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15 December, 2022
Silver, skiing and S’mores: our Telluride travel guide
Nine of Colorado’s most beautiful hot spring soaking spots
Published
1 February, 2023
Edited
15 March, 2023
Heated by molten rocks lying many hundreds of kilometers beneath the Earth’s surface, Colorado is home to over 90 thermal springs. For centuries, they’ve been tempting visitors to take a dip in their warm, restorative waters, with many of the top Colorado hot springs being transformed into spa resorts for those who enjoy a little extra pampering.
Soak your cares away with an all-natural spa treatment
Travel just a few miles outside of the state’s bustling ski towns and you’ll discover an abundance of natural, undisturbed pools. While you might not get a full spa treatment, there’s something to be said about finding your own hot springs pool in the great outdoors, soaking away with the snow-capped mountains and dense forests of the Rockies as your backdrop. To help you plan your next alpine adventure, here are nine of the best hot springs in Colorado.
Radium Hot Spring
It’s a bit of a scramble down to the Radium Hot Spring, a natural pool that can be found around 16 miles outside the town of Kremmling.
With an average temperature of 26° C, the spring isn’t the warmest of options, but the wild, rural setting more than makes up for it.
South Canyon Hot Springs
Just outside of Glenwood Springs and less than an hour’s drive from Aspen, the often-deserted South Canyon Hot Springs offer a wilder alternative to the pools within the nearby resort. With a toasty temperature usually settling between 37 and 44° C, the main pool is lovely for a long soak while you gaze at the magnificent view across the surrounding mountain ranges.
Iron Mountain Hot Springs
Sitting beside the Colorado River in Glenwood Springs, Iron Mountain Hot Springs is one of the best Colorado hot springs for families.
Open year-round and less than an hour from Aspen and Vail, this picturesque spa destination offers 16 geothermal soaking pools and an on-site cafe serving up flatbread pizzas and charcuterie dishes beside the pool.
Conundrum Hot Springs
Sitting at over 11,200 feet in the idyllic Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, Conundrum Hot Springs offers some of the most awe-inspiring scenes in the whole of the Rockies. Hidden within a lush conifer forest, this gorgeous natural pool can only be accessed by a moderate 8.5-mile trail from Conundrum Creek - less than ten miles from the town of Aspen.
Old Town Hot Springs
Set right in the heart of Steamboat Springs, the pools of Old Town Hot Springs have been enjoyed by guests for over 100 years.
Unchlorinated and rich in natural minerals that have been found to have therapeutic properties, you’ll soon find yourself drifting into a state of sheer tranquillity in one of the resort’s soothing spas or pools.
Piedra River Hot Springs
Seven miles west of Pagosa Springs, it’s an easygoing mile-and-a-half hike to the Piedra River Hot Springs. Consisting of several shallow springs fed by the Piedra River, the best time to visit is during the late summer months when the river’s flow eases and the pools reach their warmest temperatures.
Rainbow Hot Springs
If seclusion is your goal, Rainbow Hot Springs is one of the best places to avoid the crowds. Accessible only by a long, yet scenic hike through the Weminuche Wilderness Area, you’ll eventually come across the two pools nestled beside the San Juan River.
The water in the lower, larger pool reaches around 35° C, while the upper pool is slightly warmer at 40.5° C - just what you need to ease your tired muscles after a strenuous forest hike.
Yampah Spa
Just outside the centre of Glenwood Springs, the mineral-rich pools of Yampah Spa are set within a series of underground caverns. Ambiently lit and reaching temperatures of up to 44.4° C, the spa’s Vapor Caves offer a unique sauna-like experience with the option of a private mineral bath for those who book in advance. Afterwards, you can enjoy a heated stone massage or invigorating Reiki treatment in the on-site salon.
Penny Hot Springs
Surrounded by the dramatic peaks and canyons of the Rocky Mountain National Park, Penny Hot Springs is a tranquil spot to spend the day soaking your cares away.
This naturally-fed spring is just 45 minutes outside of Aspen, and can be easily found along Highway 133.
The onefinestay experience
The onefinestay experience
Finding the finest, most refined places to stay in Colorado is easy with onefinestay. Our selection of luxury chalets and cabins in Colorado put you within easy reach of every amenity, from the magical hot springs to the wonderful hiking trails of Telluride, the Colorado's Rocky Mountains and family-friendly ski resorts in Steamboat. If you're planning a Colorado vacation, summer or winter, our team of expert concierge are here to help.
