Discover the best hot springs in Colorado!
Colorado is a state full of natural beauty. Surrounded by the stunning Rocky Mountains and deep forests, you can escape from almost anywhere in the state to explore hiking trails and ski down the slopes.
But did you know there are also gorgeous natural hot springs hidden amongst this stunning landscape?
Most Colorado hot springs are open all year round, but they really come into their own in the winter. What is more indulgent than spending the day skiing in the mountains and winding down by soaking in the healing waters of a natural mineral hot spring? Now that’s what we call a holiday!
The hot springs range from primitive pools in the mountains to developed resorts where the springs are the main draw. Colorado hot springs have you covered if you want a rugged hike with a relaxing soak at the end or a total luxury experience.
In this guide, we are going to look at our favorite hot springs in Colorado as well as supply you with a complete list of every hot spring that is accessible in the state.
5 of the Best Hot Springs in Colorado
Colorado has so many hot springs that whittling them down to just five to recommend was a feat!
Since most of Colorado’s hot springs are developed, we’ve chosen our favorite hot springs resorts and our favorite primitive option so you can truly take advantage of the stunning hot springs that this state has to offer.
Here are our top five Colorado hot springs:
Iron Mountain Hot Springs
Iron Mountain Hot Springs was opened in 2015, making it one of the newest hot spring resorts in Colorado.
Located alongside the Colorado River, these hot springs feature a number of pools dotted along the bank filled with natural mineral water that ranges from 90 to 108 F. The water is very high in iron, hence the name, which may stain your swimsuits, so we advise you to wear an older suit when visiting Iron Mountain Hot Springs.
You can book a three-hour soak or grab an all-day pass so you can relax in the healing waters for as long as you want. A large freshwater family pool is also available if you want to cool off. If you want a more luxurious soak, there is even a jetted spa pool just for that!
Although there are no accommodations on site, Iron Mountain Hot Springs is conveniently located only an hour from Aspen and Vale and 2.5 hours from Denver. A cafe is also available if you want to fuel up before returning to the hot spring pools.
Strawberry Park Hot Springs
If you want an idyllic winter hot spring wonderland, look no further than Strawberry Park Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs.
Sitting on the banks of a mountain river, this resort is made up of a series of pools dotted along the bank. We recommend visiting in winter when you can sit in the hot pools and take in the snowy forested landscape. Please note, however, that a 4×4 vehicle and snow tires are required to reach the hot springs in winter.
The rocky, natural-looking pools are 102 F at their coolest, so make sure you bring plenty of water to stay hydrated while you enjoy your soak. The hot springs are open to everyone during the day but are reserved for only adults at night when it is clothing optional.
If you are hiking the Hot Springs Trail, it will lead you directly to Strawberry Park Hot Springs. Other activities around the resort include mountain biking and fishing. There are also massage services available.
Regarding accommodation, camping sites and a few cabins are available to rent. The cabins are particularly beautiful, with options like a rustic log cabin, train car caboose, and covered wagon to choose from.
Please note that Strawberry Park is very popular, so the pools need to be booked 30 days in advance, while the accommodation needs to be booked a full 90 days in advance.
Joyful Journey Hot Springs
Nestled in the San Luis Valley, Joyful Journey Hot Springs is just as the name implies; a joyful experience!
They feature three hot spring pools of varying sizes and temperatures ranging between 98 and 108 F. There are also two jacuzzi hot tubs available as an extra option. Due to the stunning location, Joyful Journey is the perfect place to sit back and soak in the natural mineral water while you take in the breathtaking views of the Sangre De Cristo mountain range.
These hot springs proudly call themselves LGBTQ-friendly, so this is a great spot for anyone to enjoy without judgment.
Apart from the hot springs, a holistic spa and yoga classes are also available on-site. To really enjoy all these amenities, we suggest staying in one of the many accommodation options available. They have a range to choose from, including the lodge, yurts, tipis, and tent and RV camping.
Conundrum Hot Springs
One of the best primitive hot springs in Colorado is the Conundrum Hot Springs.
Located near Castle Peak in the Colorado Rockies, you need to hike 9 miles along the Conundrum Creek Trail to reach this series of beautiful hot spring pools. However, after this long hike, you will be rewarded with a relaxing soak in the hot mineral water while you take in the views of the Aspen wilderness.
The source of Conundrum Hot Springs is one of the hottest in North America, but they cool to an average of 100 F in the pools themselves. The smaller pools may be slightly cooler than the larger ones.
The hot springs are 3ft deep and large enough to fit a dozen people, so these are great springs to visit with a group of friends. If you want to stay overnight, camping areas are nearby but not directly next to the hot springs. You will need to obtain a permit from the forestry service to camp there.
Hot Sulphur Springs Resort and Spa
The Hot Sulphur Springs Resort and Spa in Sulphur Springs is situated in a beautiful spot deep in the Colorado Rockies in northwest Grand County.
The resort, which was established in the 1850s, is made up of 18 separate pools with temperatures ranging between 98- 112 F. The pools are gravity fed by seven underground springs whose water is left 100% natural and untreated. The water may appear cloudy blue in some pools due to the high concentration of minerals.
Soaking in one of these mineral pools and taking in the incredible mountainous scenery is the pinnacle of relaxation if you ask us.
Public and private pools are available to rent by the hour. If you buy a full-day pass, there are complimentary massage services that you can use to take your relaxation to a whole new level. There’s even a hot spring waterfall pouring more hot water into the hot springs pools.
If you want to stay on-site, there are motel rooms, apartments, and cabins open for renting.
Full List of Colorado Hot Springs
Colorado has many types of hot springs, from developed and paid to primitive and free. However, there are many hot springs that are not available publicly and are only accessible to guests at specific resorts.
We have divided our list into those that are publically open and those you will need to book a room to access.
Here is a comprehensive list of the all the Colorado hot springs:
Public Colorado Hot Springs
| Hot Spring | Location in Colorado | Developed or Primitive |
| Pagosa Hot Springs | San Juan Basin, Archuleta County | Primitive |
| Avalanche Ranch Cabins and Hot Springs | Redstone | Developed |
| Conundrum Hot Springs | Aspen | Primitive |
| Cottonwood Hot Springs | Buena Vista | Developed |
| Dakota Hot Springs | Penrose | Developed |
| Desert Reef Hot Springs | Florence | Developed |
| Durango Hot Springs Resort and Spa | Hermosa | Developed |
| Eldorado Springs Pool | Eldorado Springs | Developed |
| Glenwood Hot Springs Resort | Glenwood Springs | Developed |
| Healing Waters Resort and Spa | Pagosa Springs | Developed |
| Hot Sulphur Springs Resort and Spa | Sulphur Springs | Developed |
| Indian Hot Springs | Idaho Springs | Developed |
| Iron Mountain Hot Springs | Glenwood Springs | Developed |
| Joyful Journey Hot Springs | Moffat | Developed |
| Juniper Hot Springs | Lay | Developed |
| Mount Princeton Hot Springs | Nathrop | Developed |
| Nathan’s Hippy Dip Hot Springs | Pagosa Springs | Primitive |
| Old Town Hot Springs | Steamboat Springs | Developed |
| Orvis Hot Springs | Ridgway | Developed |
| Ouray Hot Springs Pool | Ouray | Developed |
| Overlook Hot Springs Spa | Pagosa Springs | Developed |
| Penny Hot Springs | Redstone | Primitive |
| Piedra River Hot Springs | Arboles | Primitive |
| Radium Hot Springs | Kremmling | Primitive |
| Rainbow Hot Springs | Pagosa Springs | Primitive |
| Salida Hot Springs | Salida | Developed |
| Sand Dunes Pool | Hooper | Developed |
| South Canyon Hot Springs | Glenwood Springs | Primitive |
| Splashland Hot Springs | Alamosa | Developed |
| Strawberry Hot Springs | Steamboat Springs | Developed |
| SunWater Spa | Manitou Springs | Developed |
| The Springs Resort | Pagosa Springs | Developed |
| Twin Peaks Lodge and Hot Springs | Ouray | Developed |
| Valley View Hot Springs | Villa Grove | Primitive |
| Wiesbaden Hot Springs Spa and Lodgings | Ouray | Developed |
| Yampah Spa and Salon | Glenwood Springs | Developed |
Private Colorado Hot Springs
| Hot Spring | Location in Colorado | Developed or Primitive |
| 4UR and Wagon Wheel Gap Hot Springs | Creede | Developed |
| Antero Hot Springs Cabins | Nathrop | Developed |
| Aqua Hot Springs | Nathrop | Developed |
| Box Canyon Lodge and Hot Springs | Ouray | Developed |
| Deer Valley Ranch | Nathrop | Developed |
| Dunton Hot Springs | Dolores | Primitive |
| Merrifield Homestead Cabins and Hot Springs | Buena Vista | Developed |
| Treehouse Hot Springs | Nathrop | Developed |
| Waunita Hot Springs Ranch | Gunnison | Developed |
Type of Hot Springs in Colorado
As you can see from our list, Colorado hot springs can be divided into primitive and developed but also public and private. We are going to unpack the difference, so you know exactly what to expect when you visit them.
Public Hot Springs
These public hot springs are either primitive and free or part of a resort or baths that you will need to pay to access with a day pass. Whatever experience you want, Colorado has you covered.
The resort springs will have plenty of amenities built around them and are easily accessible for anyone, no matter their age or abilities. These pools will occasionally have treated water and will be regularly cleaned. There may even be other spa treatments available on the premises.
The primitive pools are less accessible but full of stunning natural beauty. They are often accessed via a hike through the mountains or along the Colorado River. The pools are natural and not treated or cleaned, so they may become dirty after being used by a lot of people.
Private Hot Springs
Ski resorts are not the resorts that Colorado is famous for; their hot springs resorts are also something special.
There are a few select hot springs resorts in Colorado that don’t allow day passes, and they are only accessible to those who are guests at the resort.
These private hot springs are considerably more expensive than a primitive pool or a resort where you can buy a day pass since you need to factor in the cost of the hotel room for however many nights you will be visiting.
However, this does mean that the pools will be less busy, so you get a more exclusive experience with the option to visit the springs on multiple days.
Colorado is a gorgeous state that plays host to so many hot springs that you could visit over and over and never see the same hot spring twice. We hope this has inspired you to get out into the mountains and explore Colorado’s hot springs.