Hot Springs in West Virginia | Are There Hot Springs

Are there hot springs in West Virginia?

Not hot ones. West Virginia has warm springs: the springs at Berkeley Springs State Park flow at a constant 74.3°F, and the park's bathhouses heat the water to 102°F for baths. NOAA's list of US thermal springs includes four West Virginia springs, all in the low 70s°F.

The nearest natural hot springs are in Bath County, Virginia, about 100 miles from Charleston in a straight line, and less than 40 miles from White Sulphur Springs.

The nearest hot springs to Charleston and Morgantown

Almost all of West Virginia is within about 150 miles of Virginia's Bath County.

From	Nearest hot springs (straight line)	Next nearest
Charleston	Bath County, Virginia100 miles	Hot Springs, North Carolina, 180 milesHot Springs, Arkansas, 690 miles
Morgantown	Bath County, Virginia110 miles	Hot Springs, North Carolina, 300 milesHot Springs, Arkansas, 800 miles

From the Greenbrier valley, Bath County is just over the mountain. From the Eastern Panhandle, Berkeley Springs is the warm spring on your doorstep.

Berkeley Springs: a spa since colonial days

Native people valued the warm springs long before European settlers arrived around 1730 and learned of them. In 1748 George Washington, then 16, came through with a survey party and recorded the visit in his diary.

In 1776 Lord Fairfax gave the springs and 50 acres around them to the Colony of Virginia, and the General Assembly founded the town of Bath there, run by trustees. James Rumsey was hired to build bathhouses and other public buildings, which made the springs an official resort. The springs produce about 2,000 gallons a minute at a constant 74.3°F.

Today the springs are in Berkeley Springs State Park, in the middle of town. The Main Bathhouse has a walk-in Roman bath and a jetted whirlpool, and the Old Roman Bathhouse has nine private tubs, all heated to 102°F; there is also a public tap where anyone can fill bottles with spring water for free.

Where they are in West Virginia: map

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

Spring site Bathhouse or spa Heated pool

The best springs and spas in West Virginia

The state park baths at Berkeley Springs, a spa that uses the same water, and the Greenbrier's sulphur spring spa.

Warm springs
Berkeley Springs State Park
Berkeley Springs
Springs at 74.3°F; Roman baths and whirlpools heated to 102°F, open year-round, and a free spring water tap.
Inn spa
Renaissance Spa at the Country Inn
Berkeley Springs
Whirlpool baths filled with Berkeley Springs' natural mineral water.
Mineral spa
The Greenbrier Mineral Spa
White Sulphur Springs
Hydrotherapy in the white sulphur spring water that gave the resort town its name.

How to visit

Best time to visit

Berkeley Springs State Park's bathhouses are open year-round. Book baths by phone with the Main Bathhouse or Old Roman Bathhouse.

Prices and fees

Baths and massages are paid; the spring water tap is free.

How to get there

Berkeley Springs is in the Eastern Panhandle, about two hours from Washington, DC. White Sulphur Springs is in Greenbrier County near the Virginia line, less than 40 miles from the hot springs of Bath County, Virginia.

Rules and good manners

Bathing at Berkeley Springs.

Book your bathPrivate Roman baths are by appointment, so call ahead.
Bring bottlesThe free spring water tap is a local tradition.
Limit hot soaksAt 102°F, 15 to 20 minutes is plenty; drink water afterwards.

West Virginia FAQ

How warm is the water at Berkeley Springs?

The springs flow at a constant 74.3°F, according to West Virginia State Parks. The bathhouses heat it to 102°F for baths.

Do you need a reservation at Berkeley Springs State Park?

Yes for baths and spa services: book by phone with the Main Bathhouse or the Old Roman Bathhouse.

Did George Washington bathe at Berkeley Springs?

He visited in 1748, aged 16, with a survey party and wrote about the springs in his diary.

Are there hot springs near Morgantown?

The nearest are in Bath County, Virginia, about 110 miles away in a straight line.

Is the Greenbrier a hot spring?

No. White Sulphur Springs is a sulphur spring; the Greenbrier's mineral spa uses its water for hydrotherapy.

Pictures of places to soak in West Virginia

Photos of Berkeley Springs State Park, Renaissance Spa at the Country Inn and The Greenbrier Mineral 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.