Colorado’s Rocky Mountains hide dozens of natural hot springs that offer therapeutic soaking opportunities far from crowded resort towns and commercial developments. These geothermal features range from roadside pools to remote wilderness destinations that require serious hiking to reach, creating experiences that appeal to everyone from casual soakers to adventure seekers.
The springs vary dramatically in temperature, mineral content, and accessibility, with some offering developed facilities while others remain completely natural. Here’s a list of 18 hidden hot springs that showcase Colorado’s diverse geothermal landscape.
Conundrum Hot Springs
Located 8.5 miles from Aspen via a challenging mountain trail, these springs sit at 11,200 feet elevation in a pristine alpine setting. The three natural pools range from 98 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, creating perfect soaking temperatures against a backdrop of towering peaks.
The difficult access keeps crowds manageable, though the springs’ reputation means you’ll rarely have them completely to yourself.
Strawberry Park Hot Springs
This Steamboat Springs area facility offers both developed and natural soaking options, with pools ranging from 101 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The springs operate year-round, creating a surreal experience of soaking in hot water while snow falls around you during winter months.
The facility allows clothing-optional soaking after dark, creating a more natural experience for those seeking it.
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Valley View Hot Springs
Located in the San Luis Valley, this clothing-optional resort offers multiple pools with temperatures ranging from 85 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The springs provide stunning views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains while maintaining a relaxed atmosphere that encourages longer soaking sessions.
The facility’s commitment to preserving the natural environment creates an experience that feels more like camping than visiting a resort.
Radium Hot Springs
These undeveloped springs near Kremmling require a short hike to reach pools that maintain temperatures around 96 degrees Fahrenheit. The springs flow directly from the hillside into stone-lined pools that volunteers have improved over the years.
The location’s relative obscurity means you’ll often find yourself alone with the sounds of flowing water and mountain wildlife.
Cottonwood Hot Springs
Located near Buena Vista, this facility offers both indoor and outdoor pools fed by natural springs with temperatures ranging from 98 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The outdoor pools provide mountain views, while the indoor facilities allow year-round soaking regardless of weather conditions.
The springs’ high mineral content creates water that feels silky against the skin.
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Mount Princeton Hot Springs
This resort near Nathrop combines developed facilities with natural riverside pools that create diverse soaking experiences. The natural pools along Chalk Creek offer primitive soaking with temperatures around 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
The contrast between the resort’s amenities and the wild creek-side springs allows visitors to choose their preferred level of comfort.
Orvis Hot Springs
Located near Ridgway, this clothing-optional facility offers multiple pools and a private setting that encourages relaxation. The springs maintain temperatures between 100 and 112 degrees Fahrenheit, creating options for different comfort levels.
The facility’s commitment to creating a natural environment includes minimal lighting and rustic facilities that blend with the surrounding landscape.
Waunita Hot Springs
This remote resort south of Gunnison offers natural springs in a wilderness setting that requires driving several miles on dirt roads to reach. The springs maintain temperatures around 185 degrees Fahrenheit at the source, cooling to comfortable soaking temperatures as they flow through multiple pools.
The isolation creates an experience where you’ll hear nothing but wind through the aspens and the sound of flowing water.
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Dunton Hot Springs
Located in a restored ghost town near Telluride, this luxury resort combines natural springs with upscale accommodations in a dramatic mountain setting. The springs flow into both indoor and outdoor pools, with temperatures maintained around 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
The restored mining town atmosphere creates a unique backdrop where soaking happens, surrounded by authentic Old West buildings.
Pagosa Hot Springs
This town’s geothermal activity creates multiple soaking opportunities, from the developed resort pools to natural riverside springs along the San Juan River. The springs produce some of Colorado’s hottest natural water, with source temperatures exceeding 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
The variety of facilities means you can choose between luxury resort amenities and primitive natural pools.
Piedra River Hot Springs
These undeveloped springs near Pagosa Springs require a moderate hike along the Piedra River to reach pools that maintain temperatures around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The springs flow directly from the riverbank into stone-lined pools that create perfect soaking conditions.
The location’s remoteness means you’ll often share the experience only with the occasional backpacker or local who knows the area.
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South Canyon Hot Springs
Located near Glenwood Springs, these natural pools require a short hike to reach soaking areas that maintain temperatures between 98 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit. The springs flow from the hillside into pools that offer views of the Colorado River valley below.
The proximity to Glenwood Springs creates easy access while maintaining a wild feeling that commercial facilities can’t match.
Penny Hot Springs
These roadside springs near Carbondale offer easy access to natural pools that maintain temperatures around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The springs flow directly into the Crystal River, creating a unique soaking experience where hot spring water mixes with cold mountain runoff.
The location’s visibility from the highway means it’s rarely empty, but the natural setting creates a genuine hot springs experience.
Trimble Hot Springs
Located near Durango, this facility offers both developed pools and natural riverside soaking areas along the Animas River. The springs maintain temperatures between 98 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit, creating options for different preferences.
The combination of amenities and natural features makes this spot perfect for families who want comfort alongside an authentic hot springs experience.
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Rainbow Hot Springs
These undeveloped springs near Pagosa Springs require a challenging hike to reach pools that maintain temperatures around 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The springs flow from multiple sources, creating a series of pools at different temperatures and mineral concentrations.
The difficult access keeps crowds away, creating a wilderness-soaking experience that feels completely removed from civilization.
Glenwood Hot Springs
While not exactly hidden, the natural caves and vapor pools at this famous resort offer experiences that most visitors miss. The caves maintain temperatures around 125 degrees Fahrenheit, creating an intense sweating experience followed by cooling dips in the main pools.
The facility’s size means you can find quiet corners even during busy periods.
Avalanche Ranch Hot Springs
Located near Carbondale, this clothing-optional facility offers natural pools in a private setting surrounded by mature trees. The springs maintain temperatures between 98 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit, creating perfect soaking conditions year-round.
The facility’s commitment to preserving the natural environment includes minimal development and strict policies about respecting the landscape.
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Healing Waters in High Country
Colorado’s hidden, hot springs prove that the state’s natural treasures extend far beyond its famous ski slopes and hiking trails, with geothermal features that create therapeutic experiences in some of the most beautiful settings in North America. These springs offer opportunities to connect with the landscape in ways that day hiking or casual sightseeing simply can’t match, creating moments of relaxation that restore both body and spirit.
The best part about discovering Colorado’s hot springs isn’t just the physical relief they provide but the way they connect soakers with the geological forces that continue to shape the Rocky Mountains thousands of years after the last ice age ended.
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