Discover the best hot springs in West Virginia!
If you’re a lover of the outdoors and treating yourself, then you’ll definitely fall in love with West Virginia.
With so much to see and explore, West Virginia offers so many adventures and experiences that are unique and exciting. From hiking in the Appalachian Mountains to visiting some of the oldest towns in the country, this state is full of history, culture and nature.
There’s a reason why West Virginia is popularly known as ‘Almost Heaven’. Here are five reasons why we love West Virginia, aka, the Mountain State:
- The land – If you love surrounding yourself with nature, then this state offers a variety of environments to get lost in. There are vast mountains, forests, valleys and rivers for you to explore all day long.
- The history – West Virginia is known for its rich history. From civil war to visits from George Washington himself, there’s a lot to learn about West Virginia’s heritage.
- The adventure – Thanks to its landscape, you can enter into all kinds of adventures in this state. From white-water rafting in New River Gorge to chasing 200 waterfalls around the Mountain State, there’s something for everybody looking for a little adventure.
- The weather – Whether you want gleaming sunshine in the summer or glistening snowfall in the winter, West Virginia’s weather offers a choice of temperatures. In the winter, we recommend heading to the Snowshoe Ski Resort to enjoy its snowy mountains and 800 foot vertical ski drop!
- The culture – There are so many interesting and culture-rich museums to choose from in this state, you’re bound to find something that instantly grasps your interest. Fantastic museums include: West Virginia State Museum at the Culture Centre; the Mothman Museum and the West Virginia Penitentiary (which is a bit creepy but absolutely fascinating).
The Best Hot Springs in West Virginia
On top of everything else that the Mountain State offers, there are also some serene hot springs to visit. Whilst West Virginia doesn’t have as many hot springs as other states, there are still some beautiful and exhilarating thermal waters to visit and have a dip in, and some have a few surprising historical factors too.
Here are our four favorite hot springs in West Virginia.
Berkeley Hot Springs
The most prolific of hot springs in the state, Berkeley Hot Springs attracts thousands of visitors every year.
There are five main springs here, with multiple smaller springs, and each have an average temperature of 74.3°F.
What’s more, there are a variety of facilities to choose from, such as private bathing tubs, saunas and massages in the Old Roman Bath Building and Main Bath House. The water itself contains healing properties and can help you if you have issues such as eczema.
The town used to be named Bath due to the amount of bathhouses and public buildings that were built to store the thermal waters for use. Due to its large size and popularity, Berkeley Springs is known to be America’s first spa resort – so you can tick that off your list once you’ve visited!
Berkeley Springs has always been a popular destination for its healing waters. In the 1700s, Native Americans travelled all the way from Canada for Berkeley Springs’ restorative waters, highlighting its medicinal properties.
Not only this, but George Washington often bathed here, using the baths to calm and soothe him, particularly when he got ill. He visited these facilities all,his life, making Berkely Springs a pretty special place.
Spa Hot Springs Motel and Clinic
Located in White Sulphur Springs, this therapeutic and rejuvenating facility offers a choice of three thermal pools.
Located in White Sulphur Springs, Montana, Spa Hot Springs Motel and Clinic offers motel accommodation which then grants you free access to the hot pools. If you don’t fancy staying the motel, then you can simply visit the pools for the day, which are open all year round.
Spa Hot Springs has pools both indoors and outdoors, with each pool maintaining an average temperature of 105-130°F, depending on which pool to have a dip in.
What’s more, no chemicals are used in this facility, so you can reap all the natural benefits of this warm mineral water as only pure water from the hot springs is used to fill up the pools. They are also cleaned every night, so you won’t have to worry about the level of cleanliness either.
The Greenbrier
Also located in White Sulphur Springs, The Greenbrier attracts visitors from all over the world. Offering luxurious mineral spa experiences, this resort reflects tranquillity and serenity.
Their main attraction is the use of hydrotherapy – this is where they offer treatments that use the thermal waters from West Virginia’s Alvon Springs for their healing features. Treatments include sulphur soaks, mineral mountain baths and rejuvenation wraps.
So, if you’re seeking a stress-free, calming trip, then The Greenbriar is definitely worth a visit.
Capon Springs and Farms
Located in High View, Capon Springs and Farms offers stunning landscapes, spa treatments and natural beauties all in one place.
Also known as home away from home, it wasn’t always a place of relaxation. In 1911, when it was named the Grand Mountain House, it was destroyed and wasn’t resurrected until 1932.
Since then, it has risen in popularity and is known for its touristic attractions and, of course, its exhilarating hot springs. But it’s always been a well-known destination. These thermal bath houses have been used for centuries as a place to relax and unwind.
The name Capon was given by Native Americans in the 19th century, which means ‘healing waters’, reflecting the restorative benefits of Capon’s hot springs.
Altogether, there are three pools, filled with thermal waters of 102°F that travel from the Capon Springs.
As well as soaking up the medicinal spring water, you can also treat yourself to an overnight stay and spa treatment.
A List of Hot Springs in West Virginia
| Hot Spring | Location | Developed or Primitive |
| Berkeley Springs Resort | Berkeley Springs | Developed |
| Old Roman Bath Building | Berkeley Springs | Developed |
| Main Bath House | Berkeley Springs | Developed |
| Capon Springs and Farm | Capon | Developed |
| The Greenbrier | White Sulphur Springs | Developed |
| Spa Hot Springs Motel and Clinic | White Sulphur Springs | Developed |
Developed Hot Springs
Developed hot springs offer a more coordinated experience compared to primitive locations. These range from spa-like facilities to amenities, such as bath houses and historic pools that are drenched in West Virginia’s heritage.
They also usually include an entrance fee, meaning that all pools and springs are well-maintained and guarantee a high level of cleanliness.
Lastly, developed areas, like Berkeley Springs, are normally easily accessible and convenient, meaning you won’t need to go on a trek to enjoy these types of hot springs.
As you can see, West Virginia is the perfect destination for if you’re looking for a developed, spa-like hot spring getaway.
Whilst there aren’t any primitive hot springs in the state, the Mountain State certainly has resorts and facilities where you can luxuriate and unwind during your trip.
So, if you’re looking for the perfect hot spring spa destination, then you’ve found it!