Colorado Official State Vacation Guide - 2025
Rocky Mountain Hot Springs: No Two the Same
2024-12-05 09:57:50
While all Colorado hot springs offer the comfort of warm, soothing pools, their similarities end there. These rejuvenating spots vary from luxurious spa escapes to rugged, natural springs, offering a perfect option for every type of traveler seeking a relaxing respite during an adventure-filled vacation.
Luxurious Spa Day
Sometimes, an ideal hot-springs getaway means waking up slowly, sitting in geothermal waters and sipping smoothies as you wait for your massage reservation. At Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort near Salida, this level of tranquility is easy to achieve. In the evening, dip into several spots alongside the flowing Chalk Creek and stare up at the twinkling stars, listening to the water trickle past for the ultimate laid-back experience.
Meanwhile, at Dunton Hot Springs near Telluride, elegance blends with whimsy and peaceful seclusion as you sink into a steaming natural tub steps away from your restored cabin, many hand built in the 1800s. The site was once an old mining camp, but now hosts luxurious lodging within the ghost town’s authentic homes, stores and barns. The toasty springs — some reserved exclusively for your little chalet — are just one piece of the all-inclusive experience, best combined with fine dining, custom massages and day trips exploring the aspen-lined trails.
Rustic Experience
When visiting the West, a rustic retreat can feel like you’re stepping back in time. At Strawberry Park Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs, the rock formations that make up the pools are surrounded by blush-colored wildflowers in summer and tall, golden trees in fall. And when you stay in one of the resort’s converted chuckwagons, you’ll wake up feeling like a pioneer. During the day it’s a family-friendly affair where all ages are welcome, and at night the pools are adults only and clothing optional. Once the lights turn off, you can peer up and spot bright constellations across the nighttime sky.
For another historical hangout, head to Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa in the town of Hot Sulphur Springs. The area was first visited by Ute and Arapaho hunting parties who discovered the steaming pools, calling them “big medicine.” It was believed that the mineral-rich water healed pains and ailments — and many modern visitors can attest to feeling restored and remedied after a soak. Once you dry off, the on-site cabins offer cozy, frill-free accommodations for a peaceful evening sipping wine by the fireplace.
Family-Friendly Fun
The world’s largest mineral pool can be found at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort in Glenwood Springs. Fortunately, those record-breaking waters also offer big-time fun for families. Let the older kids romp around the dedicated splash zone modeled after Glenwood Canyon’s Hanging Lake or bring the tots to the kiddie-pool fountain to frolic. Hop on an inner tube and take a trip down the whitewater “river” that twists and turns you through thrill-filled chutes. Check out their brand-new swimming area with five additional pools, including a shiver-inducing cold plunge. Or just kick back and picnic on the patio surrounded by towering red mountains while you snack on juicy burgers from the grill.
Kids feel right at home at Ouray Hot Springs Pool & Fitness Center. The diving board, winding waterslide and giggle-filled game area with a volleyball net and inflatable obstacle course will entertain your whole crew for hours. Their restorative waters are rich in potassium, manganese and iron, and don’t have a strong sulfur smell. While the kids play, parents can also wade around in the infinity-edge overlook pool and soak in the views of the snowcapped San Juan Mountains.
Romantic Getaways
Few things are as romantic as spending a day relaxing in the steaming waters at Durango Hot Springs. Sip rosé with your sweetheart as you settle into one of 32 natural hot springs. Spend some time just the two of you by reserving one of the small ofuro-style soaking tubs, where you can lounge together and set the temperature to your precise preference. Add a couples’ hot-stone massage and unwind next to each other as the smooth, heated rocks infuse your skin with therapeutic essential oils and boost circulation.
At The Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs, romance flows as naturally as the water. Snuggle up next to your partner in the warm, terraced lagoons surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the San Juan range. The resort boasts the world’s deepest geothermal spring, where the bottom has yet to be discovered. And their 25 soaking pools, each with its own unique character and mineral profile, provide a peaceful setting for connection. For a more intimate experience, reserve a private tub for a quiet, moonlit evening, best paired with a cool cocktail from the canteen. An upcoming expansion will add 20 new pools, a geothermal spa, a greenhouse and a greenhouse-to-table restaurant.
Breathtaking Views
If gorgeous scenery is your primary criterion, several hot springs offer views as captivating as the baths themselves. Orvis Hot Springs in Ridgway is a secluded, clothing-optional oasis of pools tucked in a narrow valley, offering unrivaled vistas of the majestic 14,150-foot Mount Sneffels. Sink your feet into the warm waters, feel the pebbles beneath your toes and lean back to gaze at the craggy, natural amphitheater that surrounds you. Somehow the sights become even more spectacular when the sun sets and the Milky Way pours across the pitch-black sky.
Spy on ancient peaks and sun-scorched desert plains dotted with sagebrush at Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa in Moffat. Nestled at the northern edge of the Mystic San Luis Valley, the resort’s tiled pools invite hours of indulgent soaking at varying temperatures. And as you steep, you can treat your eyes to the stunning scenery of the Sangre de Cristo summits, where fiery sunsets paint the sky and cast a golden glow over the valley landscape.
Off-Peak Visits
Want more pools to yourself? Plan to visit on a weekday for a more private experience.
Get a guide to the state’s 30 hot springs on Colorado.com.
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