Are There Hot SpringsAre there hot springs in Ohio?
No. Ohio has no natural hot springs. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources notes that temperatures rise with depth, to nearly 80°F in a salt mine 2,000 feet down, but no hot water surfaces.
The nearest water that comes out hot is in Bath County, Virginia, about 220 miles from Columbus in a straight line, with Hot Springs, North Carolina, about 240 miles from Cincinnati.
How far are hot springs from Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati?
Ohio is closer to the Appalachian hot springs than most of the Midwest: Bath County is under 300 miles from all three cities.
| From | Nearest hot springs (straight line) | Next nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus | Bath County, Virginia220 miles | Hot Springs, North Carolina, 280 milesHot Springs, Arkansas, 670 miles |
| Cleveland | Bath County, Virginia260 miles | Hot Springs, North Carolina, 390 milesHot Springs, Arkansas, 780 miles |
| Cincinnati | Hot Springs, North Carolina240 miles | Bath County, Virginia, 260 milesHot Springs, Arkansas, 570 miles |
Cincinnati is the one city where North Carolina comes first. From Cleveland, the drive to Bath County crosses the West Virginia mountains.
Ohio's underground heat
The Ohio Geological Survey describes a steady warming with depth. Ohio Caverns, less than 100 feet down, sits at about 55°F. A salt mine in northern Ohio about 2,000 feet underground is nearly 80°F, and oil and gas wells deeper than 8,000 feet in eastern Ohio can top 160°F.
That heat never reaches the surface as springs. Ohio's rocks are gently tilted sedimentary layers, and the state lacks the deep faults that let heated water rise quickly in Virginia's Bath County, so any warm groundwater cools long before it could reach the surface.
Ohioans use the shallow, steady warmth another way: shallow ground- and water-source heat pumps are common, and the state had about 10,000 installed by 2009, making it a leader in geothermal heat pumps. Early systems drew on well water from 50 to 80 feet down.
Map of spas in Ohio
The map shows all 3 places we list in Ohio. Zoom in on the larger map for more detail.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Ohio spas
An inn east of Columbus, and resort spas near Lake Erie and in Canton.
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Inn
The Welsh Hills Inn
GranvilleAn inn on 15 wooded acres with an outdoor heated pool, hot tub and spa services.
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Resort spa
Spa Kalahari & Salon
SanduskyA resort spa with a halotherapy salt room and sauna, beside Kalahari's indoor waterpark.
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Vineyard spa
The Spa at Gervasi Vineyard
CantonA 5,000 sq ft vineyard spa whose couples suites have air baths and steam showers.
Common questions
Why doesn't Ohio have hot springs?
Ohio's rocks do warm with depth, to nearly 80°F 2,000 feet down, but there are no deep faults to bring heated water back up quickly, so none reaches the surface.
Are there warm springs in Ohio?
No. NOAA's list of US thermal springs has no Ohio entries.
Are there hot springs near Cincinnati?
The nearest is Hot Springs, North Carolina, about 240 miles away in a straight line, then Bath County, Virginia, about 260 miles away.
Are there hot springs near Cleveland?
The nearest is Bath County, Virginia, about 260 miles away in a straight line.
How does Ohio use geothermal heat?
Mostly through shallow ground- and water-source heat pumps for heating and cooling; Ohio had about 10,000 by 2009.
How to visit
When to go
Each spa is indoors and runs year-round; the Welsh Hills Inn's outdoor pool and hot tub are part of an inn stay.
What it costs
Spa services are paid. Pools and hot tubs are mostly for overnight guests.
Getting there
Granville is about 30 miles east of Columbus. Sandusky is on Lake Erie between Toledo and Cleveland, and Canton is south of Akron.
Before you soak in Ohio
The usual spa courtesies.
- Check who can use the poolsSome pools and hot tubs are for hotel or spa guests only, so ask before you go.
- Keep hot tubs at 104°F or belowThe CPSC says hot tub water should never be hotter than 104°F.
Sources and verification
This guide was reviewed on . Facts come from the official sources listed below.
- ODNR: Geothermal energy resources (temperature rises with depth)
- Ohio. Find It Here: The Welsh Hills Inn (outdoor pool, hot tub)
- Ohio. Find It Here: Spa Kalahari & Salon (salt room, sauna)
- Ohio. Find It Here: The Spa at Gervasi Vineyard (air baths, steam)
- Virginia Energy: Geothermal energy in Virginia (how the Bath County springs are heated)
- NOAA: Thermal Springs List for the United States
- CPSC: Hot tub temperatures
Hot springs elsewhere in the United States
Continue to another state.