After a year like 2020, we all deserve a little LOT of self-care. And when the stress of daily life can pile up, some time to treat yourself may be just what the doctor ordered! While you can opt for a relaxing spa day or a mental health day close to home, you can also make a getaway out of it. With road trips all the rage, why not combine the two? Explore your own backyard and unwind with a retreat to one of the best Colorado hot springs.
With 30+ options, Colorado’s hot springs are some of the best in the world. Natural thermal water surrounded by stunning snowcapped mountains soak in the minerals and views and let your cares wash away. You can choose between the world’s largest hot spring pool, the deepest hot spring pool in the world, or hideout in a secret underground network of vapor caves. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find a Colorado hot spring that suits your style.
So what are you waiting for? Are you ready to plan a trip to one of Colorado’s famed hot springs?
Soak it all in at Glenwood Springs Hot Springs—where steamy mineral waters meet mountain views for the ultimate Colorado unwind.
Glenwood Springs Hot Springs
The little mountain town of Glenwood Springs actually has three hot springs. The Glenwood Hot Springs Resort pool corrals the natural warm-water spring into a couple of manmade pools, collectively making it the largest hot spring pool in the world! This huge pool has helped establish Glenwood Hot Springs Resort as one of the best Colorado hot springs resorts.
Iron Mountain Hot Springs takes a similar approach by gathering the natural hot spring water into constructed pools. Instead of just two pools, though, Iron Mountain Hot Springs boasts a whopping sixteen pools, all at different temperatures. Some are family-friendly and suitable for children, but some are adults-only if you need some couples time (wink, wink).
But of the three, the Yampah Spa Vapor Caves is the town’s best-kept secret (read: least touristy). You actually need to make your way down a set of stairs and into a network of underground caves. You can then lay down on the marble benches and let your muscles relax in the natural mineral baths or soak in the steam, wandering between the various cave rooms. Once a Native American retreat for natural healing, people have been flocking here for therapeutic rejuvenation since the late 1800s. For even more modern R&R, they also offer a variety of spa treatments from facials and massages to herbal wraps.
Nestled in the ski town of Steamboat Springs, Strawberry Park Hot Springs is definitely one of the best Colorado hot springs and should be on everyone’s bucket list. While many hot springs in the state are manmade, this mineral-rich hot spring boasts five natural stone pools, ranging from a warm 107 degrees Fahrenheit to a chilly pool perfect for a polar plunge. They also offer Instagram-worthy accommodations with the choice to stay overnight in a teepee, train caboose, or cabin, which grant you private access to the pools.
It is important to note that Strawberry Park Hot Springs becomes clothing optional at night. Super dark, it’s a magical experience under the stars feeling like you can reach up and touch them. But if that’s not your thing, you’ll want to stick to visiting during daylight hours.
If you’re looking for one of the best hot springs in the Buena Vista area, Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort tops the list, especially for families and those looking to get active. You can race down the 400-foot slide, take a kayaking class, test your athletic abilities at the sports courts, and sip on a local ale at the beer garden. For overnight guests, there are complimentary water fitness classes and fat bikes available to rent.
But don’t worry! If decompression is your focus, you can do that too. Enjoy the quiet relaxation pool, get pampered with a unique spa treatment, and feel rejuvenated with a fruity treat from the juice bar. The historic bathhouse and infinity pool run alongside a bubbling creek for an unforgettable experience in nature.
Located in Pagosa Springs, The Springs Resort & Spa claims the title of the world’s deepest geothermal hot spring. The “Mother Spring” was measured to be over 1,000 feet deep, but since no plumb line has ever actually reached the bottom, it could be even deeper!
And while the Mother Spring is the highlight of The Springs Resort & Spa, there are 23 other hot spring pools and a 79-room hotel filled with amenities for you to enjoy. A popular celebrity getaway, the resort has hosted famous faces like Oprah with their healing minerals.
“Ouray” literally means “hot water springs” in the Native American language, and for centuries, the Ouray Hot Springs in southern Colorado was a private reprieve for the local Ute Indians and visiting tribes to soak in what they called “sacred miracle waters.” It wasn’t until 1927 when new owners opened the pools to the local miners to wash their cares away, and the larger public caught on.
Now home to five pools, there’s something for everyone. You can race down one of the three slides, swim laps, try the obstacle course, or stay in the adults-only section. It’s the perfect place to spend the day!
SunWater Spa in Manitou Springs is one of the best Colorado hot springs for it’s cedar tubs and epic backdrop.
SunWater Spa
If you’re looking for one of the most amazing Colorado Springs hot springs, SunWater Spa in the neighboring town of Manitou Springs is a must. Built over a series of cavernous aquifers, the entire city of Manitou is known for its healing waters with eight fountains all over downtown, each with its own distinct taste teeming with therapeutic minerals.
SunWater Spa is a little different than the rest of Colorado’s hot springs. Neither manmade nor natural pools, SunWater Spa has seven outdoor cedar tubs, ranging from 90℉ to 103℉, and three saline pools inside, consisting of a cold plunge of 80℉, pool of 96℉ and a hot tub of 104℉.
The cedar hot tubs at SunWater Spa are filled with water from the nearby Seven Minute Spring. Between the warm bath water, therapeutic cedar scent, and stunning mountain views, SunWater Spa is a full-on sensory experience and the ultimate mountain escape.
Colorado Hot Springs are a Cool Getaway
Let’s be real—life can be a lot. But nothing says “I’m taking a mental health day” like sinking into a Colorado hot spring and letting all that stress just melt away. Whether you’re soaking in a rustic gem or living it up at a swanky resort, these natural wonders are the perfect excuse to unwind, recharge, and give yourself the wellness weekend you deserve. So, grab your crew, your best book, and a cold drink, because Colorado’s hot springs are where relaxation meets vibes. It’s the self-care you didn’t know you needed.
About the Author: Sarah Etinas is a travel writer based on the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii. When she’s not enjoying the stunning beaches and hikes of her home island, she’s going on exciting adventures all around the world. You can keep up with her travel experiences on her website, Borders & Bucket Lists.
https://thedownlo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/manitou-springs.jpg846750Lohttps://thedownlo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/downlo_logo-no-tagline.pngLo2021-02-06 23:19:532025-05-05 16:05:46Spaaah Day: The Best Colorado Hot Springs to Rest and Recharge
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