Some of the best hot springs in America are completely free. No entrance fee, no reservation, no gatekeepers. Just natural geothermal water on public land, open to anyone willing to find them.
This guide covers 50 of the best free hot springs across the US, organized by state. All are on public land (BLM, National Forest, or state land) and confirmed free at the time of writing.
Idaho (The Free Hot Springs Capital)
Idaho has more free, soakable hot springs than any other state. Most are on National Forest or BLM land.
- Goldbug Hot Springs — Cascade pools in a stunning mountain canyon
- Kirkham Hot Springs — Roadside pools along the South Fork Payette River
- Pine Flats Hot Springs — Multiple pools on the South Fork Payette
- Trail Creek Hot Springs — Clothing optional with two main soaking pools
- Boat Box Hot Springs — Riverside pool accessible by boat or trail
- Sunbeam Hot Springs — Highway-side pools along the Salmon River
- Jerry Johnson Hot Springs — Forest pools along Warm Springs Creek
- Weir Creek Hot Springs — Multiple tiered pools off Highway 12
- Stanley Hot Springs — Remote and pristine forest pools
- Rocky Canyon Hot Springs — Canyon pools near Boise
Explore all Idaho’s free springs with GPS and offline maps in Soakr. Download free
Nevada (Desert Soaking)
Nevada’s BLM land is dotted with free hot springs in wide-open desert landscapes.
- Spencer Hot Springs — Cattle trough tubs with panoramic desert views
- Trego Hot Springs — Black Rock Desert pools near Burning Man playa
- Kyle Hot Springs — Remote desert spring with mountain backdrop
- Beowawe Hot Springs — Unique geothermal terrace formations
- Diana’s Punch Bowl — Dramatic geothermal crater, viewable only
- Soldier Meadows Hot Springs — Remote BLM pools in open rangeland
- Twelve Mile Hot Springs — Creek-side pools with tufa formations
Explore all Nevada’s free springs with GPS and offline maps in Soakr. Download free
California (Roadside to Remote)
- Travertine Hot Springs — Eastern Sierra roadside pools with mountain views
- Wild Willy’s Hot Springs — Boardwalk spring near Mammoth Lakes
- Buckeye Hot Springs — Creekside pools near Bridgeport
- Keough Hot Springs (primitive) — Free primitive pools near Bishop
- Remington Hot Springs — Kern River canyon pools
- Sespe Hot Springs — Deep backcountry pools in Los Padres
- Saline Valley Hot Springs — Remote Death Valley clothing-optional pools
Explore all California’s free springs with GPS and offline maps in Soakr. Download free
Oregon (Forest Hot Springs)
- Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs — Beautiful tiered forest pools
- McCredie Hot Springs — Roadside pools along Salt Creek
- Wall Creek Hot Springs (Meditation Pool) — Peaceful riverside pool
- Paulina Hot Springs — Volcanic spring on Paulina Lake
Explore all Oregon’s free springs with GPS and offline maps in Soakr. Download free
Wyoming (Yellowstone Region)
- Boiling River — Yellowstone’s famous river mixing zone
- Granite Hot Springs — Forest Service pool in a mountain valley
- Huckleberry Hot Springs — Short walk near Grand Teton
- Astoria Hot Springs — Recently redeveloped community pools
Explore all Wyoming’s free springs with GPS and offline maps in Soakr. Download free
Colorado (High Altitude Soaking)
- Conundrum Hot Springs — Alpine pools at 11,200 feet elevation
- Penny Hot Springs — Crystal River roadside pools
- Radium Hot Springs — Colorado River primitive pools
- South Canyon Hot Springs — Creek pools near Glenwood Springs
Explore all Colorado’s free springs with GPS and offline maps in Soakr. Download free
Montana (Wilderness Pools)
- Jerry Johnson Hot Springs (Montana side) — Forest pools near the Idaho border
- Boiling River (Yellowstone MT entrance) — Gardner River mixing zone
- Potosi Hot Springs — Warm pool in Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
- Lolo Hot Springs (primitive area) — Natural pools near the developed resort
Explore all Montana’s free springs with GPS and offline maps in Soakr. Download free
New Mexico (Desert Therapy)
- Spence Hot Springs — Jemez Mountains forest pools
- San Antonio Hot Springs — Remote forest pools with a moderate hike
- Manby Hot Springs — Rio Grande Gorge pools near Taos
- Jordan Hot Springs — Gila Wilderness backcountry pools
Explore all New Mexico’s free springs with GPS and offline maps in Soakr. Download free
Utah (Red Rock Soaking)
- Fifth Water Hot Springs — Popular Diamond Fork Canyon pools
- Meadow Hot Springs — Three spring pools on open rangeland
Explore all Utah’s free springs with GPS and offline maps in Soakr. Download free
Washington
- Scenic Hot Springs — Cascade Mountain pool with sweeping views
- Goldmyer Hot Springs — Reservation-only wilderness spring
Explore all Washington’s free springs with GPS and offline maps in Soakr. Download free
Alaska
- Chena Hot Springs (day use area) — Primitive pools near the resort
- Manley Hot Springs — Small town community hot spring
Explore all Alaska’s free springs with GPS and offline maps in Soakr. Download free
Tips for Visiting Free Hot Springs
- Verify current access. Land management changes, fires, floods, and seasonal closures can affect availability.
- Arrive early. Free springs with road access get crowded. Weekday mornings are best.
- Pack everything out. These springs stay free because visitors take care of them.
- Bring water. You dehydrate quickly while soaking.
- Tell someone your plans. Many free springs are remote with no cell service.
Idaho is the undisputed king of free hot springs — see our Idaho hot springs guide for 340+ springs, most of which are free. And if you plan to camp at a free spring overnight, our hot springs camping guide has everything you need to plan the trip.
Find Free Hot Springs Near You
Discover free hot springs near you — with GPS coordinates, community reviews, and offline maps — in the Soakr app. Download Soakr free for iOS