Colorado’s hot springs are scattered along the Rocky Mountain corridor from Steamboat Springs to Pagosa Springs. The state offers everything from free primitive pools high above treeline to luxurious resorts with full spa services. Whether you are based in Denver, visiting ski country, or road-tripping through the mountains, there is a Colorado hot spring within reach.
Primitive and Free
1. Conundrum Hot Springs
One of the highest hot springs in North America, Conundrum sits in a meadow surrounded by towering peaks in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness near Aspen. The long hike through increasingly dramatic alpine scenery is strenuous, and you’ll need a permit, but for those who make the effort, it’s an unforgettable soak.
Best time to visit: July through September. The trail is snowbound the rest of the year.
2. Penny Hot Springs
A series of rock pools right along the Crystal River near Carbondale, Penny is one of Colorado’s most accessible free hot springs. The pools sit just off the highway, so there’s no hike involved — just pull over and soak. Water temperature shifts with the river level, making every visit a little different.
The downside: it is popular and parking is very limited. Go on weekdays or early mornings for a quieter experience.
3. Radium Hot Springs
Not to be confused with its more famous namesake in British Columbia, Colorado’s Radium Hot Springs is a primitive gem along the Colorado River near Kremmling. Simple user-built rock pools offer a raw, no-frills soaking experience. Remote and rarely crowded, it rewards those willing to venture off the beaten path.
Developed and Mid-Range
4. Strawberry Park Hot Springs
Colorado’s most beloved developed hot spring, tucked into a valley outside Steamboat Springs. Natural rock pools surrounded by forest are fed by Strawberry Creek, keeping the water at a consistently comfortable temperature year-round.
Clothing optional after dark. The road is unpaved and requires a capable vehicle in winter. Reservations recommended for evening soaks.
5. Orvis Hot Springs
A clothing-optional facility near Ridgway with multiple indoor and outdoor pools. The spacious main outdoor pond offers mountain views and room to spread out, while indoor private tubs run hotter for a more intense soak.
6. Valley View Hot Springs (Orient Land Trust)
A clothing-optional preserve nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains with multiple pools at different elevations. The trust limits daily visitors to protect the resource, so reservations are essential. A mix of a swimming pool, soaking pools, and natural hillside springs makes this one of Colorado’s most unique hot spring settings.
Commercial and Resort
7. Glenwood Hot Springs Pool
The world’s largest hot spring pool, fed by the Yampah Spring deep below downtown Glenwood Springs. Easily accessible right off the interstate, the massive main pool stretches the length of a football field, while a smaller therapy pool offers a hotter, more concentrated soak.
8. Iron Mountain Hot Springs
A collection of freshwater soaking pools lining the banks of the Colorado River in Glenwood Springs. Each pool is set to a different temperature, so you can find your sweet spot. The polished, family-friendly design and sweeping river views make this one of Colorado’s most refined hot springs experiences.
9. Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort
Multiple pools with jaw-dropping views of Mount Princeton and the surrounding Collegiate Peaks. The creekside pools are the highlight — mix hot spring water with cold creek water to dial in your perfect temperature. Full resort with lodging for those who want to stay the night.
10. Dunton Hot Springs
An ultra-luxury ghost town resort near Telluride. The entire 1800s mining town has been lovingly restored into a high-end destination, with a hot spring-fed pool housed inside a historic log building. Exclusive and intimate, it’s one of the most memorable hot springs experiences in the country — and reserved for resort guests only.
11. Pagosa Hot Springs (The Springs Resort)
Dozens of pools at varying temperatures line the banks of the San Juan River in downtown Pagosa Springs. Home to the world’s deepest geothermal hot spring, Pagosa offers one of the widest ranges of soaking temperatures in the state — from cool to intensely hot — making it accessible for all preferences.
12. SunWater Spa
A boutique hot springs spa in Manitou Springs, just west of Colorado Springs. The closest hot springs option to the Denver metro area, SunWater offers both private and communal soaking in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
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Planning Your Colorado Hot Springs Trip
Best Time to Visit
Colorado hot springs are a year-round activity. Winter soaking is particularly magical when snow surrounds the pools. However, some primitive springs (like Conundrum) are only accessible in summer.
What to Know
- Reservations: Many Colorado springs now require reservations. Book ahead.
- Altitude: Most springs sit at high elevation. Hydrate and give yourself time to acclimate before long soaks.
- Winter access: Some springs require a capable vehicle or chains in winter.
Before any hot spring visit, review our hot springs safety guide — especially important at Colorado’s high-altitude springs. And if you want to compare with the country’s top picks, see our roundup of the 25 best hot springs in the US.
Explore All Colorado Hot Springs
Discover Colorado’s 120+ hot springs — including GPS directions, current conditions, community reviews, and offline maps — in the Soakr app. Download Soakr free for iOS