Arizona’s state motto is: “Ditat Deus” (God Enriches), and we couldn’t agree more, with its stunning painted desert, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and plethora of hot springs offerings. Some of those steaming mineral pools can be found tucked away in the desert, and take effort (and a good 4×4) to reach; others are conveniently located alongside main highways and serve as a refreshing break on your road trip through the state.
Join us on a journey to our 9.5 favorite Arizona hot springs for some well deserved soaking – we have something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a side of peace, relaxation, or adventure! And when you’re done reading about Arizona, head over to our other articles to discover the best hot springs in Nevada, popular hot springs in Colorado and top hot springs to visit in New Mexico!
1. El Dorado Hot Springs
The privately owned El Dorado Springs has a distinctly authentic (some might call it “hippy”) atmosphere; a rustic coolness that sets it above the rest. Giant palm trees, bamboo caves and vintage furniture is the signature line of this place, and in the communal pools, nudity is mandatory, while peacocks, chickens, ducks (and sometimes even pigs!) wander freely through the grounds. A unique destination not for everyone, you’ll either come away loving it, like we did, or running for the hills.
What To Expect
The dirt-road drive into El Dorado Hot Springs is worth the trip alone for the stunning Arizona views you’ll get. Natural, stone-based pools facilitate a deeper connection with nature, offering odorless, sulfur-free, soft mineral water of 85 to 110°F.
The outdoor complex boasts both private and public areas, separated by bamboo groves and wooden fencing for privacy. “Desert Pete” is the communal soaking area, and features two large, 6-person pools with stunning desert views to enjoy while you bathe. There’s also a lounge area with tables, chairs and fireplaces, and several small tubs that you can use to cool off in.
“Sunset View” is an aptly named private pool in a large fenced-in space that seats six and boasts crystal energy-, spirit-, and health-boosting stones in the design.
The stone-walled “Corral” and “Desert View” hot tubs are also great for sunset soaks, and come with a claw-foot bath tub on the side for added quirk. Corral offers three steps up (rather than low walls to climb over), making it the most “accessible” of the tubs on-site.
Adding to the adorable eccentricity of the complex is Duck Pond Pool, a private pool area located right next to a duck pond, so you can enjoy the sight of these happy, noisy birds paddling while you soak away your stress.
Good To Know
The private pools get booked up weeks in advance, so we advise you to reserve ahead if you want to use one (+1 623-386-5412).
Desert Pete, where everyone is expected to bathe nude, is open to the public and does not allow any alcohol, cell phones, or photography.
If you want to overnight it, you can stay at Motel California, or camp. Additionally, two rooms are available for rent at Desert Pete’s Bunkhouse. Soaking is included in the price. Check here for more details and pricing.
Clothing-optional in some areas, required nudism in others.
2. Verde Hot Springs
Verde Hot Springs, situated riverside in the Prescott National Forest, was a popular 1920s nudist resort, of which only colorfully painted ruins remain after a fire consumed the site in 1962.
The cliffs, paving, remaining structures, and even the concrete stairs leading down to the pools have all been used as canvases for colorful and spiritual art, as well as a series of quotations that alternate between inspirational and amusingly naughty.
The first hot mineral pool you’ll get to, at the bottom of the steps, is totally open-air, bordered by the cliff on one side and a concrete deck separating it from the Verde River on the other. It is over 6 feet deep, and can fit up to 10 soakers. The odorless water varies in temperature between 98 and 100°F.
The nearby second and third 102°F pools are also open-air, but are enclosed within beautifully decorated stone walls. They can each accommodate 3 – 4 people and are just deep enough to sit in.
Don’t Miss…
- Camp Verde Historical Society Museum
- Fort Verde State Historic Park
- Verde Valley Archaeological Center
- A chance to make some safari buddies at the Out of Africa Wildlife Park
Good To Know
It’s easy to get to, but a high-clearance vehicle is recommended for the unpaved 18-mile drive.
Popular. Get there early to avoid the crowds.
No amenities – take all the food and water you’ll need for your time there, and pack it all out when you leave.
Camp in the Childs Dispersed Camping Area or stay in the towns of Camp Verde or Sedona.
Dogs are allowed but should be kept on a leash near the pools.
Clothing optional.
3. Castle Hot Springs
This adults-only, all-inclusive wellness resort offers lush greenery in palm, lemon, and orange trees, scattered around a landscaped area so massive, you’ll need to use a golf cart to explore it all. The historic resort also houses a greenhouse, gardens, and a helicopter landing pad, and has such visitors to its name as the Vanderbilts, Roosevelts and Wrigleys. Behind the lodge is a small lake, serving as home to a smattering of ducks, and next to it a large swimming pool – both enclosed by palm trees. The site feels safe, superbly maintained, and totally geared toward your relaxation and enjoyment.
What To Expect
There are three large hot mineral pools to enjoy at the Castle Hot Springs resort, all abundant in lithium, magnesium, and bicarbonates – click here to see which minerals do what. In addition, guests can soak in the hot springs water in the privacy of their own rooms, or opt for the secluded outdoors of the Spring Bungalows.
At the heart of the resort are the “Upper Springs” – two secluded pools divided by a bridge, the upper one offering a 105°F soak against the background of a visually stunning mineral-stained cliff face, from the top of which pours the hot spring water straight from its 115°F source. This then cascades into a second, half rock, half man-made pool, cooling as it goes to a more comfortable 90°F, and flowing onward downhill into the “Lower Spring,” the coolest at 86°F. This last pool is a man-made rock-walled pool surrounded, like the others, by palm trees and a beautiful Arizona-style landscape. Nearby, you’ll find all necessary amenities, among them outdoor showers, restrooms, changing rooms, lockers, and beach chairs.
The resort can accommodate a limited number of guests, with excellence in service being their top priority.
Don’t Miss…
- The 24-hour on-site golf cart service.
- Via Ferrata Adventure courses,
- Wellness activities (yoga, meditation, Tai Chi).
- Sporting activities (hiking, e-biking, archery, horseback riding, bocce etc.).
- A trip to Lake Pleasant.
- Dinner at Harvest, cocktails at Bar 1896 and foraging for fresh ingredients at “The Farm.”
Good To Know
This is an adults-only resort.
No pets.
No day-use. The hot springs are available only for overnight guests.
Prices include breakfast, lunch, dinner, resort service charges, gratuities, access to the springs, and any activities on the roster.
Rates do not include alcoholic drinks, personalized wellness spa services or adventure excursions.
If any of the activities in the “Don’t Miss…” section have caught your fancy, be sure to schedule them at least 2-3 weeks in advance.
While the WiFi is great, Castle Hot Springs encourages its guests to aim for a “digital detox” while there.
Clothing required in public areas.
Where: 5050 East Castle Hot Springs Rd, Morristown, Arizona
Website: castlehotsprings.com
4. Arizona (Ringbolt) Hot Springs
Arizona Hot Springs (also called Ringbolt) is one of the most popular pools in Las Vegas, even though it is closed half the year and takes some work to get to – the trail involves some climbing and scrambling if you really want that wonderful, mineral-rich soak!
What To Expect
Choose from two trails to get to Arizona Hot Springs- the 5.9-mile White Rock Canyon Trail (click here for a video on that) with around a 1500-foot elevation change, which branches off to the 4-mile round trip Liberty Bell Arch Trail, or take the shorter and slightly easier 3-mile Arizona Hot Springs Trail. Alternatively, hike in on one trail and out the other! Be sure to wear shoes with traction to navigate the sandy-gravelly washes, rocks and narrow gorges you’ll be traveling through.
The murky, turquoise hot springs at the end of your trek are separated by sandbags into three pools, and are cushioned between 100-foot-high golden and red canyon walls. Once up there, enjoy a seated soak in the 111-120°F water (hotter the closer you get to the source).
Don’t Miss…
- Taking photos at the many viewpoints on the trail.
Good To Know
The trail is closed May-September due to the heat.
Warning! If you take the White Rock Canyon Trail, there is a 20-foot ladder you need to climb to get into the springs.
This pool is said to contain a deadly amoeba which can cause meningitis if it gets into your nose. Keep your soak “shin to chin” – do not put your head in the water. See more about the risks in this article.
Take around 3 liters of water along with you.
Watch out for slippery algae on the wet rocks. Take along some water sandals.
The trail is fun for families, but small children and pets will have difficulties rock-scaling and with the White Rock Canyon Trail ladder.
Watch out for rattlesnakes.
Don’t go in or after rain as this is a flash-flood zone.
No cell-phone service.
No camping allowed.
Clothing optional. Read more about Hot Springs Etiquette here.
Where: Arizona state highway 93 (3.5 miles south of the Pat Tillman Bridge)
5. Essence Of Tranquility
Tranquility by name as well as by nature – enjoy a relaxing afternoon in one of Essence of Tranquility’s quirky outdoor (but enclosed) soaking tubs, or extend your stay and try them all during your overnight experience. The resort’s eccentricities and the hot mineral water itself are the crowd-pullers here.
What To Expect
Essence of Tranquility offers six cutely themed concrete and stone soaking tubs, the decor and seating areas around them setting the tone – choose from Waterfall, Cave, Asian, Greek, Music, or Blue Lagoon (click here for photos and details), which range in temperature between 98-105°F. The water flows continuously through the tubs via individual pipes from the source, meaning they are kept naturally clean and constantly packed full of mineral goodness.
If you choose to stay, Essence of Tranquility has a lovely grassy campground for tents only (no RVs), a large bunkhouse, and a number of interesting casitas with beds, refrigerators, microwaves, coffee-makers, heating and air conditioning. There is a communal kitchen, BBQ and seating area, and restrooms with showers. Overnight lodging includes complimentary soak time.
Don’t Miss…
- A massage, essential oil therapy or reflexology treatment (See here for details. Call ahead to book at least 24 hours before arrival: 928-428-9312).
- A visit to the Black Hills Rockhound Area.
- Exploring Roper Lake State Park.
- A tour of the Mount Graham International Observatory, boasting one of the biggest binocular telescopes in the world.
Good To Know
Soaking rates: $15/person for 1 hour, $35/person for 3 hours – maximum 4 people per group. Soaking included for overnighters.
Accommodation rates: Campsite: $20/person, Casitas for 1-4 guests – $50-$70, Bunkhouse $200 for up to 12 people (or $25/person hostel rate).
Bring your own towels, drinks and food.
No alcohol, drugs, smoking or glass containers.
No children under 12.
Pet friendly. Dogs must be kept on a leash and are not allowed in the kitchen or soaking areas.
There is a cute in-office gift shop selling rocks and gemstones, artworks, jewelry, body lotions, essential oils, incense and more. Open: Tuesday – Saturday 8am – 6pm.
Clothing required in communal areas, optional in private tub rooms.
Open: Tuesday – Saturday 8am- 9pm, closed Sundays and Mondays.
Where: 6074 S. Lebanon Loop Rd., Safford, Arizona
Website: azhotmineralspring.com
6. Hot Well Dunes Hot Springs
Hot Well Dunes is an ATV enthusiasts dream destination, as well as a great spot for eager hot-springers, with 2000 acres of sand dunes to navigate and two excellently maintained day-use hot-springs tubs for soaking.
What To Expect
While no smooth ride to get to, the two cement, mineral water tubs are clean, gated and can accommodate up to 8 soakers. The naturally heated soft and odorless mineral water is 106°F at the source, brought into the tubs thanks to solar panel pumps (hence no soaking after sunset). Surrounding the tubs is a concrete area with benches, but no shade.
Don’t expect a peaceful soak here, very much due to those ATV enthusiasts we mentioned – there’ll likely be dozens of people buzzing over and around the dunes nearby. Just take it as background noise and sink into the warmth of your soak…
There are a number of designated campsites on the way to the hot springs, with fire rings, picnic tables and vault toilets.
Don’t Miss…
- Riding the ride 2000 acres of sand dunes. Hey, if you can’t beat them, you might as well join them!
Good To Know
No soaking sunset to sunrise.
No shade – and it can get hot! No sunscreen allowed in the pools, but be sure not to sunburn when you’re done in the water!
$3 per vehicle per day.
Check the weather before you go. The road to Hot Well Dunes is prone to flooding in rain.
There are developed tent/RV sites nearby. Toilets available on site.
Pet friendly, but keep your dog on a leash.
Where: Drive 7 miles east of Safford on US Hwy 70, then take Haeckel Road south for 25 miles (be prepared for a dirt road with numerous potholes). See the map here.
7. Kachina Mineral Springs Spa
The low-key, adults-only Kachina Mineral Springs is a secret gem and a very affordable luxury. Described by one accurate reviewer as “1960s desert kitsch,” the value of this wellness center is in the spa treatment as much as the hot spring soak.
What To Expect
Kachina Mineral Springs has several indoor tubs on-site, and they welcome both reservations and walk-ins. Some refer to the decor as rustic, though we would say it is simply “simple,” certainly compared to the more eccentric small-town hot springs that you’ll find on our Traxplorio pages.
Our recommendation is to book the “Full Spa Package,” which starts with a 10-minute soak in your own private mineral bath, followed by a relaxing 50-minute body massage and a bonus ten-minute soak at the end. You are guaranteed to leave the spa feeling incredibly recharged and chill.
On offer is a small tub in a private room, larger tubs that will comfortably fit 2-4 soakers, and a family tub ideal for up to 8 people – all filled with natural hot mineral water of temperatures ranging from 101-104°F.
Don’t Miss…
- A hot stone massage or Thai Stretching. Click here for details on their spa packages.
- Rock-hunting in the Black Hills Rockhound Area.
- Roper Lake State Park.
- A photo-stop in the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area.
- A tour of the Mount Graham International Observatory, boasting one of the biggest binocular telescopes in the world.
Good To Know
Drinking water and a clean towel will be provided to each visitor.
Book in advance here. Walk-ins are welcome but space is not guaranteed.
Soaking rates: $15/person for a one-hour reservation. Group rates available. See here. Spa packages start at $90. See here for details.
Open: Tuesday – Saturday 10am- 4pm, closed Sundays and Mondays.
Where: 1155 W Cactus Rd, Safford, Arizona
Website: kachinamineralspringsspa
8. Kaiser Hot Springs
The primitive and free-to-enter Kaiser Hot Springs pool is an Arizona desert gem nestled in the golden, sandy depths of the Kaiser Spring Canyon. Take a friend or two and escape the hustle and bustle for the day at this isolated, positive-vibes mineral soak.
What To Expect
The gravel-bottomed Kaiser Hot Springs, its 100°F mineral waters held in by a cliff face at your back and a man-made rock and dirt wall in front, offers a primitive soak with up to three friends in a sandy wash beside the creek, in the reddish-gold depths of the Arizona desert. And all it takes is a 1.5-mile hike down from the trailhead. Well worth it!
Don’t Miss…
- A visit to Burro Creek Mine.
- Exploring the Kaiser Spring Canyon and Burro Creek.
Good To Know
It’s rather exposed, so make sure you bring plenty of water with you to prevent dehydration.
Bring sturdy shoes for the walk in and water sandals for the hot springs pool.
Best visited in fall and spring.
Pet friendly, but dogs should be kept on a leash and out of the hot springs.
No on-site amenities – pack out what you pack in!
Clothing optional.Where: Wikieup, Arizona. From Phoenix, take US Hwy 93 N, and continue 5 miles past the Burro Creek Bridge. Follow the sign for Kaiser Spring Wash. Park on the west side of Hwy 93, north of Burro Creek Campground. See the map here.
9. Sheep Bridge Hot Spring
Hidden within the reeds on the west bank of the Verde River is a small, primitive hot springs pool that makes a perfect soaking-stop for those looking for an afternoon of riverside fun.
What To Expect
Just under the new Sheep Bridge in Yavapai County, Arizona is a hidden but very popular hot mineral, man-made, rock-walled tub surrounded by tall reeds and with the sound of the river flowing by.
While small (only two people can comfortably soak in the rock-bottomed 100°F mineral water at once), it is a worthy destination point for adventure seekers looking for a soak with a difference – nearby is a rope swing you can cliff-jump into the river with. Not for the faint-hearted!
Don’t Miss…
- A swim in the Verde River (careful- it can flow fast).
- The rope swing.
- A walk on the Sheep Bridge.
- Bloody Basin Trail, Barnhardt Trail, and Chalk Mountain.
Good To Know
Dispersed camping available in the area.
Go early or on weekdays to avoid the crowds.
Where: Tonto National Forest. From Carefree, AZ, drive down Cave Creek Road for 33 miles. Turn right onto Forest Road 269 and drive for 12 miles. See the map here.
Website: usda.gov/recarea/tonto
9.5. Pumpkin Spring
Pumpkin Spring, inside the Grand Canyon, is both the coolest and most dangerous hot spring destination on this list of hot springs in Arizona. 100% unsoakable, the minerals overflowing this rounded limestone bowl have stained the rock wall bright orange – hence the very apt name of “Pumpkin.” Only great for a photo stop, it is definitely not one you should be getting into, no matter how peaceful the potential soak looks – the murky green water is known to contain extremely high levels of arsenic, lead, zinc, and copper, making it the most toxic water in the Grand Canyon.
Disclaimer
While we at Traxplorio do our very best to give you the latest information about these hot springs sites, life happens, weather happens, and property owners happen. We always recommend you go to the official hot springs’ web page and/or the relevant state authority page to check conditions, times, and prices (where relevant) before you head out. Thanks for understanding, and enjoy your soak!
