Chances are high that if you had your own personal hot springs pool with complete privacy you’d soak in it without a swimsuit. Because some things are better in your birthday suit. There are both public and private clothing-optional hot springs just for that occasion.
If you’re comfortable in your skin and okay with other bare bodies, Colorado boasts a plethora of public hot springs pools that are clothing optional. And you can still wear a swimsuit at clothing-optional resorts, whatever’s comfortable. The rules on nudity and swimsuits vary at each resort. Some hot springs have varying days or times with suits or no suits.
There are also a few hike-to-hot springs not mentioned below that have varying protocols for swimsuits. It’s usually at your discretion though as rules generally forbid it in public. Conundrum near Aspen for example seems to have a clothing-optional atmosphere.
Soak Au Naturel at
Colorado Hot Springs with Swimsuit Optional Times
Colorado is erupting with hot springs, but not everyone lets you bathe sans suit. If you feel like swimming and soaking in hot springs is better done without your swimsuit, we’ve rounded up seven clothing-optional hot springs resorts just for you. Do check the rules on the resort’s official website or call before your visit for confirmation on any specific policies.
These clothing-optional Colorado hot springs permit soaking without a bathing suit on certain days/times, depending on the resort. The rules below are subject to change.
Orvis Hot Springs — Ridgway
Orvis is one of the top hot springs resorts in Colorado’s central Western Slope. This low-key resort has a variety of hot springs, massage, and overnight accommodations. Ten unique soaking pools await you at this locals’ favorite in Ridgway. Lodging is available on site at Orvis Hot Springs in the form of 6 lodge rooms or campsites. All overnight guests get 24-hour access to the pools.
Clothing is optional at either of the 7 outdoor pools but required in the 3 indoor pools. Modest covering, such as a towel or robe is required in the indoor hallways. The clientele is mixed between clothed and nude guests, all enjoying the benefits of the thermal mineral water. You can check all of Orvis’ policies.
1585 County Rd #3, Ridgway | 970-626-5324 | orvishotsprings.com
Strawberry Park Hot Springs — Steamboat Springs
Northwest Colorado’s most popular hot springs lie nestled between Hot Springs Creek in the Ski Town USA, Steamboat Springs. It’s many a Coloradoan’s favorite hot springs resort. Strawberry Park is nestled only 15 minutes drive from downtown, but far enough to really get out into nature. There are several simple and spacious stone soaking pools with sandy bottoms laid out on the valley hillside.
Clothing is required daily during the day and optional nightly after sunset. No one under 18 is permitted after dark. In addition to hot springs soaking, there’s on-site massage available in the private huts, or watsu therapy in a private pool.
A few quirky year-round lodging exists in the form of covered wagons, small and large rustic cabins, and a train caboose. Campsites are open in the summer season. In the winter 4WD or winter tires are often required to make it back to the springs. Shuttle companies transport you from town.
44200 Co Rd 36, Steamboat Springs | 970-879-0342 | strawberryhotsprings.com
Valley View Hot Springs — Moffat
Secluded in the San Luis Valley, this hot spring is one of the most unique resorts in the state. The 35+-year-old resort, which includes a hot springs village and Orient Mine was donated to the Orient Land Trust in 2009 and 2010.
The whole resort property at Valley View Hot Springs is clothing optional. They promote safe, family-friendly, clothing-optional naturism. Admission is also limited based on a daily quota, even if accommodations are available. Reservations are recommended.
There are a number of natural hot springs spread around the wilderness of the resort, with nature trails connecting them. Overnight guests get 24-hour access to them all. Salida is the closest real city, 45 minutes to the north over Poncha Pass. There is lodging on site, in the form of cabin rentals and rooms, as well as both tent and RV campsites.
The views overlooking the valley are extraordinary from around the resort, especially while soaking in a few of the pools.
64393 County Road GG, Moffat | 719-256-4315 | olt.org/vvhs
Desert Reef Hot Springs — Florence
Nestled in Royal Gorge Country in the rolling foothills at the edge of the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains lies Desert Reef Hot Springs. This historic Florence hot spring was originally drilled for oil in the 1940s by Conoco but they struck thermal water instead.
It comes from 1,096 feet down at 132°F and is tinted blue by the mineral Travertine. During summer it’s maintained at less than 98.6°F, whereas in the winter it’s above 100°F. There’s lodging at the property in the form of a few fully renovated Airstream rentals and a tiny house. Pets are not permitted.
This clothing-optional family hot springs resort is open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It’s closed Monday and Tuesday. On Fridays from 10 am to 7 pm clothing is required, then optional again from 7 pm to 10 pm.
Non-member single males are not permitted. Males must be accompanied by their partner, whether male or female. Desert Reef is 40 miles southwest of Colorado Springs.
1194 Co Rd 110, Florence | 719-784-6134 | desertreefhotspring.com
Dakota Hot Springs — Penrose
Only 10 minutes north of the aforementioned Desert Reef lies Dakota Hot Springs in Penrose. The resort is located in the Banana Belt at 5,200 feet, with sweeping views of the Sangre De Cristos. The mild winters allow for year-round use of the hot springs. There’s no lodging on-site, except for camping.
The water flows out from its source at 108° Fahrenheit into 6 feet across a circular tub. This allows for hotter soaking. The rest of the swimming pool averages between 95 and 98°F. The pool has a depth of 3 to 5 feet and a diameter of 70 feet.
The atmosphere here is not a nudist colony, but comparable to a swimsuit or clothing optional beach. Note that on Tuesdays swimsuits are required. Look over their FAQ for common questions.
1 Malibu Blvd, Penrose | 719-372-9250 | dakotahotsprings.com
Indian Hot Springs
There aren’t a whole lot of hot springs near Denver, but this is one of them. This historic resort lies only 32 miles west of Downtown Denver in Idaho Springs. There is a variety of soaking options here, but only the caves are clothing optional. There are lodge rooms, cabins, and campsites for nightly rent.
Indian Hot Springs features an indoor hot springs-filled swimming pool (clothing required) popular with families looking for a fun time splashing around. Adults looking for a more relaxing hot springs soak should consider either their private rent-by-the-hour hot springs pools and tubs, located both inside and outside, or the adult-only caves.
These bathing suit optional caves are dug out of the mountains and contain multiple hot springs-filled baths. There are two for adults, one for women, and one for men.
302 Soda Creek Rd, Idaho Springs | 303-989-6666 | indianhotsprings.com
Thanks for checking our list of clothing optional Colorado hot springs. Have a relaxing stay and remember to follow the resort’s policies.
Camping near Craig and Hayden, CO
