Sometimes our corporate responsibilities become too much. This is why once in while everyone needs to get away and untether themselves from all the mundane responsibilities that city life is always accompanied by. Some of the best hot springs resorts will surely do the trick. Especially when you don’t feel up to hiking and conquering the backcountry to visit some of the best thermal waters of the US.
If you just so happen to be living in or traveling to the state, this is your sign to check out some of the best hot springs resorts in Colorado.
It is home to some of the absolute best commercial springs equipped with all the vital features to make for an unforgettable stay.
Our picks for best hot springs resorts in the state of Colorado promise you the ultimate healing session in unmatched mountainous scenery that can only be found here.
Ouray Hot Springs
Ouray Hot Springs triumphs as one of the most cherished and family-friendly hot springs establishments in the state of Colorado. It boasts three thermally heated pools with an average temperature of 106°F, an olympic-size pool, and massive water slides for guests’ unforgettable enjoyment. Additional features and amenities such as lifeguard services, swimming lessons, spa services and a fitness center are also available.
The city of Ouray is always referred to as the Switzerland of America, which means that your visit to Ouray Hot Springs will consist of breathtaking alpine views and landscapes enveloping the area, making your soak at the heart of snow-capped mountains all the more memorable.
The day-use admission fee ranges from $16-$26.Unfortunately, there are no overnight accommodation options at Ouray HS but you can find plenty here.
Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa
Located in the small town of Buena Vista, Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa is a rustic multi-service retreat center, home to some of the clearest thermal waters in the state of Colorado.
Behind its humble and unassuming appearance is what people consider to be one of the best hot springs in the country that houses an abundance of minerals, giving its visitors a chance to reach their spiritual peak. The water temperature ranges between 80°F-106°F and fills several curve-shaped pools. There’s also a creek on the other side of the facility, which is perfect for hot and cold plunges to alternate between whenever the heat gets too much to handle.
With it being a spa, you’ll also have the chance to take advantage of their numerous diverse massages and then retire in any of their accommodation options.
Note that Cottonwood is a digital-free and extremely enviro-friendly establishment, so if you’d like to visit, prepare to fully face the world without your digital companions.
Admission fee ranges between $16-$24.
Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort
While we’re in the area, it’s only fair to make a stop at Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, which promises the ultimate relaxation-time for families, friend groups and couples who are looking for a romantic getaway as well as solo vacationers.
Mount Princeton Hot Springs is tucked between Buena Vista and Salida, enveloped by the highland scenery all around. The views of the snow-capped mountain peaks make the surroundings of this multi-complex facility 10 times more picturesque.
You will find soaking options aplenty, including Creekside Hot Springs, Private Hot Springs, Historic Bathhouse as well as an infinity pool, lap pool, exercise pool, etc. The pool temperature varies between a comfy 70°F and a boiling 120°F – perfect for all preferences.
Plenty of spa treatments are also available on top of the sauna, steamroom and fitness center.
Onsite accommodation options are also available, alongside a dining area and a juice bar.
No advanced reservations are required for day-use. Standard day-use admission fee – which includes access to Creekside Hot Springs, Historic Bathhouse, Upper Pools and Infinity Pool – is $40-$45 per adult.
More info can be found here.
Old Town Hot Springs
Old Town Hot Springs shares much of the same qualities as its companion Ouray Hot Springs. There you’ll find all the necessary rejuvenating amenities required, as well as a fitness center, spa facilities and a mini aqua-park that makes guests of all ages go absolutely wild.
Old Town’s mainstream appearance also consists of eight pools, one of which is an olympic-size lap pool, and a couple of them are massive, curvaceous thermal baths of varying temperatures that on average hover at 104°F. Some of them are lined with benches that are absolutely ideal for soaking.
Old Town Hot Springs is a very family/community-friendly resort, seeing as for the longest time it was the only hot springs facility in Routt County tending to the locals’ rejuvenating requirements. It’s very big on earning customer loyalty, which shows in the countless membership deals that guests purchase.
Naturally, due to so many families around, clothing is required.
Daily admission for people aged 15 and above is $29.
Strawberry Park Hot Springs
The second you look at Strawberry Park Resort, ‘fairytale’ is probably the first thing that comes to mind. If it doesn’t it’s your loss, because you can’t take a look at some of the cabins of this establishment and not think that Mr. Tumnus would have really loved it there, but we digress.
Strawberry Park Hot Springs covers an enormous territory full of countless amenities for the ultimate mind, body & soul healing session. It’s snuggled among endless canopies of coniferous trees. It’s all rock walls and cabins mixed with wooden planks, giving the entire establishment an extremely cozy look.
Even though it operates all-year-round, the winter scenery gives the whole place an extra layer of beauty when everything is covered with and surrounded by thick blankets of snow.
The establishment offers different types of massages to its guests, as well as overnight accommodation options that include the use of the springs. The outdoor soaking area consists of one giant rock-walled pool of 104°F that’s divided into several mineral baths.
2-hour admission fee is $20 per adult.
Unfortunately, you can pay with cash only. Strawberry Park Hot Springs has a strict set of rules and policies so be sure to familiarize yourself with them before planning a visit. You can find them on their official website.
Glenwood Hot Springs
Glenwood Hot Springs holds the title of the biggest hot spring in the WORLD, as well as one of the hottest in the state of Colorado. Just like many other picks on this list, Glenwood is also situated in the Colorado-characteristic highland setting, giving the place an extra picturesque layer.
The 122°F source water is cooled down to a comfortable 104°F and fills the Therapy Pool.
Then it is cooled down even more to 90°F- 93°F, which then fills the main pool.
There are numerous spa treatments available for guests including the most sought-out treatments of Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves.
Glenwood Hot Springs offers accommodation options. The selection includes suites, standard rooms and premier rooms.
Sopris Splash Zone is the newest and most popular attraction of Glenwood, which consists of water rides, waterfalls, play areas, a splash and show fountain. Sopris Splash Zone promises guests of all ages an unforgettable experience.
Daily admission fee is $35 per adult. More info can be found here.
The Springs Resort & Spa
The Springs Resort & Spa is a place for an unforgettable vacation and relaxing break. Its countless amenities make it very easy to tend to stress levels after the hustle and bustle of our corporate life.
It also consists of an extremely appealing indoor/outdoor infrastructure that creates authentic and natural vibes, borders on luxurious and poses considerable competition to all the other ultra-inclusive resorts out there.
Whether you’d like to visit one time just to soak in any of their countless thermal pools or make a vacation out of it is up to you. The Springs Resort is the proud home to the deepest geothermal pool in the world. Its source spring – referred to as Mother Spring – of 144°F cools down and feeds 25 thermal pools of varying shapes, sizes and temperatures.
A standard one time pass is $65 per adult. However, there’s a vast selection of packages to choose from.
Spa and wellness treatments are in abundance, along with numerous activities and classes, massages of almost all kinds of techniques, facial treatments, and fun events.
More info can be found here.
Iron Mountain Hot Springs
Situated along the banks of the Colorado River and at the base of the mighty Iron Mountain is a collection of 16 fully natural mineral-rich pools named Iron Mountain Hot Springs.
All pools are built into concrete and located within walking distance from each other. They are of varying shapes, sizes and temperatures averaging 98°F to 108°F.
An onsite cafe and bar are also available to quench your thirst. Iron Mountain Hot Springs is one of the coziest establishments on this list (giving Strawberry Park Hot Springs a run for its money) and promises to provide its guests with all the necessary features for a fulfilling and rewarding relaxation session.
Speaking of, they recently added a new feature, the ‘UPRIVER’ section – an adults-only area where visitors aged 21 and above can relax and rejuvenate to their heart’s content.
A 3-hour pass is $36-$48, but you can find plenty of other packages.
More info can be found here.
Joyful Journey Hot Springs
Joyful Journey is a remote and secluded destination offering its guests three pools of healing thermal waters. The appearance of Joyful Journey in a way resembles spanish-style architecture. It’s extremely homey, very cozy, aesthetically pleasing and will turn your Instagram feed into an artist’s portfolio.
Joyful Journey is located in the open fields of San Luis Valley and encircled by mighty snow-capped mountain peaks, creating a majestic and healing atmosphere all around. On that note, it’s also worth remembering that their stunning greenhouse is also here for guests to check out year-round.
The thermal water temperature hovers between 98-108°F. You will find both indoor and outdoor pools.
Spa Services, weekend yoga classes and a dry sauna are also available for additional relaxation sessions.
Overnight accommodation options include hotel rooms, casitas, yurts and tent & RV sites.
Joyful Journey Hot Springs an enviro-friendly establishment that supports local agriculture, serving vegan and gluten-free meals.
More info can be found here.
Hot Sulphur Springs
Huddled deep in the heart of the Colorado Rockies is a collection of 19 naturally fed geothermal pools. Yep, 19, and they’re 100% natural.
At Hot Suphur Springs, you will find countless soaking areas divided up by rock walls, all located within walking distance from one another. The area is known to become covered in thick blankets of snow, just like a lot of other picks on our list, which means that the facility will be extra alluring during snowy months.
Due to the large amounts of sulfur, the waters have milky-white hues as well as a sulfurous odor, so if you’re not big on what people humorously consider to be a ‘smell of rotten eggs’, then Hot Sulphur Springs of Colorado may not be the place for you.
Many diverse-technique massage specialists are available to help you relax to the fullest.
Overnight accommodation is also available.
A day pass for visitors aged 12 and above is $26.
More info can be found here.
Etiquette Guidelines
Every hot spring has its own quirks. They all have a set of rules that visitors need to follow regardless of what kind of spring you’re visiting.
For more general and very important “hot springs etiquette,” we highly recommend you take a moment to check out our carefully compiled easy-to-read list of “dos and don’ts” here. And always, always respect our nature – pack out what you pack in and LEAVE NO TRACE.
The Final Takeaway
If you’re looking for a getaway in the mountains, then you should definitely consider visiting some of the best commercial hot springs in Colorado. They are equipped with all things necessary to help you reach your spiritual peak and connect with nature, with a lot more secret ingredients in store.
If you enjoy winter holiday vacations, then you should definitely visit these resorts because absolutely nothing beats kicking back and relaxing in the calming mineral waters at the heart of the snow-covered Colorado mountain ranges.
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!
