Ten memorable places to soak across Colorado’s mountains, valleys, forests, and desert landscapes.

Colorado has a long tradition of hot springs. Long before spa culture and modern wellness trends became fashionable, people were soaking in warm mineral water after long days in the mountains. Indigenous peoples across the region were known to visit these geothermal springs for rest, healing, and community long before Colorado became a state. Today, the state is home to more than ninety known hot spring areas, some developed into resorts and pools, and others still tucked into mountain landscapes. There are still undeveloped locations known by very few as well.

After years of traveling around Colorado, I’ve had the chance to experience a number of these springs myself. Each one feels a little different, shaped by its landscape, its history, and the community around it. As I begin a new wellness-focused series here at Best of Both Worlds, Colorado’s hot springs felt like the perfect place to start. Here are ten of my favorite places to soak. I explored this idea of travel and orientation more deeply in March’s Muse, which looks at how travel helps us find our bearings again. Most of them welcome day visitors and do not require you to stay overnight to enjoy the springs.

My Rating System

Each of these hot springs is unique, so I will look at several categories to explain why they made my list. I am not ranking them, and you may want to try them yourself.

When planning trips like this, I often sketch ideas out in the travel planners I created for Best of Both Worlds, which help travelers think through destinations, logistics, and experiences.

For this article, I am considering Luxury Tiers, ranging from rustic to moderate to luxurious. Wellness focus also varies across my top ten, and I will describe it as low, moderate, or strong depending on the features offered. Some hot springs are wonderful but have become very crowded in the past four or five years, so that is something I take into account as well.

Location and the surrounding community also matter, and my top ten includes springs located in forests, along rivers, in mountain valleys, in desert landscapes, and in towns across the state. Ease of access is another factor because being able to get there easily matters. Finally, I look at the overall vibe. Some feel like spa retreats, some are local hangouts, and others are rustic soaking spots that are quirky, unique, or feel like a quiet wellness sanctuary.

The Top Ten List:

Avalanche Ranch Cabins & Hot Springs

Avalanche Ranch is a beautiful glamping spot with a geothermal hot springs resort built in. TripAdvisor gives it about ~4.8 stars and Yelp about ~4.7 stars. It is located near Redstone, past Carbondale, in the Roaring Fork Valley along the Crystal River. It is a small, uncrowded boutique hot springs mini-resort with cabins, glamping, and beautifully landscaped pools. You must be a guest staying in the accommodations to use the hot springs, but it is well worth the effort to get there. The Carbondale area is a bit farther away from the I-70 corridor. I rate it Luxury Tier. It is peaceful with a strong wellness focus. The setting is a mountain valley with an intimate, cozy boutique vibe. Lodging: Yes | Day Pass: Not available (guests only)

Cottonwood Hot Springs

Cottonwood Hot Springs is located near Buena Vista, Colorado, just up Cottonwood Pass toward Crested Butte. TripAdvisor gives it a rating of about ~4.2 stars, and Yelp about ~4.1 stars. It is known as a quiet, rustic wellness retreat with simple, natural-feeling soaking pools and a peaceful mountain setting. While it offers hotel-style accommodations as well as private cabins with their own hot springs pools, you are allowed to visit and soak without having to book a reservation for lodging. I consider it the Rustic Tier with a strong wellness focus. Crowds tend to be quiet, and the setting is a mountain valley. Ease of access is moderate, and the overall vibe feels like a hippie wellness retreat. Lodging: Yes | Day Pass: ~$25 adult / ~$15 child

Durango Hot Springs Resort + Spa

Durango Hot Springs Resort + Spa is located just north of Durango, Colorado, and was formerly known as Trimble Hot Springs. TripAdvisor gives it a rating of about ~4.6 stars, and Yelp about ~4.5 stars. It has been nicely redeveloped in recent years and is now a modern spa-style hot springs resort with multiple soaking pools and upscale facilities. While it has become more polished than it once was, it still sits in a beautiful mountain valley setting just outside of Durango on the way to Purgatory Ski Area. I consider it the Luxury Tier with a strong wellness focus. Crowds tend to be moderate, the setting is a mountain valley, and ease of access is easy. The overall vibe feels like a modern spa resort. Lodging: Yes | Day Pass: ~$49 adult / ~$24 child

Glenwood Hot Springs Resort

Glenwood Hot Springs Resort is located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and has TripAdvisor ratings of about ~4.5 stars and Yelp ratings of about ~4.3 stars. It is one of the earliest hot springs resorts in Colorado that is still operating today and is considered a classic Colorado institution. The resort is known for its enormous mineral pool, one of the largest in the world, and for its historic setting in the heart of town. While the property does offer lodging, you do not need to stay there in order to use the hot springs, and it is very family-focused with plenty of space for visitors of all ages. I consider it the Moderate Tier with a moderate wellness focus. Crowds tend to be busy, the setting is a mountain town, and ease of access is easy. The overall vibe feels like a historic resort hot springs experience. Lodging: Yes | Day Pass: ~$38–$58 adult / ~$27–$34 child

Iron Mountain Hot Springs

Iron Mountain Hot Springs is located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and has TripAdvisor ratings of about ~4.5 stars and Yelp ratings of about ~4.6 stars. It is a newer spa-style hot springs resort located along the Colorado River, just outside the center of town. The property is known for its smaller soaking pools, beautiful river views, and its “hot springs around the world” concept. It sits near the base of the Glenwood Gondola, which takes visitors up Iron Mountain to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park and serves as a helpful landmark when finding the resort. The resort has expanded significantly in recent years, which has added more pools but has also brought very large crowds and changed some of the atmosphere it once had. It is the Luxury Tier with a strong wellness focus. Crowds tend to be very busy, the setting is riverfront, and ease of access is easy. The overall vibe feels like a modern soaking spa. Lodging: No | Day Pass: ~$45–$55 adult / ~$30–$40 child

Joyful Journey Hot Springs

Joyful Journey Hot Springs is located in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado and has TripAdvisor ratings of about ~4.6 stars and Yelp ratings of about ~4.4 stars. It sits in a high desert setting along Highway 17 beside the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range, making it easy to find when traveling through the valley. The springs are also located a short drive from Great Sand Dunes National Park, which makes it a wonderful place to soak after a day exploring the dunes. The property is known as a spiritual retreat with simple soaking pools, wide open views of the surrounding desert landscape, and some of the most incredible night skies in Colorado. While you do not need to stay overnight to enjoy the hot springs, the property does offer unique eco-lodging options, including yurts and teepees, along with cabins and traditional rooms for guests who want a more immersive retreat experience. I consider it the Rustic Tier with a strong wellness focus. Crowds tend to be quiet, the setting is high desert, and ease of access is moderate. The overall vibe feels like a spiritual wellness retreat. Lodging: Yes | Day Pass: ~$18 adult / ~$15 child

Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort

Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort is located near Nathrop between Buena Vista and Salida, Colorado, and has TripAdvisor ratings of about ~4.3 stars and Yelp ratings of about ~4 stars. It is a classic Colorado hot springs resort set in a dramatic river valley with beautiful views of the Collegiate Peaks. The property is well known for its soaking pools along the Arkansas River, and it also offers the option to soak directly in small pools naturally created along the river itself. The resort features a high-end hotel and restaurant and is considered one of the more established mountain resort hot springs in the state. I consider it the Luxury Tier with a moderate wellness focus. Crowds tend to be moderate, the setting is a river valley, and ease of access is moderate. The overall vibe feels like a classic mountain resort. Lodging: Yes | Day Pass: ~$30 adult / ~$20 child

Mt. Princeton’s Natural Pools Along the River

Old Town Hot Springs

Old Town Hot Springs is located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and has TripAdvisor ratings of about ~4.4 stars and Yelp ratings of about ~4 stars. It is considered the original hot springs in Steamboat Springs and today operates as a community hot springs recreation center used by both locals and visitors. Located right in town, it is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and easy access, making it a popular stop after skiing, biking, or exploring the area. I consider it the Moderate Tier with a moderate wellness focus. Crowds tend to be busy, the setting is a mountain town, and ease of access is easy. There is no lodging at these hot springs. The overall vibe feels like a community hot springs pool. Lodging: No | Day Pass: ~$26 adult / ~$17 child

Ouray Hot Springs Pool

Ouray Hot Springs Pool is located in Ouray, Colorado, and has TripAdvisor ratings of about ~4.5 stars and Yelp ratings of about ~4.4 stars. It is a large family-friendly hot springs pool set in one of the most dramatic mountain settings in Colorado, surrounded by steep cliffs in a beautiful San Juan mountain canyon. Located right in town, it offers expansive soaking pools with incredible views of the surrounding peaks. I consider it the Moderate Tier with a moderate wellness focus. Crowds tend to be busy in the summer, the setting is a mountain canyon, and ease of access is easy. As with Old Town Hot Springs, Ouray Hot Springs does not offer lodging. The overall vibe feels like a scenic mountain pool. Lodging: No | Day Pass: ~$20 adult / ~$14 child

Pagosa Springs – The Springs Resort & Spa

The Springs Resort & Spa is located in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and has TripAdvisor ratings of about ~4.5 stars and Yelp ratings of about ~4.4 stars. It is a riverside hot springs resort known for its dozens of soaking pools set along the San Juan River and for its strong spa culture. The property offers upscale motel-style accommodations and a wide range of soaking pools along the river. One thing visitors often notice is the strong sulfur content in the mineral water, which can leave a noticeable scent on your skin for a few hours after soaking. I consider it the Moderate Tier with a strong wellness focus. Crowds tend to be moderate to busy, the setting is riverfront, and ease of access is easy. The overall vibe feels like a relaxing riverside hot springs resort. Lodging: Yes | Day Pass: ~$65 adult / ~$35 child

Pagosa Springs Hot Springs Resort and Spa, Pagosa Springs, CO

Strawberry Park Hot Springs

Strawberry Park Hot Springs is located just outside Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and has TripAdvisor ratings of about ~4.4 stars with more than 2,400 reviews and Yelp ratings of about ~4.5 stars. It is a rustic natural soaking retreat set in a forest canyon with stone soaking pools built along a small creek. The setting feels especially magical in the winter when snow surrounds the pools and steam rises through the trees. Strawberry Park does not offer lodging and is strictly a soaking destination located about seven miles outside of town. I consider it the Rustic Tier with a moderate wellness focus. Crowds tend to be moderate to busy in the evenings, the setting is a forest canyon, and ease of access is moderate. The overall vibe feels like a rustic mountain retreat. Lodging: No | Day Pass: ~$20–$25 adult / ~$10–$15 child

Strawberry Hot Springs, Outside of Steamboat Springs, CO

Final Thoughts

Hot springs have always been one of Colorado’s simplest pleasures. After skiing, hiking, cycling, or long road trips across the state, slipping into warm mineral water is a reminder that sometimes the best travel experiences are also the most restorative. Colorado’s hot springs vary widely in setting, atmosphere, and amenities, which is part of what makes exploring them so interesting. As this wellness series continues, I will be sharing more places and experiences that help travelers slow down and reconnect with the places they visit. I highly recommend trying Colorado’s hot springs and deciding for yourself how you would rate them.

When I travel, I often think about the food experiences that shape a trip as well, which I wrote about in my article on designing a food strategy while traveling.

Top Ten Hot Springs in Colorado