Also referred to as the Centennial State, Colorado is endowed with beautiful sceneries and has the highest ground elevations of any state in America. In addition to more than 1,000 rock-strewn mountainous peaks towering over 10,000 feet and 54 soaring over 14,000 feet, there are also naturally-heated mineral water springs that visitors can explore. If you are not getting your heart racing with activities in the Colorado’s mountains, you probably are kicking back in the hot springs. You can sooth your sore muscles after taking part in skiing and hiking in the hot springs most of which also offer kid-friendly amenities and water slides.
If you are visiting Colorado and you would like to soak yourself in mineral-laden natural pools, you may want to consider these hot springs soaking spots:
Glenwood Springs
Sitting at the junction of Roaring Fork and Colorado rivers, the Glenwood Hot Springs are an iconic feature of the state. Glenwood Springs Pool resort has two hot springs, and is the location where Ute Indians spent their winter. The Ute Indian tribe is said to be among the earliest people known to soak in springs or healing waters and still use “Yampah”, the Ute name that translates to “Big Medicine”. Soaking in hot-mineral-laden waters and pools is regarded a time-honored healing tradition among different ancient cultures in the world one being the nomadic Ute Indians.
Today, Glenwood Springs Pool houses the largest hot springs pool in the world. Just some steps from the charming downtown of Glenwood, the hot springs facilities comprise of a kiddie pool, water slides, and 107- room lodge, and a spa. There are about 16 hot mineral-laden springs pools in addition to a freshwater pool comprising a jetted spa. You will find the spot nestling by the side of Colorado River transversely from the tram situated at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.
The source of Glenwood Springs is Yampah spring that streams in excess of 3 million gallons of hot water daily at roasting temperatures of 122 degrees Fahrenheit. It is among the hottest springs in the country and globally. As the water streams to get to the pools, it is cooled to reach idyllic 104 degrees Fahrenheit that is ideal for bathing and soaking. Being the largest on the world, the hot springs pool has plenty of room allowing visitors to swim, soak, and splash around and relax. During summer months, two slides operate – the Shoshone Chute and an Avalanche Falls Slide.
Hot Sulphur Springs
Found in the Hot Sulphur Springs Resort and Spa, the Hot Sulphur Springs are a quiet place to soak yourself. The hot springs resort is situated on the western side of Grand Lake and features numerous small, soothing pools besides some blazing hot springs. Visitors not only bathe in the steaming pools but also get massage and enjoy mud masks and herbal wraps. Ute Indians are the first inhabitants of the area and they believed that the hot waters had healing qualities. Ute Indians referred the springs as “big medicine” or “magic waters”. These people would soak and bath themselves as well as their children, dogs, and horses. They build winter hunting camps underneath the natural shelter formed by bluffs that enclose the Byers Canyon adjoining the resort.
Hot Sulphur Springs were first discovered by William Byers in 1840. Byers, realizing the economic potential the natural springs and baths had, he acquired the land. Being aided by the courts and U.S. Cavalry, he sneakily gained control of the mineral springs and later on gave the little town the name Hot Sulphur Springs. For more than 140 years, the Hot Sulphur Springs resort has continued to run and in 1997, following a huge renovation, the spiritual leader of the Ute tribe blessed the waters in a grand opening ceremony attended by more than 1000 people. Up to today, the Ute Indian tribes are welcome to utilize the hot springs, which have a historic meaning and healing properties to them.
Ouray Hot Springs
Nestling in a tense mountainous region southwest Colorado, the Ouray Hot Springs are a true gem for soakers and bathers wishing to immerse themselves in mineral spring waters. Ouray Hot Springs are found in San Juan Mountains and are regarded as the “Switzerland of America”. The springs pool nestles in a narrow valley encircled by snowcapped peaks rising 13,000 high. Visitors can get immediate peace away from the hustle and bustle city life as they explore the springs and view the breathtaking towering mountains. The large sulfur-free mineral pond resting on Main Street houses three slides and remains open year round. Visitors can also get massage.
Pagosa Hot Springs
Nestling in the lips of the gorgeous San Juan River within the San Juan Mountains, the Pagosa Hot Springs are dubbed the deepest geothermal hot springs in the world. In the resort housing the Pagosa Springs, there are a variety of pools having temperatures of 66 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The springs facility comprises a 79-room hotel. There are about 23 pools that vary in temperature and get their rich mineralized waters streaming from the deepest geothermal hot spring. Visitors can create lasting memories as they relish one-of-the-kind experience bathing in the springs and pools.
Strawberry Park Hot Springs
As you head to the north of the most populous Routt County city in Colorado named Steamboat Springs or simply Steamboat, you encounter chains of beautiful pools overshadowed by evergreen lands. Strawberry Park Hot Springs sits outside of the Steamboat and nestles next to Hot Springs Creek. The spectacular mineral springs gives visitors an opportunity to relax in a 104 degree steaming mineral waters while the famous Champagne Powder of Steamboat tenderly collects in the encircling forest. Visitors not only bath and soak themselves in the mineral hot pools but also enjoy massage in one of the splendid private massage huts or even a watsu therapy in the private pool.
After you have traded your wheels for hike boots and headed out on various backpacking and hiking trails, you can relax and soak in the pools. The Steamboat area has challenging backcountry hikes with breathtaking views, so a plunge to the hot springs will calm you down. Strawberry Park Hot Springs is a short drive upbeat the mountain.
Iron Mountain Hot Springs
Located alongside Colorado River and overshadowed by Rocky Mountainous peaks, Iron Mountain Hot Springs hosts about 16 geothermally heated soaking pools. Guests have a soothing and inspiring experience as they enjoy a pure soak – the way it’s intended by nature. Each of the pool offers a varying experience with a different shape and temperature. You will find pebble-bottomed reflexology pools, a waterfall pool, a heart-shaped pool ideal for romantics, and other pools featuring infinity views – no two pools are the same.
The hot springs pools at the Iron Mountain Hot Springs range in temperature from some warm 99 degree Fahrenheit to baking 108 degree Fahrenheit. As visitors have their bodies soothed by the steaming pools, they can drift their minds to the spectacular views of snowcapped Mount Sopris, the Roaring Fork Valley, Colorado River, and the rugged Red Mountain.
Mount Princeton Hot Springs
In the luxurious Mount Princeton Hot Springs resort are numerous geothermal springs. The hot springs sit within a natural setting with rocky surroundings. There are also human-built pools fed by the naturally heated geothermal waters. The resort is encircled by a splendid Rocky Mountain landscape offering a truly charming vacation experience for the visitors. Being in close proximity to Ski Cooper and Monarch ski areas makes the hot springs resort a perfect after-skiing muscle relaxant. About 30 small steaming pools are dotted in Chalk Creek that runs along the resort adding some super natural feel to visitors’ soaking experience.
Visitors can also get out to explore the surroundings including access to many art galleries, distilleries, breweries, shopping centers, and wineries in the Buena Vista and Salida towns.
Dunton Hot Springs
The hot springs in Dunton Hot Springs resort are set in a reclaimed ghost town. The unique destination of Dunton Hot Springs offers a great adventure while staying in the meticulously-restored ghost town of the 19th century. The hot springs five star property nestles against the a surrounding of the rocky San Juan Range and aspens. The area is dotted with mineral hot springs and historic log cabins stretching across 1,400 acres of land filled with wildflowers. The 19th century cabins were reclaimed by traditional craftsmen about two decades ago before being transformed into the luxurious retreat property. Visitors can have a chance to disconnect themselves from the day to day chaos by heading 30 miles southwest direction of Telluride. Since the area is ideal for rock climbing, heli-skiing, and hiking, visitors can indulge in these activities before they come back to soak in the hot springs.
Cottonwood Hot Springs
At the Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn and Spa in Buena Vista are a series of gravity-fed, geothermally heated mineral pools. The hot springs spa is set on the lips of Cottonwood Creek and hosts creek side cabins, tent sites in the middle of the Rocky Mountains and other amenities. The springs first thought to have been used for many centuries by Ute Indians were a spiritual gathering location for the nomadics. The hot springs have temperatures ranging from 94 degrees Fahrenheit to 110 degrees Fahrenheit making them ideal soaking pools. Visitors in the facility can also indulge in massage therapies, body wraps, salt scrubs, iridology, and reiki to derive that soothing experience they need to balance their mind, body, and spirit. After adventuring the Rocky Mountains by hiking, skiing, and walking, you can relax as you bath in the geothermal mineral springs.
Orvis Hot Springs
A local favorite, the Ridgway facility has seven naturally heated pools sitting in the San Juan Mountain paradise. Orvis Hot Springs facility is situated 8 miles on the north side of Ouray. The pools have temperatures ranging from 98 degrees to steamy ones like the “Lobster Pot” that can be as toasty as 114 degrees Fahrenheit. The “Lobster Pot”, which is considered the hottest of the Orvis Hot Springs is the smallest with temperatures of 108 to 114 degrees Fahrenheit. The exceptional gravel-bottom pond gives visitors an opportunity to enjoy the massaging waterfalls and Mount Sneffels vistas.
Outside the facility there are several pools to soak and are all fed with natural lithium hot waters. One pool named “The Pond” is touted as the largest in the facility with 40 feet in width and 5 feet in depth. The “Island Pond” measures about 20 feet in length and 8 feet in width while the depth goes 2 feet down. A waterfall feeds naturally pure crater steaming water into the Island Pond. Besides, Orvis Hot Springs has the “Smoker’s Pond” measuring 8 feet round with a soothing waterfall. The “Smoker’s Pond” has temperatures ranging from 103 to 107 degree Fahrenheit.
In addition to soaking in the hot ponds, visitors can also pamper themselves with massage therapies in one of the facility’s yurts.
Alpine Hot Springs Hideaway
Nestling in the middle of Collegiate Peaks mountains in Colorado, the hot springs facility is an ideal location for retreats. It is situated in the Chalk Creek Crayon and has beautiful, hand-built rock pools sitting underneath the huge evergreens in the Rockies. The hot springs have a source that can rise as high as 130 degrees Fahrenheit, but cool off to idyllic temperatures as they reach the facility. The hot springs facility has three bedroom house capable of accommodating about 12 people on a private enjoyment mission. A massage therapy helps spruce up your relaxation experience in the small house.
These are some of the natural hot springs spots you can unwind when visiting Colorado. Because Colorado is known for its mountainous landscape, there are so many activities like skiing and hiking or rock climbing which can leave you exhausted. After you have been to these grueling and challenging outdoor adventures, you can calm yourself with hot soaks in the steaming springs and ponds.
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