Are There Hot SpringsAre there hot springs in Iowa?
No. No natural hot springs reach the surface in Iowa. Its one famous spring town, Colfax, ran on artesian mineral water at ordinary temperature, found by accident while drilling for coal, and the spa trade there ended by the 1930s.
The nearest water that surfaces hot is in Hot Springs, Arkansas, about 490 miles from Des Moines in a straight line, and Hot Springs, South Dakota, about 520 miles away. In Iowa, a warm soak means a whirlpool at a resort spa.
Hot springs nearest to Des Moines and Cedar Rapids
Iowa sits between two hot spring towns: Arkansas to the south and the Black Hills of South Dakota to the north-west.
| From | Nearest hot springs (straight line) | Next nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | Hot Springs, Arkansas490 miles | Hot Springs, South Dakota, 520 milesBoulder, Colorado, 620 miles |
| Cedar Rapids | Hot Springs, Arkansas520 miles | Hot Springs, South Dakota, 610 milesHot Springs, North Carolina, 630 miles |
From Des Moines the two are almost equally far, so pick by season: Evans Plunge in South Dakota is indoors and open all year, as are the bathhouses in Arkansas. Colorado's springs start at about 620 miles.
Colfax, the Spring City
In the fall of 1875, men boring for coal east of Colfax hit artesian mineral water instead. The find turned the small railroad town into a health resort: Colfax came to have 18 mineral springs, four bottling works and nine spa hotels, and visitors came for baths and treatments for rheumatism and other chronic complaints.
Most hotels drilled their own wells for drinking water and therapeutic baths, and by 1900 nearly 20 wells had been sunk. Hotels and sanitariums together had more than 1,000 rooms, and the largest, Hotel Colfax, registered 13,000 guests in 1900. In 1890 the Mason House hotel laid out a park around a spring by the railroad depot; it is Mineral Springs Park today.
World War I, the Depression and modern medicine ended the trade. In 1933 local volunteers and federal relief workers built the gazebo that still stands in Mineral Springs Park, and the old downtown is now listed on the National Register as the Spring City Downtown Historic District.
What to know before you soak in Iowa
Iowa's spring heritage is mineral water, not heat; its warm water today is in resort pools and whirlpools.
- In this guide
- 2 places
- Whirlpool hot tubs
- Grand Falls Spa, Larchwood
- Mineral water town
- Colfax, from 1875
- Nearest hot springs
- Hot Springs, Arkansas, about 490 miles from Des Moines
- Natural hot springs
- None
Iowa springs and spas
The park at the heart of Colfax's spa era, and a resort spa with whirlpools in the far north-west.
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Spring history
Mineral Springs Park
ColfaxThe downtown park of Colfax, a turn-of-the-century mineral water health resort.
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Resort spa
Grand Falls Spa
LarchwoodIndoor and outdoor pools, whirlpool hot tubs and an infrared sauna in Iowa's far north-west corner.
Map of springs and spas in Iowa
The map shows all 2 places we list in Iowa. Zoom in on the larger map for more detail.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Planning a soak in Iowa
When to visit
Mineral Springs Park is outdoors, so spring to fall is best; Colfax's Mineral Springs Days festival keeps the name alive. Grand Falls Spa's pools and whirlpools are open all year.
Costs
The park is free. Grand Falls Spa prices its facilities with treatments or stays; check what day guests can use.
Getting around
Colfax is about 25 minutes east of Des Moines off Interstate 80. Larchwood is in Iowa's far north-west corner, near Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Hot springs in Iowa: questions and answers
Are there hot springs near Des Moines?
No. The nearest are in Hot Springs, Arkansas, about 490 miles away, and Hot Springs, South Dakota, about 520 miles away, in a straight line.
Why is Colfax called the Spring City?
Mineral water was found there in 1875, and Colfax grew into a health resort with 18 mineral springs, four bottling works and nine spa hotels.
Can you still drink or bathe in Colfax mineral water?
No mineral baths operate today. Mineral Springs Park, with its 1933 gazebo, marks the old spa era.
Where can I soak in a warm pool in Iowa?
Grand Falls Spa in Larchwood has indoor and outdoor pools and whirlpool hot tubs.
Was the Colfax mineral water warm?
No. It came from artesian wells at ordinary temperature; the spa hotels heated it for baths.
Before you go
A short checklist.
- See the museum tooThe Colfax Historical Society museum covers the mineral water era.
- Ask about day passesResort whirlpools are often for hotel or spa guests only.
- Keep hot tubs at 104°F or belowThe CPSC limit for hot tubs; go lower for children.
Pictures of places to soak in Iowa
Photos of Mineral Springs Park, a place to soak 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.
Sources
Information here was checked on against the sources below.
- City of Colfax: History of Colfax (1875, 18 springs, nine spa hotels, 1933 gazebo)
- State Historical Society of Iowa: Colfax district added to the National Register (wells, 1,000 rooms, Mineral Springs Park)
- Travel Iowa: Colfax (Mineral Springs Days)
- Travel Iowa: The Colfax Historical Society and Museum (museum)
- Travel Iowa: Small-town spas in Iowa (Grand Falls Spa)
- NOAA: Thermal Springs List for the United States
- CPSC: Hot tub temperatures
More hot springs in the United States
Other states where we list hot springs.