When crisp mountain mornings roll across Colorado’s high country, most travelers think hiking trails, alpine lakes and scenic drives. But those in the know? They head for the steam. For all its 14ers, rafting adventures and charming mountain towns, Colorado holds another kind of magic: natural hot springs found all over the state.
From rustic riverside pools to luxe alpine sanctuaries, here are four of the best Colorado hot springs to explore this summer and fall, plus ways to turn your trip into a full-on restorative escape.
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The Springs Resort
Pagosa Springs
You can’t talk Colorado hot springs without first speaking about one of its top destinations. Pagosa Springs is a quaint mountain town filled with plenty of resort and natural hot springs with a few free options available, too.
The motherload—or better yet, Mother Spring—is at The Springs Resort, and holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s deepest geothermal hot spring. It measures at 1,002 feet deep, but that was just how far the recording instruments could go before giving out. Unfortunately, with its unknown depth and extremely hot temperatures around 130 degrees, this isn’t a spring for swimming. But it is the source of many hot springs found at The Springs Resort.
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Nathan's Hippy Dip Hot Spring
Get a day pass or stay for the night and begin your soaking journey hopping between pools of varying temperatures. And by varying temps, they mean 45-115 degrees Fahrenheit. The area’s name, Pagosa, comes from the Ute word for “healing waters,” and after a long soak with the sun on your face, it’s easy to understand why. Rich in 13 elements and minerals, you could swim laps in hot waters or take a full cold plunge in other areas. There are around 50 different pools and springs at this resort, so the options are practically endless here. After dark, wrap up in a robe and step into the steam again because this is one of the best stargazing spots in the state.
If you’re thinking less luxury stay and more active day, the town of Pagosa Springs has plenty of hikes to the hot springs. Our pick would be the Nathan’s Hippy Dip Hot Spot. This is a public spring on the banks of the San Juan River, so it’s free to go, but note that being in the heart of the city does require all visitors to wear clothing (sadly). This spring is a short walk from the parking lot and there are many other small, shallow springs along the river if you’d like to wander a bit.
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Strawberry Park Hot Spring
Strawberry Park Hot Springs
Located in the town of Steamboat Springs, getting to Strawberry Park Hot Springs is an adventure in itself—4WD vehicles (or snow tires in the season) are required or you can take a shuttle from downtown Steamboat. It’s a bit of a trek, sure, but the reward is instant. You’ll find yourself in a rustic mountain fairytale, surrounded by pines and set beside a burbling creek. Fed by mineral water that’s been used for centuries, these soaking pools are carved into natural rock, with a scent of wood smoke in the air, and an unforgettable quiet only broken by the sound of water and wind. If you were disappointed earlier, these springs are clothing-optional, after dark, of course.
If you choose to stay the night, book one of the cozy rustic cabins or a converted train caboose to fully embrace your off-grid retreat. There’s no Wi-Fi, no cell service: just nature, steam and serenity.
Dunton
Dunton Hot Springs
Dunton Hot Springs
Luxury can be found in Southwest Colorado, too. Dunton Hot Springs is a small, private resort with high-end touches. Tucked in a restored 1800s ghost town near Telluride, it feels like stepping into a Western dream, complete with gourmet meals, a saloon-turned-dining-hall and, of course, the hot springs.
Each soaking spot here is different. One sits under aspens while the other beneath antique wood beams. It’s also home to Colorado’s only geyser, a tepid sulfur spring bubbling up about every 45 minutes. The vibe in this town is quiet luxury—think cashmere throws, library nooks and forest views. The water may look murky, but don’t let it fool you. Dunton Hot Springs' pools get their earthy hue from naturally occurring geothermal minerals and fine sediment rising from deep underground, rich in sulfur and other minerals long believed to soothe tired muscles and soften skin.
Though it may be one of Colorado’s more exclusive stays, the experience feels intimate and rooted in the land. This resort is adults only for a quiet getaway with your partner.
Courtesy of Iron Mountain Hot Springs
Iron Mountain Hot Springs Waterfall
Iron Mountain Hot Springs
Out in the Rockies in west Colorado are the Iron Mountain Hot Springs. Located in Glenwood Springs—an Old West mountain town filled with breweries, water rafting adventures and more—there are 27 completely natural hot springs to explore here. Soak surrounded by warmth as you view the Colorado River and take in the views of the Rockies. Nearby is also the country’s only natural underground steam baths, the Yampah Spa & Vapor Caves. For this one, you enter a cave and venture down a stairway through a corridor into three underground chambers. As you sink onto the marble benches, you’ll find a natural geothermal steam enveloping you—deeply relaxing and almost mediative. Running a bit hotter at 110-112 degrees Fahrenheit, this is meant to be a shorter soak session at about 15 minutes max. Reservations are required, although it is included with many of the nearby resorts.
Did You Know?
Hot Springs Trivia
Hot springs are Earth-heated. Groundwater travels underground, warms geothermally and rises back up naturally hot.
That silky feeling after soaking? That’s silica, one of the many minerals.
Hot springs have long been sacred. Indigenous communities used them for healing, gathering and restoration for centuries.
When You Go:
The Springs Resort
Nathan’s Hippy Dippy Hot Spring
uncovercolorado.com/activities/nathans-hippy-dip-hot-spring
Strawberry Hot Springs
Dunton Hot Springs
Iron Mountain Hot Springs