Avalanche Ranch
Redstone Historic District
Find private, secluded hot springs at Avalanche Ranch, a scenic retreat set just fifteen minutes south of Carbondale. Take in views of Mount Sopris, Elephant Mountain and the Avalanche Creek Valley from one of its three mineral-rich pools. Day pass reservations are priced at $32 per person and grant four hours of soaking between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 to 5 p.m. Overnight guests can enjoy the pools at all hours (Wednesday cleaning times excluded), and the cost of entry is included with lodging. Opt for one of the cozy studios, charming wagons or spacious cabins that sleep up to eight. Massage services, yoga classes and winter activities like ice skating, snowshoeing and sledding are also available on site.
Once a lesser-known refuge, Desert Reef Hot Springs has gained greater attention since its recent expansion and renovation. Last year, it debuted four main soaking pools and five additional private pools, plus five vintage Airstreams and five tiny homes for overnight guests. Chris McLaughlin, who acquired the 77-acre property in 2021, aims to keep its capacity low, but upgrades and small events like film screenings and a recent culinary experience with the chef of Michelin-starred restaurant Brutø have attracted a new, curious audience. Desert Reef is clothing-optional and 18+ during standard hours; private pool rentals and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. are open to all ages. Reservations are required, and soaking for 2.5 hours runs $25 per person on weekdays and $35 on weekends.
Dunton Hot Springs
Dolores
Located near Telluride, Dunton Hot Springs is a premier mountain escape. The small and exclusive resort is set deep in the San Juans, and each of its five mineral-rich pools offers idyllic scenery, along with steamy temperatures ranging from 85 to 106°F. Soaking is limited to overnight guests — restored log cabins are just steps from the bathhouse. Gourmet dining, spa treatments and outdoor activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing add to a memorable stay. Bookings require a two-night minimum and include accommodations and hot springs access, as well as meals and alcoholic beverages. Rates start at $1,165 per night for a two-person cabin.
Durango Hot Springs Resort and Spa
Durango
This health-and-wellness retreat reopened in 2020 after extensive renovations to the historic property, formerly known as Trimble Hot Springs. The facility now comprises a full-service spa, 32 hot springs mineral pools, five private cedar tubs, two cold plunge pools and a 25-meter lap pool. Several thermal water features are ADA-accessible and family-friendly; the resort also has a dedicated adults-only area and requests that guests maintain its tranquil environment. Soaking reservations are required and run $39 per adult and $15 per child for 2.5 hours of access.
Iron Mountain Hot Springs
Glenwood Springs
This year, Iron Mountain Hot Springs premiered WorldSprings, its long-awaited expansion featuring ten experience pools inspired by famous hot springs across the globe. Each soaking pool is formulated with location-specific minerals. For example, the Blue Lagoon pool is rich in silica, potassium and boron — minerals found in Iceland’s natural spring. Other highlighted destinations include Hokkaido, Japan; Soda Springs, New Zealand; and The Dead Sea, Israel. All WorldSprings amenities are 21+ and allow in-pool adult beverages from the new Sandbar Cafe. Reservations for a three-hour soak start at $46 and include access to the resort’s 32 total pools.
Buena Vista
Anyone can appreciate Mount Princeton Hot Springs, a seventy-acre resort at the base of several 14,000-foot peaks. Its spa treatments, private hot springs, recently expanded Creekside Suites and elevated on-site dining promise a romantic getaway for couples. Meanwhile, families will appreciate the private cabins’ generous amenities and the all-ages atmosphere. Overnight accommodations include two days of complimentary soaking; day passes start at $40 per adult and $35 per child. Unlike many similar resorts, walk-in guests are welcome and may access the historic bathhouse, creekside hot springs and swimming pools.
Idaho Springs
Despite its proximity to Denver, few soakers are familiar with Raspberry Hot Springs, a secluded sanctuary tucked away in the Arapaho National Forest. This hidden gem has a singular pool with stunning mountain views — and you don’t have to share it with anyone else when visiting. Private one-hour soaks start at $125 for one to two guests; the maximum of eight guests is priced at $380 per hour. The property spans thirty acres, and all-wheel drive is required to access the site, though shuttle service is available for an extra $30. Book reservations prior to visiting.
Pagosa Springs
Voted the country’s top spa resort in 2023 by USA Today readers, the Springs Resort & Spa boasts the deepest geothermal hot spring in the world. The Mother Spring is more than 1,000 feet deep and feeds all of the resort’s 25 pools, which range from 45 to 114°F. General-admission day passes cost $65 per adult and $35 per child for one-time entry. Access to the five adults-only pools on the relaxation terrace is priced at $130 per person and includes re-entry, plus a towel and robe. Further maximize your getaway with spa treatments, wellness activities and on-site lodging: Rooms and suites grant 24-hour soaking access.
Strawberry Park Hot Springs
Steamboat Springs
After exploring the newly expanded slopes at Steamboat Resort, enjoy an après-ski soak at Strawberry Park Hot Springs. Surrounded by snow-covered pines, this scenic retreat is a local favorite; four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive with snow tires or chains is needed to reach the site during winter months. You can also take a shuttle from town to reach its steamy pools, which become clothing-optional after dark. Reservation time slots can be booked online and two-hour soaks cost $20 cash. For unlimited access between 5 p.m. and 11 a.m. the following day, stay in one of several rustic cabins on site.
Valley View Hot Springs
Moffat
Seek refuge at Valley View Hot Springs, located at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Range and just north of Great Sand Dunes National Park. The entire property is clothing-optional and encompasses several pools and natural soaking ponds ranging between the mid-80s and 107°F. Some require a short, steep hike and offer panoramic views, while others are shaded and just steps from the on-site cabins and hydroelectric sauna. All facilities within this eco-sanctuary run on renewable energy. Day passes cost $15 per person and provide hot springs access between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.; overnight guests can soak at all hours between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. the following day for $30 per person.
