Soak It In: Colorado's Hot Springs

Colorado is winter wonderland USA.

With the best winter sports, activities and pursuits in the nation, it is a magnet for everyone from thrill seekers and Champagne drinkers to snowshoers and skidooers, but even the most ardent winter weather enthusiasts love nothing more than coming in from the cold and warming up.

And there is no better way to banish the chills than steeping yourself in a natural hot spring.

Colorado has dozens of natural hot springs, some of which are in century-old facilities and others that are literally just off the side of the road. We’ve organized a dozen or so from across West of 105 into several easily navigable loops that can be integrated into any trip to the Centennial State.

1 Northwest

Strawberry Park Hot Springs / S. Larson

Strawberry Park Hot Springs, Steamboat Springs

Sitting alongside Hot Springs Creek just outside Steamboat and surrounded by the pristine beauty of Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, Strawberry Park is a beautiful facility with four pools and several fantastic accommodation options including a renovated train caboose. The 104-degree F mineral water is soothing enough, but Strawberry Park also offers massage treatments in private huts and watsu therapy in a private pool. Being surrounded by nature, a four-wheel drive vehicle with snow chains or snow tires is required to get to the springs between Nov. 1 and May 1.

Mona K via Yelp

Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa, Hot Sulphur Springs

This spring was originally a winter campground for Ute Indians who used the restorative and rejuvenating power of the hot springs for hundreds of years before William Byers somewhat unscrupulously took control of the waters in 1840. In operation for over a century, Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa has seven natural springs that surface between 104 degrees F and 126 degrees F and fill the 21 mineral pools and baths. The resort also has lodging options (including an apartment and a lodge). Room rates include access to the pools. The spa also offers a range of wellness treatments, including several types of massages.

Old Town Hot Springs

Old Town Hot Springs, Steamboat Springs

Located on Lincoln Avenue in the heart of downtown Steamboat Springs, Old Town Hot Springs is a family-friendly nonprofit with water slides, a fitness center, massage services and childcare in addition to eight geothermal pools. Open year round, the pools are fed by Heart Spring and the water comes right out of the ground at a very pleasant 103 degrees F. There are private cabanas if you want to make a day of it. Boasting over half the population of the town as members, Old Town Hot Springs is the prefect way to defrost after a day at nearby Howelsen Hill Ski Area.

2 Central Rockies

Avalanche Ranch Cabins & Hot Springs, Redstone

This 36-acre ranch alongside the Crystal River is surrounded by outstanding natural beauty. In addition to the three natural hot springs pools that cascade from one pool to the next, the largest of which is fed by a three-foot waterfall in front of a grotto, there are hiking trails, a stocked fishing pond and private riverfront access. With views of Mt. Sopris and Avalanche Creek Valley, Avalanche Ranch has several accommodation options including studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom cabins and converted covered wagons. All accommodation offers 24-hour access to the pools. Day visitors are required to make a reservation.

Glenwood Hot Springs

Glenwood Hot Springs Resort & Spa, Glenwood Springs

One of the better known hot springs in the state, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort has been curing ailments and relaxing aching muscles for over 130 years. Around an hour from both Aspen and Vail, the resort boasts the world’s largest hot springs pool, but its real beauty is that it is a family resort with something for everyone. In addition to the 1,071,000-gallon pool, there are two water slides, a mini-golf course and a fullservice spa. For those who want to stay for more than just the day, the 107-room Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge is on the grounds of the resort.

Iron Mountain Hot Springs, Glenwood Springs

Iron Mountain Hot Springs is one of the newest hot springs resorts in the state having opened in July 2015. Sitting on the east bank of the Colorado River, just west of Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs, the resort’s pools are fed by three springs that emerge on the property.

The resort has a large family pool with 100,000 gallons of chlorinated fresh water and 16 smaller pools connected by heated walkways. The water in the 16 smaller pools is untreated and unfiltered and contains a natural white-colored algae that is said to aid in moisturizing the skin.

Penny Hot Springs, Carbondale

Penny Hot Springs is a steaming pool of mineral water in the middle of the Crystal River on Highway 133 between Carbondale and Redstone. At about 20 feet across and two feet deep, the pool can accommodate between 10-12 people. This most natural and unadulterated of hot springs is sectioned off from the river by large rocks, which can be moved around to adjust the temperature.

Originally the hot spring served Dan Penny’s (for whom the pool is now named) small hotel and bathhouse. In the 1960’s people starting soaking sans clothing and local residents were enraged to the point where the bathhouse was eventually bulldozed. The property the hot spring is on was acquired by Pitkin County in the early 90’s and restored for public use. There is no charge for using Penny Hot Springs, but please be sure to take away all trash and remember there are no bathroom facilities so plan accordingly.

3 Southwest

Overlook Hot Springs Spa, Pagosa Springs

It will come as no surprise that a town with a name like Pagosa Springs has more than one hot springs option. Overlook Hot Springs has, as the name suggests, roof-top tubs where you can sit and look out over Pagosa’s Main Street and the San Juan River. The modest facility also has five indoor pools and one completely private tub. Overlook, like many of the hot spring facilities in the state, offers various massage treatments. Just half an hour from Wolf Creek Ski Area, it is a practical choice after a day on the slopes.

Visit Pagosa Springs

Healing Waters Resort & Spa, Pagosa Springs

In operation since 1950, the family-owned Healing Waters isn’t shy about touting its health credentials, it is in the name after all. The modestly-sized property offers a large outdoor swimming pool, an outdoor hot tub and separate men’s and women’s indoor hot baths, all of which are filled with unadulterated natural mineral water. There is also a spa that offers, among other treatments, aquastretch, which is a variant of water aerobics but in the muscle relaxing waters of the hot spring. Healing Waters also has a range of accommodation options including rooms, suites with kitchenettes and cabins.

Visit Pagosa Springs

The Springs Resort & Spa, Pagosa Springs

Across the San Juan River from Overlook Hot Springs Spa, the Springs Resort and Spa is a sprawling property that is home to the world’s deepest geothermal hot spring. There are almost two dozen mineral soaking pools (eight public, allage soaking tubs and five exclusive Relaxation Terrace pools for bathers aged 18 and over), a full-service spa and salon and a 79-room hotel that is heated by a geothermal system. Guests at the Lodge also get 24-hour access to the soaking pools. Five of the 23 pools are adult-only.

Trimble Spa & Natural Hot Springs

Trimble Spa & Natural Hot Springs, Durango

One of the largest hot springs pools in the area, Trimble Spa & Natural Hot Springs is perfect for both relaxing and staying in shape throughout winter thanks to several lap lanes. The large pool is complemented by two therapy pools; there is also a sauna and a spa that offers various treatments from a small team of therapists. For those who want to stay overnight, there are a couple of options. The two-bedroom Trimble Guesthouse includes access to the pools during business hours, while the Starlight Room (a room that can accommodate two) comes with after-hours access to the Red Rock Pool. The property also has two resident cats that may come and visit.

4 San Juans

The Historic Wiesbaden Hot Springs

The Historic Wiesbaden Hot Springs, Ouray

If anywhere can give Pagosa a run for the hot springs capital of Colorado, it is Ouray, the Switzerland of America. The Wiesbaden is one of four hot springs properties in town. Located at the south end of town, the historic property has a main outdoor pool, a natural vapor cave (which has an additional soaking pool) and the Lorelei, a private soaking pool fed by a small waterfall from the same source as the pool. The Wiesbaden also has a variety of accommodation options, from small rooms to entire off-site properties, each of which comes with unlimited use of the hot springs, vapor cave and outdoor pool. Access to the Lorelei is discounted for overnight guests.

Twin Peaks Lodge and Hot Springs, Ouray

Twin Peaks Lodge & Hot Springs has an outdoor pool with a spectacular mountain view as well as two soaking tubs: an indoor tub for adults only and a second tub outdoors. All of the hot springs facilities at Twin Peaks are open 24 hours. The water comes out of the ground at a scorching 156 degrees F, but cold spring water is added to bring the temperature down to a more friendly temperature. Perhaps in an effort to make it stand out from the crowd, Twin Peaks has a tiki bar which is, sadly, seasonal and not open during winter.

Ouray Hot Springs Pool

Ouray Hot Springs Pool, Ouray

Surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, the Ouray Hot Springs Pool is a community facility. In operation since 1927, the 750,000-gallon, sulfur-free mineral pool is open year round (parts of it at least). With five distinct sections — shallow, hot, lap, activity and the overlook (the latter being a space for those over 18 which closes during off season as does the activity area) — the Ouray Hot Springs offers something for everyone. The facility, which is owned and operated by the city of Ouray, reopened just over a year ago after an eight-month closure for a comprehensive renovation.

Box Canyon Lodge and Hot Springs, Ouray

Also at the south end of Ouray (literally a two-minute walk from Twin Peaks), Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs pretty much backs up to the canyon. The 39-room property (with two large suites, two small suites, a honeymoon suite and an apartment) has four redwood soaking tubs that are terraced on the mountainside immediately behind the lodge with spectacular views. Big enough for about four people at a time, the tubs are exclusively for use by guests at the lodge. The hot springs water is also used throughout the lodge for heating during the winter months and, using a heat exchanger, is used to heat the domestic water.

Brent Bayless

Orvis Hot Springs, Ridgway

In nearby Ridgway and surrounded by the mountains, Orvis Hot Springs is one of the few clothing optional resorts around. There are six outdoor and three indoor options (bathing suits are required in the indoor pool between 7 am and 10 pm) and a sauna. A range of massage treatments are also available. Orvis also has six themed rooms for overnight stays. Bed and breakfast style, the rooms are tastefully decorated and share two full bathrooms that are accessed from a private hallway between rooms. Guests have 24-hour access to all of the hot springs facilities beginning the day of check-in through the entire day of checkout.

5 San Luis & Arkansas Valleys

Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort

Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, Nathrop

One of the better known hot springs in Colorado, Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort is a luxurious property in the mountains that has several geothermal springs. With 30 small pools in Chalk Creek, which runs alongside the property, as well as a historic bathhouse and the Upper Pools that are connected by a lazy river and features a 400’ water slide, Mount Princeton lives up to its name as a resort. It also happens to be close to both Monarch and Ski Cooper ski areas and so is popular in winter as an après ski destination. The surrounding scenery also helps to relax your mind as the geothermal water goes to work on your muscles.

Antero Hot Springs Cabins

Antero Hot Springs Cabins, Nathrop

Along the banks of Chalk Creek (the same creek that provides Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort with its 30 pools) in San Isabel National Forest, the three Antero Hot Springs cabins each come with a hot spring pool and, naturally, amazing views of the mountains. There is a range of extras that can be arranged including a visit from a massage therapist or a private yoga class.

Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa, Buena Vista

With several pools that range from 94 to 110 degrees F, Cottonwood Hot Springs caters to both day visitors and, thanks to creekside cabins and a lodge, overnight visitors, too. However long you are staying, Cottonwood offers various spa services including Swedish and deep tissue massages, hot stone therapy, salt scrubs, herbal wraps, aromatherapy, shiatsu and reflexology.

Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center, Salida

Open year round, the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center is located right in downtown Salida. Operated by the city, it is a community facility with a lap pool, fitness classes, a water slide and other activities for kids as well as a pool that is used for arthritis therapy among other things. There are also private soaking pools which can be reserved in advance.

Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa

Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa, Moffat

Bubbling up from beneath the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at 140 degrees F, Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa (open every day of the year) in Moffat, which is pretty much equidistant from both Alamosa and Salida, has three gravity-fed pools that range in temperature from 98 to 110 degrees F. Pools are emptied, cleaned and refilled daily.

Valley View Hot Springs, Villa Grove

A clothing-optional resort, Valley View Hot Springs is an hour from Alamosa and 45 minutes from Salida. Orient Land Trust, the nonprofit that operates Valley View, strictly limits the number of day and overnight visitors, so reservations are recommended. Six all-natural soaking ponds are found along wilderness trails while a hot tub and swimming pool are also available. The resort is closed from Dec. 1 - Dec. 29.