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Colorado sits atop some of the most geothermally active ground in the American West, and the result is a remarkable concentration of natural hot springs — from massive resort pools drawing thousands of visitors a day to clothing-optional backcountry soaks accessible only by trail. Whether you want a family-friendly afternoon at a full-service resort or a quiet evening under the stars in a wilderness pool, Colorado has a hot spring for it.
This guide covers the best hot springs in Colorado worth making a trip for — with honest notes on what each one is actually like, who it suits, what it costs, and where to stay nearby.
Glenwood Hot Springs — Glenwood Springs
The most famous hot spring in Colorado
The Glenwood Hot Springs Pool is the largest natural hot springs pool in the world — 405 feet long, holding 1.1 million gallons of geothermally heated water. It sits in the heart of Glenwood Springs inside Glenwood Canyon, with canyon walls rising on both sides and the Colorado River running alongside. It’s a legitimate bucket-list stop, and it lives up to the reputation.
The main pool is kept at around 90°F — comfortable for long swims rather than passive soaking. The smaller therapy pool runs hotter at 104°F and is where most adults end up lingering. The resort has undergone significant renovation in recent years and now includes a full spa, poolside restaurant, and hotel on site. Admission is separate from lodging.
Glenwood Springs itself is a well-developed mountain town with good dining, rafting on the Colorado River, Hanging Lake (permit required), and Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park above the canyon. It’s a strong overnight destination rather than a day trip from Denver — the drive is about 2.5 hours each way.
Practical info:
- Water temp: 90°F (main pool), 104°F (therapy pool)
- Admission: Adults from ~$30; check the resort’s website for current pricing and hours
- Best time to visit: Weekday mornings for thinner crowds; spring and fall for comfortable air temperatures
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Strawberry Park Hot Springs — Steamboat Springs
Best for a wilderness soaking experience
Strawberry Park is the hot spring most Colorado locals point to when asked for their favorite. It sits seven miles north of Steamboat Springs on a dirt road through the Routt National Forest — rustic, clothing-optional after dark, and genuinely beautiful. Several rock-lined pools of varying temperatures step down alongside a cold creek, so you can move between hot and cold as you like. The setting feels wild in a way that resort pools don’t.
The clothing-optional policy applies after dark on weekends and all day on certain designated dates — check the current schedule before visiting. During daytime hours it’s family-friendly and swimsuits are the norm. The drive up the dirt road requires high clearance after rain; a low-clearance vehicle may not make it when the road is muddy.
Strawberry Park has a small number of camping spots and rustic cabins on site — these book out fast and make for one of the more memorable overnight experiences in Colorado. Reservations are strongly recommended on weekends year-round.
Practical info:
- Water temp: Approximately 104°F at the main pools
- Admission: ~$20 adults; reservations recommended on weekends
- Clothing optional: After dark weekends and designated times — check the schedule before visiting
- Road: Dirt — high clearance recommended after rain; closed to 2WD vehicles when muddy
- Best time to visit: Weekday afternoons in shoulder season — May, September, and October
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The Springs Resort — Pagosa Springs
Best for serious soakers and variety
Pagosa Springs sits on the world’s deepest known geothermal hot spring — the Mother Spring, which registers temperatures above 140°F at the source and has been measured to depths of over 1,000 feet. The Springs Resort channels this water into 25 distinct soaking pools terraced along the San Juan River, each maintained at a different temperature. It’s the most thoughtfully designed soaking experience in Colorado.
The pools range from 83°F to 114°F, stepping down toward the river’s edge where a cold plunge is available. Day passes are available without requiring a hotel stay. The overall vibe skews more spa than water park — quiet, intentional, and worth the drive to the southwestern corner of the state.
Pagosa Springs is 60 miles east of Durango and roughly four hours from Denver. It’s a destination rather than a detour, but the combination of 25 pools at varying temperatures and the surrounding San Juan Mountains makes it worth the commitment.
Practical info:
- Water temp: 83°F–114°F across 25 pools
- Admission: Day passes from ~$55; check current rates before visiting
- Adults-only hours: Available during evening hours — check the schedule
- Best time to visit: Fall and winter — snow-dusted mountains behind the pools is a spectacular setting
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Surf Hotel Hot Springs — Buena Vista
Best for a boutique hotel experience
Buena Vista has emerged as one of Colorado’s most compelling outdoor towns in recent years, and the Surf Hotel is the centerpiece of that transformation. The property sits on the Arkansas River with views toward the Collegiate Peaks — a string of fourteeners that form one of the most dramatic skylines in the state. The hot springs pools are fed by natural geothermal water and range from a soaking temperature down to a cooler dip pool.
Unlike the other entries on this list, the Surf Hotel hot springs are primarily for hotel guests rather than day visitors, though day passes are sometimes available. This makes it more of a resort destination than a standalone soaking stop. If you’re planning a Buena Vista trip anyway — for the Arkansas River whitewater, the hiking, or the fourteener access — it’s a natural place to stay.
The Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, about 15 miles south near Nathrop, is the better option if you want open day-visitor access in the same area — with multiple pools fed by natural springs and reliable walk-up availability outside of peak weekends.
Practical info:
- Access: Primarily hotel guests; day passes sometimes available — check in advance
- Nearby alternative: Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort (~15 miles south) — open to day visitors
- Best time to visit: Year-round; winter with Collegiate Peaks snow views is exceptional
👉 Search Buena Vista Hotels on Hotels.com
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Planning Your Colorado Hot Springs Trip
Seasonal considerations
Hot springs are genuinely a year-round activity in Colorado, but the experience varies significantly by season. Winter is many locals’ favorite — soaking in 104°F water while snow falls around you is hard to beat, and crowds thin considerably outside of holiday weekends. Summer brings the biggest crowds and the warmest air temperatures, which makes the hotter pools feel less appealing on a 90°F afternoon. Fall and spring hit the sweet spot for most visitors — cooler air, comfortable soaking temperatures, and manageable crowds.
Altitude and hydration
Most Colorado hot springs sit at elevation — Strawberry Park at 7,000 feet, Pagosa Springs at 7,100 feet, Buena Vista at 7,955 feet. Combine high altitude with prolonged hot water immersion and dehydration sets in faster than expected. Drink water before, during, and after soaking. Limit time in the hottest pools to 15–20 minutes at a stretch, and step into a cooler pool or the cold plunge before returning to the hottest water.
Reservations
All four destinations on this list are busier than they used to be. Strawberry Park in particular sells out on summer and fall weekends — reserve before making the drive up the dirt road. The Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs recommends advance booking for day passes on weekends. Glenwood Hot Springs rarely sells out but lines can be long on summer afternoons.
Tours and Activities Near Colorado’s Hot Springs
Planning activities beyond the soak? Browse guided tours, outdoor adventures, and local experiences in the Glenwood Springs area:
Related Pages
- Glenwood Springs, Colorado — town guide for Colorado’s hot springs capital
- Steamboat Springs, Colorado — town guide including Strawberry Park Hot Springs
- Pagosa Springs, Colorado — town guide for the San Juan Mountains