The Top Three Hot Springs You Must Check Out in Colorado!
My favorite thing to do in Colorado is hitting up as many hot springs as possible. It doesn't matter if it is winter or summer. After a day's adventure, soaking in a hot body of water is refreshing and relaxing!
With almost 100 hot springs in the state, you may be unsure which ones to visit. If so, check out my three favorite hot springs below!
Orvis Hot Springs
I mentioned these in 11 Exhilarating Winter Activities in Telluride, Colorado: More Than Just Skiing! They’re located in Ridgeway, Colorado, just between Telluride and Ouray. I have been visiting Orvis since 2015.
My favorite time to go is at night because there isn’t much light pollution and you can see the bright stars. If you are lucky, you can even catch a meteor shower. However, you may choose to go during the day. Doing so will give you the nice treat of seeing Mount Sneffels, one of many 14ers (mountains that are 14,000 feet) in the San Juan Mountain range, and if you go late enough in the afternoon, maybe you can catch a stunning Colorado sunset!
This place had four ponds ranging from 62 degrees to 114 degrees. The hot springs are natural, and the natural lithium water is never heated or treated. They are cleaned frequently, too! My two favorite pools are the lobster pool (the hottest) and the cold plunge. I love going back and forth between them, especially after a long day of skiing or hiking. It helps with muscle recovery.
If this isn’t your cup of tea, there is also a dry sauna there. Or you may prefer to stay indoors. If so, they include one indoor pool and two private tubs in your daily ticket.
This clothing-optional hot spring also offers massages and lodging if you want to stay and explore more of the San Juan Mountains. They offer six theme rooms, or if you’d like, you can car camp. Both options come with two free day soaks with the price (see below) and 24/7 access to the hot springs.
Soaking and Lodging Rates
Their hours are from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm everyday and the following tickets are available. The rates are per person.
Adult–All Day $28
Adult–One-Hour Quick Dip $24
Children 4-12 years old $12
Children 3 & under Free
And if you forgot your towel, there’s no need to worry. You can rent one for $3.
Massage Rates
Soaking in the natural hot springs is included in the price of each one-hour or longer massage, and depending on which massage package you choose, the rates range from $60-230.
Lodging Room Rates
All six rooms share two full bathrooms, each with a shower, sink, and toilet. All lodging guests must be at least 3 years old. No pets are allowed in rooms or the facility as a whole (other than Wayne and Garth, the resident cats).
One room for up to two adults runs $209 + tax per night. This price includes soaking for two adults for two days. If you’re traveling with more than one person, the rate will rise.
Each Additional Adult $60 per night (Soaking also included)
Each Additional Child, 3-12 years old $25 per night (Soaking also included)
Camping Rates
Campers in tents, RVs, or other vehicles have 24-hour access to the restrooms in the main building. The campground is limited to 30 people per night. If you like to travel with your pet, this choice will be best for you because pets are allowed if kept on a leash.
Each Adult $60 per night (Includes soaking for two days)
Each Child, 4-12 years old $25 per night (Includes soaking for two days)
Children 3 & under Free
Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn and Spa
This hot spring has a special place in my heart. I went here in July 2022 on a camping road trip through Colorado. This is the place I finally felt like I could relax after going through a hellish eight months. I remember the sun shining on my body as I floated in the pool, so I closed my eyes and deeply exhaled. At that moment, I felt my body slowly recharge under the sunshine.
Nestled in the majestic Collegiate Peaks Range, San Isabel National Forest surrounds this hot spring. Nearby is the adorable town of Buena Vista, which is close to the Monarch Ski Resort, the perfect place for an after-ski soak.
What I love about Cottonwood Hot Springs is that a river runs along the property, so you can do a cold plunge in it and then head back to the pools. That was the first time I ever did a cold plunge, and I have been hooked ever since! My body never felt better!
You can stay in one of their cabins, lodge rooms, or dormitories, or you can camp like at Orvis. I didn’t stay there because I had a campsite already. Below are the prices to soak and to stay. They also have Spa treatments too. But this hot spring is not clothing optional!
Soaking and Lodging rates
Cottonwood is open from 8 am to midnight, seven days a week. The rates change based on the day of the week. It’s also open holidays.
Weekdays (Mon–Thurs)
Adults - $30, Children under 16 - $24
Weekends (Fri, Sat, Sun) and All Holidays
Adults – $34, Children under 16 – $30
Massage and Spa prices range from $60 to $270.
Lodging Room Rates
Lodging costs also depend on which day you’ll be staying. On Monday through Thursday, the cost is $179/ night +tax, and on Fridays and Saturdays, it will run you $203/night +tax. Be forewarned that if you plan to stay on a Saturday, they require a 2-night minimum.
Dormitory Rates
If you’re on a budget but still want a great place to stay, the dormitory may be what you’re looking for. It costs $66 plus tax per person per night for a single bed and $78 plus tax for a one-person double bed per night. If you plan on showing up with another person, you could also go for the $114 plus tax Double bed rate that allows for 2 people.
Campsite Rates
The costs are different for RV versus tent sites, and there’s an additional fee for your pet if you choose to bring one.
Tent Sites:
$55 per adult
$42 per child
For each extra adult, the cost reduces to $42, and each extra child costs $30.
RV Sites:
$66 per adult
$42 per child
Iron Mountain Hot Springs
On the same trip I mentioned above, I went to Iron Mountain, located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, after being convinced by a local to come here instead of the Glenwood Hot Spring Resort. I was lucky to score the last ticket for the day.
Some of the pools there overlook the Colorado River. While relaxing in one, I watched people floating down the river, which was a cool experience!
This hot spring is set up differently than the other two. You have three options for soaking in their 32 pools. They range from 3 hours to all day, and I will cover them below. Iron Mountain doesn’t have lodging, but there are many hotels nearby.
This hot spring is more expensive than the other two, but it is well worth it!
Soaking Rates
General Access
This is a 3-hour soak with access to 19 pools. $40 – $52
WorldSprings Access
Another 3-hour soak, this one allows you to access to all 32 pools. This one isn’t for families: age 21 & over only. $55 – $67
All-Day Soak
With this package, you get access to all 32 pools. Be careful, though. There is a limited number of passes available. $100 – $150
Let me know if you decide to visit one of these springs and how your experience was!