Colorado's Hot Springs: From Resorts and Spas to Rugged Camping Trips

One of my absolute favorite things about Colorado is the mountains. They are what draw most people to the state, but I love them not only for their beauty or fantastic skiing but for their geological make up.

I know. Totally nerdy, but what's inside and underneath the mountains amaze me more than anything else I have had the opportunity to explore. The Continental Divide, to me, provides a window into the world below us, and the most relaxing manifestations of that world are hot springs.

​Waters from the surface seep down so deep into cracks between tectonic plates that they are heated by the magma of our Earth's interior. To me, that is absolutely mind blowing! I cannot see and learn enough about these places, yet I have only been to about a dozen of the state's 93 geothermal areas!
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The Lobster Pot at Hot Sulphur Springs Resort and Spa.

Even though I have only begun to scratch the surface, I want to share the locations I have been to, because each one is much different than the others! The Resort and Spa locations are listed first followed by Natural Springs. Each features directions from Denver, the cost of admission, and a little bit of my experience.

You can read more about all of the hot springs  and much more from across Colorado on my Colorado Travels Page, here!

Map created using Wanderlog, a road trip planner on iOS and Android

Resort and Spa Hot Springs 

Iron Mountain Hot Springs in Glenwood Springs.

Since the hot spring waters have to travel such far distances underground to be heated, many of the pools host lots of sediment and minerals from the porous rocks they flow through. These mineral rich waters have been a part of Colorado's history for centuries. Native American tribes believe some spring waters are full of healing powers while others are considered sacred. 

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Over the years, these waters became large tourist destinations. To protect many of the springs and their fragile surrounding areas, safer soaking areas were created for large crowds of people to come.

​These areas often boast board walks, designated man-made pools, and other amenities. These are now the most common kind of hot spring you will find in Colorado, and I've listed the locations I have been to.

The Springs Resort and Spa in Pagosa Springs.

The Springs Resort and Spa was the very first hot spring I went to in Colorado! It holds a special place in my heart for not only that reason but for the fact that I had the ENTIRE spa to myself. It was because of a snow storm, but it was still very relaxing and enjoyable. 
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Located in Pagaso Springs in Southern Colorado roughly 5 1/2 hours from Denver.
Cost $35 for adults to enter.

Click here to see more of my experience, or visit their website to book!
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Indian Hot Springs is the closest spring to Denver, and I cannot lie: It is one of my favorites. The indoor hot spring pool area doubles as a green house for huge tropical plants that surround the turquoise water. Plus, the geothermal caves are an incredibly therapeutic experience!

Located in Idaho Springs off of Interstate 70 roughly 45 minutes from Denver.
Cost $18-20 for adults depending on the day and $33-34 with access to the steam caves. Indian Hot Springs offers more amenities as well. ​

Click here to see more of my visit, or visit their website to book!
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Strawberry Park Hot Springs
​​was another spring that I visited during a downpour of snow, but is was pitch black and the middle of the night! Strawberry park stays open very late into the night, and after dark, clothing becomes optional. It is the perfect place to soak after a long day of skiing!

Located near Steamboat Springs about 3 1/2 hours from Denver.
Cost ​$15 for adults, and no children are allowed after dark.

​Click here to see more of my night or visit their website to book!
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Glenwood Hot Springs is the LARGEST mineral hot spring pool in the world. The 405 foot pool holds over 4-million gallons of "healing" waters that have served The Ute Indians and locals of Glenwood Springs for hundreds of years. 

​Located ​in Glenwood Springs about 3 hours from Denver.
Cost ​$29 for adults and children to enter. You can also purchase a gym pass, or if you stay at the lodge pool access is free. 

See my honest review in my video below, and look into spa, ski, and lodging packages on their website - here!

Iron Mountain Hot Spring is nestled in the side of the red walls of Glenwood Canyon and provided John and I with the best views of almost any hot spring I had been too. We went on a hot, summer day and enjoyed our time soaking along the  banks of the Colorado River.

​Located ​in Glenwood Springs about 3 hours from Denver.
Cost ​$25 for adults and children to enter.

Click here to see how we spent the day in Glenwood Springs, or visit their website to book!
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Orris Hot Springs is tucked away in The San Juan Mountains far south into the Western Slope of Colorado. This beautiful spa and resort boasts 7 different mineral pools.
PLEASE NOTE clothing is optional outside, and many patrons will be walking around nude. Children are absolutely not allowed here and no cell phones outside either.

Desert Reef Hot Springs was an oasis on a blustery day in the desert of the Pike's Peak region in Colorado's southern foothills.
NOTE - Clothing becomes optional at the single, large pool  after 6 p.m.
Also, since my visit this has been renovated so photos are not what it looks like currently.

Located in Ridgway, between Telluride and Ouray off "The Million Dollar Highway".
Cost $28 for all day, come and go, access.

Learn more about Orvis Hot Springs on their website, here!
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Located in Florence, Colorado, in the Royal Gorge Region about 2 hours from Denver.
Cost $20 for the day.

See more about my experience here​, or visit their website!
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Hot Sulphur Springs Resort and Spa boasts 22 different pools ranging in temperature and size. A girlfriend and I spent the entire afternoon exploring each and every pool and deciding which ones we liked best.

​Located in Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado, about 2 hours from Denver.
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See more about my visit here​,  or watch my YouTube video below. 

Mount Princeton Hot Spring Resort and Spa

I brought my mom to this beautiful mountain escape as her very first hot spring experience and it could not have been more perfect. at first we enjoyed the upper pools and their stunning views of the mountains. Then we went to the river side rock pools and my mom LOVED it! She said she had never felt so relaxed in a creek before.

Located: Buena Vista, Colorado, about an hour and a half from Denver. 

Watch my moms reactions in the video below and read more in my blog post here!

Natural Hot Springs

Not all Colorado hot springs are developed resorts and spas; some are simply holes in the ground that pool up with hot water. Some you have to hike miles to, and others are just on the side of the road. Like I said, I haven't been to all of them, but the few I have been to have been my absolute favorite!

There is something special about being able to swim and be warm while being surrounded by breathtaking views of Colorado mountains. This is definitely my favorite way to explore the state's hot gems.

Radium Hot Spring is the hot spring I have been to the most, nearly once a year every year I have lived here! Every time I have been has been a totally different experience. I've been in snow and scalding heat, and I've camped and fished in the area. The water isn't always hot, but the more aptly named Warm Springs Trail will lead you right down to it!

Located in Kremmling, Colorado, about 21/2  hours from Denver.
The Hike is about 1.5 miles to the spring, so 3ish miles round trip. Camping is allowed.

See more about my variety of trips here​, or watch my YouTube video from the latest visit below!

Conundrum Hot Spring requires a permit to camp, and permits are usually in high demand. I thought booking a trip in October would be fine, but John and I struggled with the snow pack and avalanche debris on the eight-mile hike up to the spring.

Located outside of Aspen in the Maroon Bells Wilderness
The hike is 8-miles one way, so camping is recommended
Cost under $10 for a permit to camp, but no permit is required to visit the spring!

Visit https://www.recreation.gov/permits/273336 to reserve your site.

See more about our visit here  or watch my YouTube video below!

I still have so many hot springs left to visit, and I can't wait to see how they compare to the amazing ones I have been to already! I will keep this list updated as I check more off.

Read more of my Colorado Adventures:
Spring Break Road Trip Through Rocky Mountain National Park
A Weekend in The Great Sand Dunes National Park
Spring "Breck"enridge - Skiing in Breckenridge