There’s something primal about soaking in naturally heated water while surrounded by untouched wilderness, like discovering a secret that Earth has been keeping just for you. While commercial hot springs resorts offer comfort and convenience, the real magic happens when you hike for hours through rugged terrain to reach thermal pools that few people ever see. These aren’t the manicured spas you’ll find along highways—they’re wild, natural hot springs that require genuine adventure to reach, where the journey becomes just as rewarding as the destination itself.
Here is a list of 20 hot springs hidden in remote wilderness areas, each offering a unique combination of natural beauty, therapeutic soaking, and the satisfaction that comes from earning your relaxation.
Conundrum Hot Springs, Colorado
Located 8.5 miles from the nearest road in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, these springs require a challenging hike through aspen forests and alpine meadows to reach the 100-degree pools at 11,200 feet elevation. The dramatic mountain backdrop of snow-capped peaks and the effort required to get there make every moment in the mineral-rich water feel like a hard-earned reward.
Winter access requires snowshoes or skis and creates an even more magical experience when you’re soaking in steaming water while snow falls around you.
Bagby Hot Springs, Oregon
Hidden deep in the Mount Hood National Forest, these rustic cedar soaking tubs fed by natural hot springs require a moderate 1.5-mile hike through old-growth forest to reach. The hand-built wooden tubs blend seamlessly into the forest environment, creating an experience that feels more like bathing in a fairy tale than visiting a traditional hot spring.
The combination of pristine wilderness setting and the craftsmanship of the wooden soaking structures makes this one of the Pacific Northwest’s most beloved hidden thermal retreats.
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Weir Hot Springs, California
Accessible only by a rough 4-mile hike or horseback ride into the remote backcountry of the Eastern Sierra, these springs offer multiple natural pools with temperatures ranging from warm to extremely hot. The springs sit in a stark desert canyon where the contrast between the hot mineral water and the surrounding arid landscape creates an otherworldly soaking experience.
Wild horses frequently visit the area, adding an element of wilderness magic that makes every visit feel like stepping into the Old West.
Alvord Hot Springs, Oregon
These springs require a trek across the remote Alvord Desert, one of Oregon’s most isolated landscapes, where visitors must navigate unmarked desert terrain to find the modest pools hidden in the sagebrush. The experience combines the challenge of desert navigation with the reward of soaking while gazing across endless playa and distant mountain ranges.
The night sky here ranks among the darkest in North America, making evening soaks under brilliant stars an unforgettable experience.
Spence Hot Springs, New Mexico
Located in the Jemez Mountains about 10 miles from the nearest town, these springs require a moderate hike down a canyon trail to reach several terraced pools overlooking the Rio Grande valley. The springs offer multiple temperature options as the hot water cascades down natural limestone terraces, allowing soakers to find their perfect comfort zone.
The remote location and spectacular views across northern New Mexico’s high desert make this feel like a hidden oasis in the American Southwest.
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Mystic Hot Springs, Montana
Tucked away in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, these springs require a challenging backcountry hike through bear country to reach pristine pools surrounded by mountain peaks and alpine meadows. The springs maintain consistent temperatures year-round, creating a steamy refuge even when surrounded by snow-covered peaks in winter.
The combination of genuine wilderness access requirements and spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery makes this one of Montana’s best-kept thermal secrets.
Kirkham Hot Springs, Idaho
These springs cascade down granite terraces along the South Fork Payette River, requiring a short but steep scramble from the highway to reach the natural pools carved into the rock formations. The hot mineral water creates multiple soaking opportunities as it flows down the granite steps, with each pool offering slightly different temperatures and views.
The sound of the rushing river below and the dramatic granite canyon setting create a perfect combination of adventure and relaxation.
Deep Creek Hot Springs, California
Located in the Mojave Desert about 8 miles from the nearest road, these springs require a challenging desert hike through rugged terrain to reach natural pools perched on cliffs overlooking Deep Creek. The springs offer spectacular views across the high desert while providing relief from the harsh landscape that surrounds them.
The remote location and dramatic setting make this one of Southern California’s most rewarding thermal destinations for those willing to make the effort.
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Sykes Hot Springs, California
Accessible only by an 11-mile backpacking trip through the Big Sur wilderness, these springs sit alongside the Big Sur River in a redwood grove that feels like nature’s own cathedral. The hike follows the river through diverse ecosystems, from chaparral to redwood forest, making the journey as spectacular as the destination.
The combination of ancient redwoods, rushing river, and naturally heated pools creates one of California’s most magical wilderness experiences.
Goldbug Hot Springs, Idaho
These springs require a steep 2-mile hike up a canyon trail to reach multiple terraced pools carved into a hillside overlooking the Salmon River valley. The challenging approach through rocky terrain rewards hikers with several different pools at various temperatures, each offering spectacular views across central Idaho’s rugged landscape.
The springs’ remote location and the physical effort required to reach them ensure that crowds remain small even during peak seasons.
Wild Willy’s Hot Springs, California
Hidden in the Eastern Sierra backcountry, these springs require a moderate hike through desert terrain to reach natural pools tucked into a rocky canyon setting. The springs offer multiple soaking options with water temperatures that vary throughout the year, creating different experiences depending on the season of your visit.
The remote location and the surrounding Sierra Nevada scenery make this feel like discovering a secret oasis in the high desert.
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Strawberry Park Hot Springs, Colorado
While the resort portion is easily accessible, the truly wild springs require a challenging hike further up the mountain to reach undeveloped pools in pristine wilderness settings. These upper springs offer a more primitive experience with natural rock pools surrounded by aspen and pine forests.
The combination of easily accessible and backcountry options makes this destination perfect for both casual visitors and serious wilderness enthusiasts.
Jerry Johnson Hot Springs, Idaho
Located along the Warm Springs Creek in the Clearwater National Forest, these springs require a moderate 1-mile hike through dense forest to reach a series of natural pools carved into granite bedrock. The springs offer multiple soaking opportunities with varying temperatures, from comfortably warm to intensely hot, allowing visitors to customize their experience.
The pristine forest setting and crystal-clear pools make this one of Idaho’s most beautiful hidden thermal destinations.
Boiling River, Yellowstone
This unique hot spring experience requires a short but sometimes challenging hike along the Gardner River to reach the point where hot springs flow directly into the cold river. Soakers can position themselves where the hot and cold-water mix to find their ideal temperature while enjoying views of the surrounding Yellowstone wilderness.
The experience combines the thrill of soaking in a major river with the luxury of naturally heated water in one of America’s most famous wild landscapes.
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Terrace Hot Springs, British Columbia
These remote springs in the Canadian Rockies require a multi-day backpacking trip through pristine wilderness to reach natural pools surrounded by snow-capped peaks and alpine meadows. The springs offer multiple terraced pools with spectacular mountain views that change dramatically with the seasons.
The commitment required to reach these springs ensures an authentic wilderness experience far from any signs of civilization.
Kerosene Creek, New Zealand
Hidden in the geothermal region near Rotorua, this natural hot spring requires a short hike through native New Zealand bush to reach a warm creek where visitors can soak in naturally heated flowing water. The creek maintains comfortable temperatures year-round and flows through a beautiful forest setting that showcases New Zealand’s unique ecosystem.
The experience of soaking in a warm natural stream surrounded by tree ferns and native birds creates a distinctly New Zealand wilderness adventure.
Travertine Hot Springs, California
Located near the eastern boundary of Death Valley, these springs require a moderate desert hike to reach terraced mineral pools with spectacular views across the Mojave Desert. The mineral-rich water has created elaborate travertine formations over thousands of years, building natural bathing pools that look like works of art.
The contrast between the harsh desert environment and the comfort of warm mineral water makes this one of the Southwest’s most unique thermal experiences.
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Granite Hot Springs, Wyoming
Accessible only during summer months via a forest service road followed by a short hike, these springs sit in a pristine mountain setting within Bridger-Teton National Forest. The developed pool maintains comfortable temperatures while offering views of the surrounding Gros Ventre Range and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities.
The seasonal access and mountain location create a sense of exclusivity that makes each visit feel special.
Wild Willy’s Hot Springs, Nevada
These desert springs require navigation across unmarked terrain in the Black Rock Desert region to reach natural pools hidden among sagebrush and volcanic formations. The springs offer a true adventure experience where finding the pools becomes part of the challenge, rewarding successful explorers with hot mineral water and vast desert views.
The remote location and navigation requirements ensure that visitors have earned their relaxation through genuine desert exploration.
Remmel Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hidden along the Ouachita River, these springs require a canoe or kayak trip followed by a short hike to reach natural pools carved into the riverbank limestone. The springs maintain comfortable temperatures year-round and offer a unique combination of river adventure and thermal soaking in the heart of Arkansas’s wilderness.
The requirement for water-based access keeps these springs relatively unknown despite their accessibility to determined adventurers.
Soak in the Wild
These hidden thermal treasures represent some of the last places where you can experience hot springs as nature intended—wild, undeveloped, and requiring genuine effort to reach. Each offers its combination of natural beauty, therapeutic benefits, and the deep satisfaction that comes from discovering something truly special through your efforts.
Whether you’re drawn to desert oases, mountain retreats, or forest sanctuaries, these remote hot springs prove that the best experiences often require leaving the beaten path and earning your rewards through adventure and determination.
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