Are There Hot Springs

Hot Springs in Nebraska: Victoria Springs and the Nearest Hot Water

Nebraska had a mineral spa in the Sandhills and, in 1907, a warm artesian plunge bath, but there are no natural hot springs in Nebraska. Here is that history, how close South Dakota's and Colorado's hot springs are, and three places to visit or soak.

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Nebraska: the essentials

Nebraska's spring water was cool and sold by the bottle; the hot springs nearest to it are in the Black Hills and Colorado.

Nearest hot springs
Hot Springs, South Dakota, about 210 miles from North Platte
In this guide
3 places
Old spa
Victoria Springs, near Anselmo
State recreation area since
1925
Natural hot springs
None

Are there hot springs in Nebraska?

No. Nebraska has no hot springs of its own. Victoria Springs, in the Sandhills near Anselmo, was an acclaimed spa whose mineral water was bottled and sold across the country; today it is a 60-acre state recreation area with cabins and camping.

The nearest water that comes out hot is in Hot Springs, South Dakota: about 210 miles from North Platte and 410 miles from Omaha in a straight line.

The nearest hot springs to Omaha and North Platte

Western Nebraska is close to three hot spring regions: the Black Hills, Colorado's Front Range and southern Wyoming.

FromNearest hot springs (straight line)Next nearest
OmahaHot Springs, South Dakota410 milesHot Springs, Arkansas, 490 milesBoulder, Colorado, 500 miles
North PlatteHot Springs, South Dakota210 milesBoulder, Colorado, 250 milesSaratoga, Wyoming, 310 miles

From North Platte, Hot Springs, South Dakota, and the springs near Boulder, Colorado, are both within about 250 miles. From Omaha, Arkansas comes second.

Victoria Springs and Nebraska's hot plunge

Victoria Springs, in Custer County in the central Sandhills, takes its name from the mineral springs that pool there. In its spa days the springs were the setting of an acclaimed resort, and the water was bottled and sold throughout the United States. The land was once part of the homestead of Custer County judge Charles R. Mathews, whose log cabins still stand.

Established in 1925, it is one of Nebraska's oldest state recreation areas. Its 5-acre spring-fed lake has fishing and paddleboats, two two-bedroom cabins open from Memorial Day weekend to mid-November, and the campground has 21 sites with electric hookups and six basic sites.

Nebraska also had a warm bath, of a kind. History Nebraska holds a photo of the Hot Mineral Plunge Bath at Anoka, in Boyd County near the South Dakota line, built in 1907 and fed by an artesian well; the sign gave its temperature as 90°.

Where they are in Nebraska: map

All 3 places on this page, with pin shapes showing the type. Open the larger map to zoom in.

Spring site Lodge or spa Heated pool

Springs and spas in Nebraska

The Sandhills park at Victoria Springs, a lodge pool in Nebraska City and a float spa in the Panhandle.

  • Mineral springs

    Victoria Springs State Recreation Area

    Anselmo

    A 60-acre Sandhills park named for the mineral springs that pool there; cabins and camping.

  • Lodge spa

    Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm

    Nebraska City

    A 140-room lodge with an expansive indoor pool and a spa.

  • Float spa

    Hydrozen Float

    Scottsbluff

    A float pod with 150 gallons of water and over 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt.

Planning a soak in Nebraska

Seasons

Victoria Springs' cabins open from Memorial Day weekend to mid-November; check Nebraska Game and Parks for seasonal hours. The lodge pool and float spa are indoors.

Entry fees

Nebraska state recreation areas need a park entry permit. Lodge and spa services are paid.

Access and travel

Victoria Springs is in Custer County in central Nebraska, near Anselmo. Nebraska City is on the Missouri River south of Omaha, and Scottsbluff is in the Panhandle.

Common questions

Was there a spa at Victoria Springs?

Yes. Nebraska Game and Parks says the springs were the setting of an acclaimed spa, and the water was bottled and sold throughout the United States.

Did Nebraska have a hot mineral bath?

History Nebraska has a photo of the Hot Mineral Plunge Bath at Anoka, fed by an artesian well and built in 1907, with a sign giving its temperature as 90°.

Can you stay at Victoria Springs?

Yes. It has two two-bedroom cabins from Memorial Day weekend to mid-November, 21 campsites with electric hookups and six basic sites.

Are there hot springs near Omaha?

The nearest are in Hot Springs, South Dakota, about 410 miles away in a straight line, then Hot Springs, Arkansas, about 490 miles away.

How far is Victoria Springs from Omaha?

About 200 miles west in a straight line, in the Sandhills near Anselmo.

Rules and good manners

Things to know.

  • Book a cabin earlyVictoria Springs has only two cabins, and summer weekends fill fast.
  • Float with careRinse off the Epsom salt after a float, and keep it out of your eyes.
  • Rinse before and afterShower before you get in to keep the water clean, and with soap afterwards, as the CDC recommends.

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