Six of the best hot springs in Colorado
From luxury spa centers to rustic mountainside pools, the best hot springs in Colorado all offer 100 percent nature-based relaxation. Soaking in hot water has been proven to lower blood pressure, relax muscles, improve circulation, soothe aches and pains, and, of course, provide a mood boost. With dozens of hot springs to choose from, Colorado is just the place for a blissful hot springs soak.
Ready to add a hot spring visit to your Colorado vacation agenda? Nearly every major Colorado destination is within day-trip distance of a hot spring, so no matter where you stay, odds are you won’t be far from a soothing soaking pool. Add these six best hot springs in Colorado to your travel bucket list.
Nestled between towering granite cliffs and an open meadow frequented by elk, Penny Hot Springs boils up beside the shore of the aptly named Crystal River. The enriched mineral water is a searing 130 degrees Fahrenheit at the source, but once it mixes with the cold river water, it calms to a blissful 100–108 degrees—perfect for relaxation and restoring vitality to your hardworking body. There are no facilities here, so be sure to bring food, water, and anything else you might need.
Having a hot spring so close to amazing skiing almost seems like destiny—and maybe it is! Kids and families will find plenty of entertainment at Old Town Hot Springs, which features eight spring-fed pools to soak in, as well as water slides, aquatic climbing walls, tennis courts, and, of course, massages. The pools are all fed from the all-natural Heart Spring, which has been used for both physical and spiritual healing for over 100 years. Settle into the 102-degree water and feel all your worries drift away.
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Nestled between the snowy peaks of the San Juan Mountains and just a short drive from Telluride are the healing mineral waters of Ouray Hot Springs. Several pools of various temperatures make this one of the best hot springs in Colorado, where everyone can find their sweet spot. The public pools have undergone significant renovation in celebration of the springs’ 90th anniversary, so the pools are even better than before.
Browse Telluride vacation rentals for your visit to Ouray Hot Springs.
The perfect après-ski destination awaits at this Victorian-style hot spring in Pagosa Springs. You’ll forget all about your tired muscles when you gaze upon the mountain and river views from a rooftop tub or chat with friends in an indoor pool. If you’re craving extra relaxation, indulge in a professional massage from the on-site therapists. You can even bring your own beverage to Overlook Hot Springs Spa for a relaxing afternoon.
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Sitting on the banks of the Colorado River a few miles south of small-town Radium, this elusive hot spring is an adventurer’s dream. Whether you float downriver from town or hike in by foot, you won’t have much of a crowd to compete with for a spot in the large natural pool enclosed by rocks at Radium Hot Springs. On summer days, bask in the warm mineral waters then jump in the river for a refreshing dip in one of Colorado’s best hot springs.
Images courtesy of outdoorproject.com, J. Stephen Conn, Automotive Rhythms, visitpagosasprings.com, Uncover Colorado, Scott Hizny, and Pat (Cletch) Williams.
