Best Hot Springs in Colorado
Colorado is known for its mountains, alpine lakes, and world-class ski resorts, but hidden throughout the state is another incredible natural treasure: geothermal hot springs.
The state offers everything from luxurious spa-style hot springs resorts to rustic natural pools you’ll find naturally occurring the valleys of the Rockies. Some are easily accessible near major highways and towns, while others require a bit more effort (and adventure!) to reach.
What they all are is the unmistakable sense of calm: soaking in the warm mineral water while surrounded by amazing views and fresh mountain air.
Also, hi there! My name is Sydney and welcome to my blog, The Après Society! I cover a variety of travel and skiing related topics, as these are my passions in life, and I am so excited and fulfilled to be writing about them. I hope this blog makes your life just a little bit better either with travel hacks, outfit inspiration, or just pure entertainment.
Strawberry Park Hot Springs
Just outside Steamboat Springs, Strawberry Park Hot Springs is my all time favorite hot springs! This secluded area feels like something you’d stumble upon deep in the mountains rather than a typical spa or resort.
What makes Strawberry Park so special is how natural it feels. Instead of large concrete pools, the soaking areas are built from stone and arranged along the hillside so the hot spring water flows from one pool into the next. Some pools are hotter, some are cooler, and part of the fun is moving between them until you find the perfect temperature!
Another reason Strawberry Park stands out is the nighttime experience. After dark the pools feel especially peaceful, and on clear nights you can look up and see an incredible number of stars. It’s quiet, laid-back, and feels a world away from busy ski resorts or crowded tourist spots.
If you want the hot springs experience that feels the most like being immersed in nature, Strawberry Park is easily one of the best in Colorado!
Pro Tips:
- You must book a reservation on their website HERE.
- You must have a 4-wheel drive car November 31-May 1st, and rental cars are not allowed. If you have a rental car, you can schedule a ride with their shuttle service.
- This resort is cash only.
Iron Mountain Hot Springs
If you head to Glenwood Springs, or are on your way to Aspen, one of the best places to soak is Iron Mountain Hot Springs.
Compared to some of Colorado’s rustic springs, Iron Mountain feels more modern, but it still has an amazing setting.
The hot springs sit right along the Colorado River, and the pools are built in tiers so they overlook the water and the canyon walls rising around it. There are more than a dozen small soaking pools scattered across the property, each with a slightly different temperature.
Some are warm and relaxing, while others are a bit hotter.
The views here are also incredible! While you are soaking, you can watch the river flow past while the mountains of Glenwood Canyon around you. It’s especially beautiful at sunset when the canyon walls catch the evening light or “alpenglow”.
Glenwood Hot Springs Pool
Just down the road from Iron Mountain is another famous destination: Glenwood Hot Springs Pool. This historic hot springs resort has been welcoming visitors since the late 1800s and is home to one of the largest mineral pools in the world!
The main pool is enormous—stretching over 400 feet long—and is fed directly by natural hot spring water from deep underground. Because of its size, the experience here is very different from smaller natural springs. Instead of quiet soaking pools, it feels more like a giant outdoor swimming pool with warm mineral water.
There’s also a smaller therapy pool kept at a warmer temperature for soaking and relaxation. It’s a great place to unwind after hiking in the surrounding mountains or exploring the nearby trails in Glenwood Canyon.
Glenwood Springs itself is a fun mountain town with restaurants, shops, and easy access to outdoor activities. Because of that, many people make a full weekend trip out of visiting the hot springs.
Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort
In the Arkansas River Valley near Buena Vista, Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort offers one of the most scenic hot springs experiences in the state of Colorado!
What makes Mount Princeton unique is the natural soaking area right in Chalk Creek. Large rocks have been arranged in the creek to create small pools where hot spring water mixes with the cool mountain stream. When you sit in one of these pools, warm water flows around you while the creek runs past.
It’s a really cool experience because the temperature changes depending on where you sit. Some spots are hotter, while others mix more with the cool creek water.
Above the creek, the resort also has several larger pools with incredible views of the surrounding mountains. Towering above everything is Mount Princeton itself, one of Colorado’s fourteen-thousand-foot peaks.
The entire area is incredibly scenic, and it’s a great stop if you’re exploring central Colorado or driving through the Arkansas River Valley.
Indian Hot Springs
If you’re looking for a hot springs close to Denver, Indian Hot Springs in Idaho Springs is one of the easiest places to visit.
The most unique part of Indian Hot Springs is its indoor mineral pool, which sits under a large glass dome filled with tropical plants and palm trees. It almost feels like stepping into a greenhouse spa tucked away in the mountains.
The resort also offers private soaking tubs and a natural vapor cave where steam rises from underground mineral water. The cave creates a natural steam bath that many visitors find incredibly relaxing.
Because it’s only about 30 minutes from Denver, Indian Hot Springs is a popular day trip.
If you’re looking for that “scenic” hot springs experience, maybe don’t choose this one, but it’s an easy way to experience Colorado’s geothermal springs without needing to drive deep into the mountains.
Wiesbaden Hot Springs
In the charming mountain town of Ouray, Colorado, Wiesbaden Hot Springs Spa & Lodgings offers a completely different kind of hot springs experience.
The most famous feature here is the vapor cave. Inside the cave, natural geothermal steam rises from the earth and fills the chamber, creating a natural steam bath. Visitors sit on stone benches inside while the warm mineral steam surrounds them.
Outside, there are several soaking pools where you can relax while looking out at the dramatic mountains surrounding Ouray. The town sits in a narrow valley surrounded by steep peaks, which is why it’s often nicknamed the “Switzerland of America.”
Wiesbaden feels quieter and more intimate than many larger hot springs resorts, making it a great place to unwind after exploring the San Juan Mountains.
Penny Hot Springs
For a completely natural hot springs experience, Penny Hot Springs near Redstone, Colorado offers something a little more adventurous!
Unlike most of the springs on this list, Penny Hot Springs is undeveloped and completely free to visit. The pools sit along the Crystal River, where hot geothermal water flows into the cold river water.
Visitors to this hot springs usually move rocks around to create small soaking pools where the hot water mixes with the river. Depending on the river level, the pools change shape throughout the year.
The setting is beautiful, with steep canyon walls and forested mountains surrounding the river. Because it’s less developed than other hot springs, visiting Penny Hot Springs feels more like discovering a hidden natural spot than visiting a resort.
Pagosa Hot Springs
In southern Colorado, the small mountain town of Pagosa Springs is home to one of the most famous geothermal areas in the state: The Springs Resort & Spa.
The hot springs here are fed by one of the deepest geothermal hot springs in the world, and the resort has built dozens of soaking pools along the banks of the San Juan River.
What makes Pagosa unique is just how many pools there are. Each one has a different temperature, ranging from warm soaking pools to very hot mineral baths. Visitors to this resort can move between them throughout the day, finding their perfect spot depending on how hot they want the water.
The setting is also beautiful. The pools sit right beside the river with mountain views in the distance, creating a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.
Pagosa Springs itself is a charming little mountain town that feels a bit quieter than some of Colorado’s bigger resort destinations. Many visitors combine the hot springs with hiking in the nearby wilderness or exploring the San Juan Mountains.
Why Hot Springs Are One of the Best Colorado Experiences
There’s something about hot springs that just fits perfectly with Colorado’s landscape. After a long day outside, whether that means hiking, skiing, or road-tripping through the mountains, soaking in warm mineral water is the perfect way to relax.
Every hot spring in Colorado has its own vibe. Some feel luxurious and spa-like, while others feel completely wild and natural. But they all share the same simple appeal: warm water, mountain views, and a chance to slow down.
Whether you’re soaking under the stars at Strawberry Park Hot Springs or floating in the historic pool at Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, these places offer a unique way to experience Colorado’s incredible scenery.
And once you visit one, it’s almost guaranteed you’ll start planning your next hot springs trip before you even leave.
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Final Thoughts: Best Colorado Hot Springs Locations
Colorado has no shortage of incredible places to relax in natural hot springs.
Some travelers prefer the quiet, natural feel of places like Strawberry Park Hot Springs, where soaking in the pools feels like being immersed in the wilderness. Others enjoy the comfort and variety of larger resorts like Iron Mountain Hot Springs or The Springs Resort & Spa, where you can spend hours moving between pools and enjoying the scenery.
No matter which one you choose, visiting a hot spring is one of the most relaxing and memorable ways to experience Colorado!
And once you’ve visited a few of them, you’ll quickly realize something: every hot spring has its own personality, its own setting, and its own reason to come back again.
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