By
The GazetteJanuary 17, 2020 | updated 7 years ago
Steam rises while people soak in Strawberry Park Hot Springs near Steamboat Springs, Colo., on a frigid Wednesday afternoon on Dec. 18, 2019. The iconic natural spring fed pools attracts visitors all seasons of the year. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush The Gazette)
No matter the weather, a soak in a hot spring always sounds appealing. Here are some of Colorado’s most sizzling hot springs and what you can do besides soak (if you can manage to pry yourself out of the pool).
Take paths near the pools of Strawberry Park Hot Springs to an array of cabins, a train caboose and a covered wagon. (Chancey Bush, The Gazette file)1. Glenwood Hot SpringsGlenwood Hot Springs claims that its century-old pool is the largest of its kind in the world. An on-site spa, restaurant and athletic club are open year-round. In the summer, enjoy cabana rentals, water slides and a pool for the kids.Location: 401 North River Street, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601Website: www.hotspringspool.com (Courtesy of GlenwoodHotSprings Facebook page)2. Dunton Hot SpringsDunton was the only Colorado resort to make Condé Nast Traveler’s 2016 Gold List. When you’re not steamily soaking in a spring, bathhouse, cabin or river, take advantage of a wide variety of activities that range from horseback riding and fly fishing in the summer to dog sledding and ice skating in the winter.Location: 52068 County Road 38, Dolores, CO 81323Website: www.duntonhotsprings.com (Courtesy of www.duntonhotsprings.com)3. The Springs Resort & SpaThis resort, spa and mineral pool complex is situated atop the world’s deepest geothermal hot spring, according to the resort’s website. Sample a variety of the resort’s 23 mineral pools, grab a snack at the canteen (think lemon coolers, Frito pie, beer, wine and more) and take relation to a new level at the on-site spa.Location: 165 Hot Springs Boulevard, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147Website: www.pagosahotsprings.com (Kirk Speer, Gazette File Photo)4. Waunita Hot Springs RanchWaunita’s private swimming pool, fed entirely by natural hot spring waters, is one of the state’s largest, according to the ranch’s website. Waunita also features a hot tub fed by hot spring waters and a variety of activities like horseback riding, rafting, cookouts, fishing, square dancing and music.Location: 8007 County Road 887, Colorado 81230Website: www.waunita.com (Courtesy of www.waunita.com)5. Valley View Hot SpringsValley View Hot Springs offers visitors the opportunity to soak in a series of pools along wilderness trails while surrounded by “wildlife, birds, bats and plant life” and “dramatic geology,” according to its website. Valley View also offers nature hikes, an astronomy show and spa services.Clothing optional.Location: 64393 County Road GG, Moffat, CO 81143Website: www.olt.org (MARK REIS, GAZETTE FILE PHOTO)Cottonwood Hot Springs The Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn and Spa has several pools along Cottonwood Creek surrounded by the San Isabel National Forest. Location: 18999 Co Rd 306, Buena Vista, CO 81211 Website: cottonwood-hot-springs.com (Courtesy of outtherecolorado.com)8. Desert Reef Hot SpringThis hot spot is just half hour’s drive from the Royal Gorge and is a little gem that feels as if it’s in the middle of nowhere.Clothing optional.Location: 1194 Co Rd 110, Florence, CO 81226Website: desertreefhotspring.com (Courtesy of desertreefhotspring.com)9. Dakota Hot SpringsThis area, noted for its mild growing season, is commonly referred to as the Banana Belt of the Colorado Front Range.Clothing optional.Location: 1 Malibu Blvd, Penrose, CO 81240Website: dakotahotsprings.com (Courtesy of Martin Prosek, dakotahotsprings.com)10. Old Town Hot Springs Doubling as a fitness center, Old Town Hot Springs sits in the heart of downtown Steamboat and is complete with water-slides, massages, yoga classes, and of course, all natural hot spring pools.Location: 136 S Lincoln Ave, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487Website: oldtownhotsprings.org (Courtesy Photo, Corey Kopischke)Ouray’s historic Wiesbaden Hot Springs Spa and Lodgings has an outdoor pool, vapor cave and private tub.Location: 625 5th Street Ouray, Colorado 81427Website: wiesbadenhotsprings.com (Courtesy of outtherecolorado.com)12. Conundrum Hot SpringsThis may the highest hot springs in America, at 11,200 feet. These pools, reached by a 9-mile hike into the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, are incredibly popular; you can expect to find crowds on summer weekends.Clothing optional.Location: Click hereFind out more: AllTrails.com. (The Gazette)13. Mount Princeton Hot SpringsTucked amid the massive Collegiate Peaks of the Colorado Rockies, 14,000-foot hulks that form the spine of the continental United States, is one of Colorado’s most family-friendly hot springs resorts. People have been “taking the waters” here since 1867, and the historic bath house reflects that history.Location: 15870 Co Rd 162, Nathrop, CO 81236Website: mtprinceton.com (Courtesy of mtprinceton.com)14. Orvis Hot SpringsThis hot spot is surrounded by mountains off Highway 550, this remote hot springs resort is 8 miles from Ridgway State Park.Clothing optional.Location: 1585 Co Rd 3, Ridgway, CO 81432Website: orvishotsprings.com (Courtesy of Orvis Hot Springs’ Facebook)15. Iron Mountain Hot SpringsGlenwood Springs’ newest hot spot offers 16 mineral hot springs soaking pools and a freshwater family pool with a jetted spa.Location: 281 Centennial St, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601Website: ironmountainhotsprings.com (Courtesy of ironmountainhotsprings.com)16. Valley View Hot SpringsValley View Hot Springs offers visitors the opportunity to soak in a series of pools along wilderness trails while surrounded by “wildlife, birds, bats and plant life” and “dramatic geology,” according to its website. Valley View also offers nature hikes, an astronomy show and spa services.Clothing optional.Location: 64393 County Road GG, Moffat, CO 81143Website: www.olt.org (Courtesy Photo)
