There’s something magical about soaking in steaming hot water while snow falls around you or frost sparkles on nearby trees. Hot springs in cold climates offer the ultimate contrast experience — your body stays wonderfully warm while the crisp air fills your lungs and creates an almost surreal atmosphere.
From Iceland’s otherworldly landscapes to Japan’s snowy mountains, these natural thermal pools prove that winter doesn’t have to mean staying indoors. Here is a list of 20 incredible hot springs where you can experience this perfect temperature contradiction.
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
The Blue Lagoon sits in the middle of a black lava field about 25 miles from Reykjavik, creating one of the most striking visual contrasts you’ll ever see. The milky blue water maintains a comfortable 98–102°F year-round, while Iceland’s winter temperatures often hover around freezing.
The silica-rich water is a byproduct of the nearby geothermal power plant, making this both a natural wonder and an example of sustainable energy in action.
Chena Hot Springs, Alaska
Located about 65 miles northeast of Fairbanks, Chena Hot Springs offers the rare opportunity to watch the Northern Lights while soaking in 106°F water. The contrast becomes most dramatic during Alaska’s brutal winters when temperatures can drop to -40°F, yet the springs remain perfectly warm.
Local wildlife, including moose and arctic foxes, often wanders nearby, making every visit feel like a scene from a nature documentary.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN. content? Follow us on MSN.
Banff Upper Hot Springs, Canada
Perched high in the Canadian Rockies at 5,200 feet elevation, these springs provide stunning mountain views while you warm up in 104°F mineral water. The surrounding peaks stay snow-capped for most of the year, and winter visitors often spot elk grazing in the nearby valleys.
The springs have been attracting visitors since 1886, making them one of Canada’s oldest tourist destinations.
Jigokudani Monkey Park, Japan
This unique hot spring experience takes place alongside Japanese macaques who have learned to warm themselves in the thermal pools during harsh mountain winters. The monkeys’ bright red faces contrast beautifully with the white snow that covers the surrounding forest for several months each year.
Watching these intelligent primates relax in the same warm water creates an unforgettable connection between humans and wildlife.
Pamukkale, Turkey
The white travertine terraces of Pamukkale look like frozen waterfalls cascading down the hillside, but the pools contain naturally heated water that stays around 95°F. Winter temperatures in this region can drop to near freezing, creating actual ice formations that complement the calcium carbonate terraces.
Ancient Romans built the city of Hierapolis around these springs, and you can still see ruins scattered throughout the area.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN. content? Follow us on MSN.
Széchenyi Thermal Baths, Hungary
Budapest’s largest medicinal bath complex features outdoor pools that remain open even when snow blankets the city during the winter months in Eastern Europe. The main outdoor pool maintains a steady 100°F while locals play chess in the water, creating a uniquely Hungarian winter tradition.
Steam rises dramatically from the water surface when cold air meets the thermal springs, often creating an almost mystical fog that envelops the entire complex.
Glenwood Hot Springs, Colorado
This massive hot springs pool stretches over two city blocks and maintains perfect soaking temperatures even when Glenwood Springs experiences heavy snowfall. The 104°F water comes from deep underground springs that have been warming visitors since the late 1800s, including famous guests like President Teddy Roosevelt.
The surrounding Rocky Mountains provide a stunning backdrop that becomes even more impressive when covered in fresh powder.
Yellowstone Hot Springs, Wyoming
Yellowstone’s numerous thermal features create a winter wonderland where bison gather around hot springs to stay warm during brutal mountain winters. The park’s famous Grand Prismatic Spring continues producing its rainbow colors even when surrounded by several feet of snow.
Winter temperatures can plummet to -20°F, making the 200°F surface temperature of many springs feel like stepping into another world.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN. content? Follow us on MSN.
Bagby Hot Springs, Oregon
Nestled in the Mount Hood National Forest, these rustic cedar soaking tubs are fed by natural hot springs that maintain perfect temperatures regardless of Oregon’s wet, cold winters. The 1.5-mile hike through old-growth forest becomes particularly magical when snow dusts the massive Douglas fir trees overhead.
Local volunteers maintain the hand-built tubs, creating a community atmosphere that feels refreshingly authentic compared to commercial hot spring resorts.
Laugardalslaug, Iceland
This geothermal swimming complex in Reykjavik features multiple outdoor pools and hot tubs that remain busy throughout Iceland’s long, dark winters. The contrast of swimming in 85°F water while snow swirls around creates an almost meditative experience that locals consider essential for surviving the harsh Nordic climate.
Geothermal energy heats the entire facility, demonstrating how Iceland harnesses its volcanic activity for everyday comfort.
Takaragawa Onsen, Japan
This traditional Japanese hot spring resort features outdoor baths carved into riverbank rocks where guests soak while snow falls into the rushing mountain stream nearby. The mixed-gender outdoor baths maintain ancient Japanese bathing traditions in a setting that becomes particularly stunning during heavy snowfall.
Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, but the 104°F spring water keeps bathers comfortable while they enjoy sake and traditional Japanese hospitality.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN. content? Follow us on MSN.
Radium Hot Springs, Canada
Located in Kootenay National Park, these odorless hot springs offer relief from British Columbia’s cold mountain winters while providing views of snow-covered peaks. The springs maintain a comfortable 103°F temperature year-round, fed by underground sources that scientists believe travel over 40 miles through bedrock before surfacing.
Indigenous peoples used these healing waters for centuries before European settlers arrived in the early 1900s.
Hot Springs Cove, Canada
Accessible only by boat or floatplane, this remote Vancouver Island destination features natural rock pools where Pacific Ocean waves mix with hot spring water. Winter storms create dramatic wave action while visitors soak in the carved rock formations that nature spent thousands of years creating.
The 15-minute boat ride through Clayoquot Sound often includes opportunities for whale watching, making the journey as memorable as the destination.
Landmannalaugar, Iceland
This remote highland destination sits in one of Iceland’s most colorful volcanic regions, where rhyolite mountains create a rainbow landscape that becomes even more striking under winter snow. The natural hot springs maintain comfortable soaking temperatures while hikers warm up after trekking through some of Europe’s most dramatic wilderness.
Access requires a sturdy four-wheel drive vehicle, but the isolation makes every visit feel like discovering a secret corner of the planet.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN. content? Follow us on MSN.
Mystic Hot Springs, Utah
These terraced pools cascade down a hillside in Monroe, Utah, creating Instagram-worthy scenes when winter snow outlines each natural limestone formation. The springs produce water temperatures of up to 170°F, which cool to a perfect soaking temperature as they flow between different pool levels.
Vintage bathtubs positioned throughout the property add quirky charm while providing comfortable soaking options with mountain views.
Liard River Hot Springs, Canada
Located along the Alaska Highway in northern British Columbia, these springs offer a tropical oasis experience in one of Canada’s most remote wilderness areas. The boardwalk trail leads through the boreal forest to pools that maintain 108°F temperatures even when surrounding temperatures drop to -40°F.
Wildlife sightings include black bears, moose, and dozens of bird species that gather around the warm water microclimate.
Conundrum Hot Springs, Colorado
This backcountry destination requires a challenging 8.5-mile hike through alpine terrain, but rewards visitors with natural pools surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks in the Maroon Bells Wilderness. Winter access involves snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, making every visit an adventure that tests your commitment to the ultimate hot spring experience.
The springs maintain perfect soaking temperatures while offering views of some of Colorado’s most photographed mountain scenery.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN. content? Follow us on MSN.
Saratoga Hot Springs, Wyoming
This small town features a free public hot springs pool that locals and travelers share throughout Wyoming’s long, cold winters. The 120°F spring water gets mixed with cool water to create comfortable soaking temperatures while providing views of the Sierra Madre Mountains.
The community atmosphere makes every visit feel like joining a local tradition rather than visiting a tourist attraction.
Norris Hot Springs, Montana
Known locally as the ‘Water of the Gods,’ this family-owned hot springs features a vintage swimming pool fed by natural thermal water that maintains perfect temperatures during Montana’s harsh winters. Live music performances happen poolside during summer months, but winter visits offer peaceful soaking sessions with views of the Tobacco Root Mountains.
The retro atmosphere and affordable prices make this feel like stepping back into 1950s Montana.
Kirkjubæjarlaug, Iceland
This small geothermal pool sits next to a tiny church in a remote Icelandic village, creating an intimate hot spring experience away from tourist crowds. The pool maintains comfortable soaking temperatures while offering views across moss-covered lava fields that extend to distant glaciers.
Local tradition encourages visitors to respect the peaceful atmosphere while enjoying one of Iceland’s most authentic geothermal experiences.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN. content? Follow us on MSN.
Where Heat Meets History
These remarkable hot springs represent thousands of years of geological activity, creating perfect refuges from winter’s harsh embrace. Indigenous peoples discovered most of these thermal oases centuries before modern tourists arrived, using the healing waters for both physical comfort and spiritual renewal.
Today’s visitors continue this ancient tradition of seeking warmth and restoration in nature’s most generous gifts, proving that some human needs transcend time and technology. The rising steam from these pools connects us to both Earth’s molten core and our ancestors’ wisdom about finding comfort in the natural world.
More from Travel Pug
- 20 Best Beach Towns in the Carolinas
- 13 Destinations Where Tourists Regularly Regret Their Trip
- 20 Things You Actually Get in First Class
- 20 Small Airports With Aviation Museums
- 20 Places in the U.S. That Are Perfect for a Reset Trip
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN. content? Follow us on MSN.