8 Great Colorado Hot Springs For Relax & Soak

Dani — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 15:57:09 +0000

Colorado offers about 90 mineral hot springs in the state. Some of them are well developed, while others are wild, and you need to hike there. So far, we have been to seven of the paid pools and found one, free of charge. Check our list with eight Colorado hot springs where you can relax and soak your body all year round.

Strawberry Hot Springs near Steamboat Springs

Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs is one of the best springs we have visited. It is located in the Rocky Mountains, about 7 miles north of Steamboat Springs, and 160 miles northwest of Denver. You can combine your ski, hiking, or biking trip with a visit to Strawberry Hot Springs. The 3 hours drive is worth it for a soak at these beautiful natural hot springs.

We visited in winter, and it was a magical picture with the snow around us.

Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs Details

Entrance fee: $20.00 cash or checks only, no credit cards accepted
Reservations: Required at their website. No walk-ups
Open daily 10 AM – 10 PM
2 hours limit at the pools
Dogs are prohibited.
Restrooms are in operation with limited changing room facilities. It is highly recommended to arrive wearing a swimsuit to expedite entering the pools.
Address: Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs, 44200 Co Rd 36, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487

Soak your body in the dessert - Sand Dunes Swimming Pool & RV Park

Combine your trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park with a soaking at the lovely Sand Dunes Swimming Pool & RV Park at Hooper, CO. You can find it 30 miles west of the national park and add it as an additional stop to your trip.

Right in the desert, this complex offers a relaxing atmosphere, a large mineral pool, and even an adult-only area called Greenhouse. They also provide food, drinks, and camping sites.

We’ve been there twice, and both times, we had a great time.

The Greenhouse

The 10,000-square foot Greenhouse features three small soaking tubs with varying temperatures and a 10×75 foot zero-entry pool. It is a pretty cool place, especially evening time.

There is also a beautiful water fountain feature, a ten-person sauna, gardens, numerous patio spaces, and an onsite Steel Box Bar. The best part of this place is that it’s for adults only.

Furthermore, you will find an excellent campground and RV park behind the pool. Easily can stay a night or two while exploring the area around. They have good showers/ bathrooms, and the tent locations are perfect. Keep in mind that on-site campers have the opportunity to reserve up to two Greenhouse slots per day, which is the best part.

Sand Dunes Swimming Pool & RV Park Details

Admission rates are $15.00 for the Main Pool (ages 13 & up) and a Greenhouse add-on fee of $5.00. Children 12 and under pay $10.00, and under 2 years old get free admission.
Summer Hours: 10 am – 10 pm
Lap Swimming: 9 am – 10 am
Closed Thursdays

For GREENHOUSE only (Must be 21+ years old)
10 am – 10 pm 2 Hour Time Slots (March-November)
1 pm – 8 pm (December-February)
*Reservations Required for Greenhouse Entry*
Closed Thursdays

Address: Sand Dunes Recreation, 1991 Co Rd 63, Hooper, CO 81136

Keep in mind, that you will need a reservation only for the Greenhouse and should not make a reservation for the Main pool before entering it.

Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa

Another favorite Colorado hot spring is Cottonwood Hot Springs, near Buena Vista. You will find this place in a high mountain natural ecosystem area of the majestic Collegiate Peaks Range, bordered by Cottonwood Creek and surrounded by the San Isabel National Forest.

This paradise is 5.5 miles west of the picturesque town of Buena Vista and about 2.5 hours drive from Denver.

Soak in Colorado’s purest, geothermal, gravity-fed mineral waters. Historically noted for their medicinal and therapeutic value, the springs were used for centuries by the Ute Indians as a spiritual gathering place.

Stay for the night

On the other hand, Cottonwood offers a good lodging option with rooms, cabins, tent sites, and dormitories. The first time we went there, we stayed in a double room in one of their shared houses, Terra Verde. It was a 5-bedroom beautiful house, located 1.5 miles down the road from the pools. Unlimited access to the hot springs is included in the room rate, which we used wisely 🙂

Cottonwood Creek is passing through the resort. You can hang out there on the provided chairs and tables.

Cottonwood Hot Springs Details

Average Water Temperatures: Head: 104* Elbow:106* Belly: 85* Watsu: 90* Cold Plunge: 80*
Soaking Hours: 8 am – 12midnight – 7 days a week
Hot Springs rates: Includes use of Natural Stone soaking tubs & dry sauna. Towels are not included but are available for rent.
Weekdays (Mon-Thurs)
Adults – $20.00
Children – $18.00 under 16
Weekends (Fri, Sat, Sun) and All Holidays
Adults – $24.00
Children – $20.00 under 16
Reservations are not required. Alcohol, food, smoking, dogs, and glass are not permitted in the soaking tub areas.
Swimsuits are required at all times.
Children 16 and under must vacate the soaking tubs after dark.
Address: Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa, 18999 County Road 306, Buena Vista, CO 81211

Hot, Hot & Sulphur - Hot Sulphur Springs near Granby

Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa is located 97 miles northwest of Denver, in the small town of Hot Sulphur Springs. It offers several hot pools spread throughout the property. You can also stay at their lodge for the night and relax.

Hot Sulphur Springs Details

Admission: $20.00 per person
Open daily 8 AM – 10 PM
Reservations are not required.

2 – hour sessions for the hot spring pools are no longer in effect. This means that the guests can enjoy the facility without any time limitations.

Outside food, drink, and alcohol is not allowed.

Address: Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa, 5609 Spring Rd, Hot Sulphur Springs, CO 80451

Iron Mountain Hot Springs by Colorado River

A fantastic place to relax and soak in Colorado is Iron Mountain Hot Springs. You could find them in the picturesque town of Glenwood Springs, 158 miles west of Denver. Their pools are right next to the Colorado River and offer lovely views of the mountains

Sixteen geothermal pools offer guests a pure soaking experience. Additionally, there is a freshwater family pool, which is more relaxed and ideal for all ages.

Iron Mountain Hot Springs pools range from a warm 98°F to a toasty 108°F (37 – 42°C).

The pools are open year-round and, of course, a visit in the winter months is unforgettable.

Iron Mountain Hot Springs Details

Admission: Pricing will be $28.00 per 2.5-hour visit from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for adults and children 3 and over. Pricing will be $30.00 per 2.5-hour visit from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for adults and children 3 and over.

Reservations for a 2.5-hour visit are required. You can book your reservations
Re-entry is not permitted.
Lockers in Bathhouse are available for $2.
48-hour policy for ticket cancelations or time exchanges.
Outside food, drink, and alcohol is not allowed.
Visitors are welcome to bring non-glass water bottles and fill them at our water refilling stations.

Address: Iron Mountain Hot Springs, 281 Centennial St, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

The Largest Pool in the World - Glenwood Hot Springs Resort

The town of Glenwood Hot Springs has to offer one more lovely place for relaxation and soaking – Glenwood Hot Springs Resort. We have been there two times, and the whole experience was unforgettable.

As one of the oldest and most iconic tourist attractions in Colorado, this place has been welcoming visitors for over 130 years. The mineral-rich water of the world’s largest hot springs pool soothes the body and the soul.

This unique and historic destination includes a modern, comfortable Lodge, a poolside Grill offering satisfying favorites, a premier Athletic Club fitness facility, a boutique Shop for retail therapy, and all the necessities for unforgettable hot springs pool vacation. It is within walking distance to historic downtown Glenwood Springs.

Glenwood Hot Springs Pool Details

Hours of Operation

Pool – Open daily 9 am – 9 pm
Sopris Splash Zone – Open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Saturdays & Sundays) – weather & staffing permitting.

Individual Pool Day Rates

Depending on the day of the week and the month you are visiting, the prices vary between $26 and $42 for an adult and $25-$26 for a kid’s entrance.

Monday – Friday, high season – $39.00 Adult (13+), $25.00 Kid (3-12 years old)
Weekends, high season – $42.00 Adult, $26.00 Kid.
Purchase tickets at the entrance on the day of arrival.
No reservation is required.

However, you can reserve a cabana online for a half or a full day at the pool. For the upcoming summer season (from 5/27/22 to 9/5/22), the prices will be $145.00 Half Day and $195.00 for a Full Day.

Keep in mind that you can re-enter the pool the same day. Just stamp your bracelet before leaving the resort.

Address: Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, 401 N River St, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

The closest place to soak near Denver - Indian Hot Springs

Indian Hot Springs is only a 40-minute drive on I-70 West from Denver. It is the perfect getaway place for a day.

Located in the small town of Idaho Hot Springs, the complex offers a large mineral swimming pool, geothermal caves, outdoor jacuzzis, indoor private baths, and a mudroom. You should check it out!

Photo by indianhotsprings.com

Indian Hot Springs Details

The swimming pool is continually fed with hot mineral water at 115°. With an average temperature of 90° to 100°, this pool is a favorite for adults and children of all ages.

Open daily from 9.00 until 10.00 pm all year round.

No reservations are required.

$19.00 per person – Monday – Thursday
$21.00 per person – Friday – Sunday & Holidays

They ask you to limit your time to 2 hours on weekends.
No food, no glass, and no coolers are permitted.

Address: Indian Hot Springs, Soda Creek Road, Idaho Springs, CO

Photo by indianhotsprings.com

Geo-Thermal Caves

The caves were driven into the solid rock mountainside, between 1903 and 1911, mainly to create this unique facility. Each one has several huge sunken, walk-in hot tubs, filled with naturally hot mineral water at temperatures from 108° to 112°.

Caves are gender-specific (for example male and female), and bathing suits are optional.

Open from 7.30 am to 10.30 pm year-round.

No reservations are required.

*You must be 18 years of age or older to use the caves

$23.00 per person – Monday – Thursday
$25.00 per person – Friday – Sunday & Holidays

There are also outdoor jacuzzis, a mudroom, and indoor private baths available to book. Check their website for more information.

FREE Springs close to Carbondale - Penny Hot Springs

Last summer, we found these beautiful Penny Hot Springs on Crystal River. You can check them on CO-133 S road, 12.8 miles south of Carbondale, left-hand side of the road. And they are FREE.

Indeed, some nice people developed the place, put stones, and made small pools for soaking. We tried them and it was awesome! Just on the edge, is Crystal River with its cold waters, for some refresh.

Address and directions from Carbondale: Penny Hot Springs, Colorado 81623

Good for your body, good for your soul

In conclusion, these eight hot springs in Colorado are famous for a reason. They have healing waters that help your body relax and your mind clear. You will feel much better after a trip to the pools.

Don’t miss soaking at any of these hot springs when visiting Colorado.

On the other hand, if you already live in the Centennial State and haven’t been to the these springs yet, well, it’s about time!

Happy Soaking,
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