs

Pick another state to keep exploring.

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• Oregon
• South Dakota
• Texas
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• Virginia
• Washington
• Wyoming

See all hot springs in the United States