Hot Springs in Pennsylvania | Are There Hot Springs

Are there hot springs in Pennsylvania?

No. There are no natural hot springs anywhere in Pennsylvania. Its famous spring resort, Omni Bedford Springs, is built on mineral springs at ordinary temperature, and its Springs Eternal Spa heats the water for a bath ritual of steam, mineral deluge, whirlpool and cold plunge.

The nearest water that surfaces hot is in Bath County, Virginia, about 170 miles from Pittsburgh and 280 miles from Philadelphia in a straight line.

How far are hot springs from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh?

Western Pennsylvania is close to Virginia's Bath County; from Pittsburgh it is under 200 miles.

From	Nearest hot springs (straight line)	Next nearest
Philadelphia	Bath County, Virginia280 miles	Hot Springs, North Carolina, 500 milesHot Springs, Arkansas, 1,050 miles
Pittsburgh	Bath County, Virginia170 miles	Hot Springs, North Carolina, 350 milesHot Springs, Arkansas, 820 miles

Bedford sits between the two cities and is itself only about 150 miles from Bath County, so a trip can take in both resorts.

Pennsylvania's spring resorts: Bedford and Yellow Springs

The mineral springs at Bedford, in the south-central mountains, were used by Native people for centuries before a resort grew up around them. The Bedford Springs Hotel became James Buchanan's summer White House, and it calls itself a resort of firsts, with an early indoor swimming pool and one of the country's first golf courses. Today the Omni Bedford Springs Resort's spa still draws on the springs.

Older still was Yellow Springs, now Chester Springs, in Chester County. A state historical marker records it as a resort from 1750; George Washington made it his headquarters on September 17, 1777, after the Battle of Brandywine, and it served as a hospital for his soldiers during the Valley Forge winter of 1777 and 1778.

Neither spring was warm. Pennsylvania's visitors came to drink and bathe in mineral water for their health, much as they did at the warm springs of Virginia a few days' ride to the south.

Pennsylvania spas on a map

Where each of the 3 places in Pennsylvania is. Pin shapes show the type; open the larger map for more detail.

Spring site Spa or resort Heated pool

Pennsylvania spas

A historic spring resort in Bedford, a chocolate-themed spa in Hershey and a mansion spa near the Ohio line.

Mineral spa
Omni Bedford Springs Resort
Bedford
Springs Eternal Spa's Bedford Bath Ritual uses spring water: steam, mineral deluge, whirlpool, cold plunge.
Resort spa
The Spa at The Hotel Hershey
Hershey
A resort spa known for its whipped cocoa bath.
Inn spa
Buhl Mansion Guesthouse & Spa
Sharon
A mansion guesthouse with a spa, steam room and sauna.

How to visit

When to go

All three spas are indoors and open year-round. Bedford Springs suggests booking spa services well ahead.

What it costs

Spa rituals and treatments are paid; the resort pools are for hotel guests.

Getting there

Bedford is just off the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the south-central part of the state. Hershey is east of Harrisburg, and Sharon is on the Ohio line near Youngstown. Chester Springs is about 30 miles north-west of Philadelphia.

Hot springs in Pennsylvania: questions and answers

Are the springs at Bedford Springs hot?

No. Bedford Springs has mineral springs, not hot ones. The spa heats the water for its bath ritual.

What is the Bedford Bath Ritual?

A sequence at Springs Eternal Spa: aromatic steam, a mineral deluge, a whirlpool and a cold plunge, using the resort's spring water.

Did a president stay at Bedford Springs?

Yes. The Bedford Springs Hotel was James Buchanan's summer White House.

Are there hot springs near Pittsburgh?

Within a day's drive: Bath County, Virginia, is about 170 miles away in a straight line, and Hot Springs, North Carolina, about 350.

Where was Yellow Springs?

In Chester County, at today's Chester Springs. A state marker records it as a resort from 1750 and an army hospital in the Valley Forge winter of 1777-78.

Before you soak in Pennsylvania

Spa tips.

Book the bath ritual earlyWeekend spa times at Bedford Springs fill well ahead.
Take the ritual in orderSteam, mineral deluge, whirlpool and cold plunge are designed to follow each other.
Shower, then dressThe CDC suggests showering with soap after soaking to help prevent hot tub rash.

Pictures of places to soak in Pennsylvania

Photos of Omni Bedford Springs Resort, The Spa at The Hotel Hershey and Buhl Mansion Guesthouse & Spa, all places 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.