New York Hot Springs

Discover the best hot springs in New York!

Often, when people plan a trip to New York, New York City itself is usually the destination and focus of the visit.

Well, today, we are here to convince you that New York hot springs need to be on your next travel list. Why not replace the sleepless atmosphere of the city with the calming oasis of a natural hot spring?

Like many states that boast hot springs, there is a whole town, Saratoga Springs, and a state park, Saratoga Spa State Park, based entirely around the natural hot springs in the area. The national park hosts three of the hot spring spots in this state on stunning grounds dotted with historical buildings.

So, on your next visit, why not work your way deeper into the state and explore the healing mineral waters of the state’s natural hot springs?

In this guide, we are going to explore all five hot springs in New York state so you can choose the perfect hot spring experience for you.

5 Hot Springs in New York

As we mentioned before, there are a total of five hot springs in New York State. They aren’t as plentiful as states like California or Nevada, but they have some really beautiful options.

Three of the most popular spots are located in Saratoga Springs inside the Saratoga Spa National Park. This town is known as the ‘Queen of Spas’ due to the prevalence of hot spring activity. It was originally a sacred place for the Native American Mohawk people, who named it Serachtague.

Since 1831 this has grown to be a popular vacation spot where visitors can relax and experience the healing mineral water.

There are a few options for hot spring experiences in New York, from private hot tubs to large pools, so you are sure to find an option that fits your needs.

Here are the five hot springs in New York:

Medbury Inn and Spa

This Ballston spa is the only hot spring spa in New York located outside of Saratoga Springs. However, it is only a few minutes outside, so it is easy to visit if you are staying in the town.

The Medbury Inn and Spa is a classic American hotel located in an original historical building that gives off a feel of old-timey glamour.

The hot spring is accessed through the spa on the hotel property. The water is pumped from its source, the San Souci Mineral Spring, into jacuzzi hot tubs. You have the option to book single or romantic couples soak, depending on what experience you’re looking for.

On top of regular soaking, you can choose from two special spa hot tub experiences: the rose petal bath and aromatherapy bath.

The spa is open to both guests and day visitors and offers a variety of services. Along with your relaxing soak, you can also enjoy massages, therapeutic foot baths, facials, sea salt, seaweed, mud, and essential oil treatments along with your relaxing soak.

If you wish to stay at the hotel, there are hotel rooms, townhouses, and suites available that are decorated tastefully in a style that speaks of times gone by.


Peerless Mineral Pool

Peerless Mineral Water Pool is a wonderful outdoor spot that forms part of the Saratoga Spa State Park. These pools are great to visit with kids because there are a lot of choices when it comes to entertainment. There are three separate pools that all have their own specialized uses.

The main pool is a huge pool that was built in 1962. This is the main area where everyone swims and relaxes beside the pool.

The kiddie pool is a very shallow pool, only 1ft deep, that is ideal for the little ones to play in while supervised.

The third pool is less of a soaking pool and more of a small landing point. The attraction to this pool is the 19ft waterslide that leads to it. The pool is merely a 3ft catchment area of mineral water for those using the slide. This slide is reserved for adults and older children only.

Natural mineral hot springs fill all three of the pools. This spot is very popular in the summer, so get there early to make the most of the wonderful hot springs.


Roosevelt Baths and Spa

The Roosevelt Baths and Spa can be found in the Gideon Putnam Hotel and Spa in Saratoga State Park.

Established in 1935, this spa was opened to preserve the springs and harness them for use by the community. Now the hydrotherapy spa is a popular spot for those who want to have a whole luxury spa experience.

Each visitor will have an individual hot tub that is filled with hot natural spring water. The water is generally between 97 F and 100 F, so it will be mixed with cold mineral water to achieve the perfect soaking temperature. Since it is easy to overheat when using a hot spring, cold mineral water is also available to drink.

If you want a little more indulgence, the spa has 42 original treatment rooms where you can get many treatments, including massages, facials, and body treatments.


Saratoga Turf and Spa Motel

Saratoga Turf and Spa Motel is an affordable hot spring option located in a very convenient spot in Saratoga Springs. The motel is within walking distance of the city center and the racetrack, so you have a lot of flexibility between where you are soaking and the rest of the town.

The motel and spa, family-owned since 1955, has a rustic appeal and simple, affordable rooms for those who want a hot spring experience without shelling out a fortune.

The spa is open all year round and features two blue-marbled hot tubs that are filled with hot mineral spring water. They can be enjoyed individually or by a few people at a time. The facilities are open for guests and day visitors, and everyone will get a timed slot in the hot spring.

Outside, there is a large heated pool, but this is not filled with mineral water, which is heated by a boiler.


Victoria Mineral Pool

Victoria Mineral Pool is the last of the mineral springs that make up Saratoga Springs State Park.

It must be stated upfront that this pool is not heated but is a cold mineral water pool.

It grew to fame as the first heated pool in America, but it is no longer heated. However, the healing properties of the mineral water are still present, so feel free to soak and cool off there in the summer, when it is at its most popular.

The pool is in a beautiful spot, framed by historical buildings, and provides enough space for many people to enjoy it at once. It is also equipped with showers and changing rooms for guests.


Full List of New York Hot Springs

The choice of hot springs in this state is limited, but what they have to offer is considerable. As you can see from this list, all but one of New York’s hot springs are located in Saratoga Springs, where hot springs are key to the town’s economy.

Here is a comprehensive list of the all the New York hot springs:

Hot SpringLocation in New YorkDeveloped or Primitive
Medbury Inn and SpaBallstonDeveloped
Peerless Mineral Water PoolSaratoga SpringsDeveloped
Roosevelt Baths and SpaSaratoga SpringsDeveloped
Saratoga Surf and Spa MotelSaratoga SpringsDeveloped
Victoria Mineral Water PoolSaratoga SpringsDeveloped

Types of Hot Springs in New York

In many states, you will have the choice between wild, primitive hot springs and developed hot springs but New York is different.

All the mineral hot springs in this state can be accessed from developed resorts or baths. They also have unique mineral water-tasting bars that we will get into below.

Developed Hot Springs

All of the pools that you can soak or swim in in New York are developed and form part of a spa or recreation area.

The mineral springs are pumped into man-made pools or baths so people can make use of them. In resorts, the pool’s mineral spring water is replaced regularly, and the pools undergo regular cleaning.

In these locations, you can relax and have a spa treatment before, and maybe even after, soaking in the hot mineral water.

Unlike primitive hot springs, you have to pay to use the hot springs in New York. On top of this fact, they are often busy because of their popularity, which means you will be sharing the pools with many people. This is why many people opt to pay more to soak in a hot tub by themselves in a spa.

Sampling Springs

If you want to drink natural mineral water rather than soak in it, then Saratoga Springs has a solution for you.

21 public sampling springs are scattered throughout the town and Saratoga Springs State Park. Each spring has a distinctive flavor as it will have a different concentration and variety of minerals. We suggest bringing your own cup and following a map to find all the locations.

New York is a state that has a lot to offer its visitors, and the hot springs are no exception! Whether you want to slide into a mineral pool or soak in private relaxation, this state has a hot spring option for you.