Summary
- 1. Trimble Hot Springs, Durango
- 2. SunWater Spa, Manitou Springs
- 3. Waunita Hot Springs, Gunnison
- 4. Wiesbaden Hot Springs, Ouray
- 5. Avalanche Ranch Cabins and Hot Springs, Redstone
- 6. Antero Hot Springs Cabins, Nathrop
- 7. Desert Reef, Florence
- 8. Orvis Hot Springs, Ridgway
- 9. Ouray Hot Springs, Ouray
From family-friendly to vapor caves, add these natural wonders to your list.
When the air grows chilly and snow blankets the ground, Mother Nature knows how to combat the cold.
Colorado is home to over 30 natural hot springs. Some offer luxurious spa treatments, while others are outdoors, surrounded by majestic mountains and the open sky. Whether rugged, historical, or family-friendly with water slides and waterfalls, Colorado’s hot springs are an essential highlight for visitors year-round.
Popular hot springs like Glenwood Springs and Pagosa Springs are well-known among locals and tourists alike. However, there are numerous lesser-known hot springs throughout the state worth exploring. Here are nine Colorado hot springs you might not know about—each offers a unique experience.
01. Trimble Hot Springs, Durango
Address: Trimble Hot Springs, Colorado 81301, USA.
Trimble Hot Springs in Durango is unique—the only naturally hot waters accessible to the public north of Durango. Rich in minerals, particularly calcium bicarbonate, the chemical-free pools boast healing properties. The springs were first utilized by Ancestral Puebloans and later rediscovered by Frank Trimble, leading to the establishment of public pools in the area.
Health benefits may include improved metabolism, muscle relief, enhanced sleep, and better circulation. Water from three wells reaches up to 123 degrees but is cooled to a comfortable 100 to 110 degrees in the therapy pools. Families can enjoy a cooler community pool while the Half-Moon Pool offers a hotter experience.
Although warmer soaks are available, the Olympic pool provides a refreshing alternative at around 82 degrees, perfect for younger children.
Mix your swimming with massages at Trimble Spa for a complete self-care experience.
02. SunWater Spa, Manitou Springs
Address: 514 El Paso Blvd, Manitou Springs, CO 80829-1818, USA.
Phone: +1 719-695-7007.
SunWater Spa offers a unique blend of wellness—combining hot water with yoga, Thai yoga, and water shiatsu sessions. Guests can relax in cedar wood tubs heated by solar panels. With seven public pools providing scenic views of Pikes Peak, the spa truly is a tranquil getaway.
Additionally, the water contains cedar oil, known for its skin health benefits, creating a delightful aroma not often associated with hot springs.
Mineral water, sourced from the Seven Minute Spring, typically ranges from 100 to 104 degrees, offering a milder experience than many Colorado hot springs.
03. Waunita Hot Springs, Gunnison
Address: Waunita Hot Springs, CO 81230, USA.
Waunita Hot Springs features one of the largest private pools in Colorado, filled entirely with geothermal hot springs water. At around 95 degrees, this spring offers a gentle relaxing soak, with a nearby hot tub maintained at 100 degrees for those seeking a warmer experience.
With its historical connections to native tribes drawn to the area’s natural healing waters, this remote lodge offers a serene atmosphere. Beyond the springs, activities include horseback riding, fishing, and hiking, making it a perfect weekend retreat.
Visitors looking for an authentic Western experience will find much to love about Gunnison, making the drive worthwhile for a weekend getaway close to Denver.
04. Wiesbaden Hot Springs, Ouray
Address: 625 5th St, Ouray, CO 81427, USA.
Phone: +1 970-325-4347.
Wiesbaden Hot Springs and Vapor Caves offer a unique blend of historic charm and modern wellness. Located in Ouray, the lodge features geothermal heating and a serene spa atmosphere. Visitors can immerse themselves in the vapor caves—natural, flowing caves with a 108-degree dip pool—before enjoying treatments like massages and body wraps.
Guests may also relax in an outdoor pool that averages between 99 and 102 degrees, all while taking in stunning mountain views.
The hot springs draw from the San Juan Mountains and offer chemical-free water that constantly flows through the pools, creating a rejuvenating experience.
05. Avalanche Ranch Cabins and Hot Springs, Redstone
Address: 12863 CO-133, Redstone Historic District, CO 81623, USA.
Phone: +1 970-963-2846.
The Avalanche Ranch Cabins provide a mountain getaway experience with direct access to three natural hot springs pools available 24/7. Nestled on 36 acres, the ranch is perfect for a nature escape. Activities include snowshoeing, hiking, and fishing, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
Guests can unwind at the hot springs, located just steps away from the cabins, with beautiful views of Mount Sopris and the surrounding wilderness.
06. Antero Hot Springs Cabins, Nathrop
Address: 16120 Co Rd 162, Nathrop, CO 81236, USA.
Phone: +1 970-395-6442.
Guests at the Antero Hot Springs Cabins enjoy the advantage of private hot springs pools just outside their cabins. Filled with water from a nearby hot spring, these pools provide a customizable soaking experience, with temperatures ranging from 100 to 112 degrees.
The low sulfur content makes these springs enjoyable even for those sensitive to mineral odors. Set against the backdrop of the San Isabel National Forest, guests can partake in fishing, biking, and wildlife exploration while enjoying the tranquility of their cabin.
07. Desert Reef, Florence
Address: 1194 Co Rd 110, Florence, CO 81226, USA.
Phone: +1 719-784-6134.
Located in south central Colorado, Desert Reef Hot Spring is a unique spa destination near the Royal Gorge. Featuring a waterfall, expansive deck, and a refreshing desert ambiance, this hot springs offers visitors a chance to relax in mild weather year-round.
Discovered during oil drilling, the springs’ water maintains a consistent temperature of around 100 degrees, creating a pleasant escape only 90 minutes from Denver. Notably, it is both family-friendly and clothing-optional, providing a unique experience tailored to guests’ preferences.
08. Orvis Hot Springs, Ridgway
Address: 1585 County Rd #3, Ridgway, CO 81432, USA.
Phone: +1 970-626-5324.
Orvis Hot Springs invites visitors to experience its unique Lobster Pot pool, which can reach temperatures of 114 degrees. With seven additional pools ranging between 98 and 112 degrees, each offers a distinctive mineral experience. Guests are encouraged to engage with the grounds’ natural beauty, featuring gravel-bottom ponds and lovely gardens, creating a tranquil oasis in the San Juan Mountains.
Orvis stands out as a tech-free zone, encouraging guests to disconnect and immerse themselves in nature’s serenity.
09. Ouray Hot Springs, Ouray
Address: 1220 Main St, Ouray, CO 81427, USA.
Phone: +1 970-325-7073.
Ouray Hot Springs has undergone significant renovations, enhancing its offerings for visitors, especially families. With multiple pools ranging from 80 to 105 degrees, delightful features like a water slide, obstacle course, and dedicated areas for children make this a fun destination for all ages.
The infrastructure improvements also include scenic waterfalls and a new bathhouse, ensuring a refreshing and enjoyable experience against the backdrop of the breathtaking Ouray mountains.
Ouray County itself is renowned for its hot springs, providing a variety of options that showcase unique mineral compositions amidst stunning natural landscapes.
