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Hot Springs near Buena Vista Mount Princeton Pool
Hot springs pool at Mount Princeton. Photo: facebook.com/pg/mountprinceton

Buena Vista’s Healing Hot Springs

December 31, 2020 By //  by Matt Thomas

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This stunning section of central Colorado boasts a handful of hot spring resorts to go along with its beautiful vistas. Buena Vista is a vibrant, but quiet, destination community resting humbly at the base of the towering Collegiate Peaks.

Combined with Chaffee County neighbor Nathrop, Buena Vista boasts a handful of hot springs choices. Currently, there are two public resorts and three private hot spring home rentals. A couple had closed and another is expected to open early next year. We’ll kick off the list with the two most popular public hot springs close to Denver, followed up by the private ones, and conclude with Salida and the San Luis Valley if you’re willing to drive.

Here are the hot springs resorts around Buena Vista, CO, in no particular order:

1. Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa | Public

Cottonwood Hot Springs Pools Buena Vista CO
Soaking pool at Cottonwood Hot Springs in Buena Vista.

Located in Buena Vista only ten minutes west of historic downtown, Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa is a locals’ favorite. They feature a collection of soaking pools to choose from, usually at least 4 on any given night. A range of temperatures and pool sizes are perfect for different levels of soaking. There’s also a dry sauna and lock rooms for changing.

On-site accommodations are varied at Cottonwood. They have a historic inn on-site, which features two levels of motel style rooms. You can also rent a cabin on site, which come with their own private hot springs pool. Primitive guests can pitch a tent on site if it’s the season for it. All overnight guests receive after hours access to use the hot springs pools (unless they are being cleaned).

2. Mount Princeton Hot Springs | Public

Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort Aerial View Nathrop CO
Aerial of Mount Princeton Hot Springs resort. Photo: facebook.com/mountprinceton

The biggest hot springs resort in Chaffee County is undoubtedly Mount Princeton Hot Springs. It features a variety of soaking and swimming pools are filled with natural hot springs water. There are several overnight options, including rooms at the Lodge, creekside and hillside rooms, as well as private cabins.

Tucked away in Nathrop’s Chalk Creek Canyon, this resort is a family favorite thanks to its variety of fun amenities. Year round you’ll find 3 large hot springs swimming pools, kept at varying temperatures. Except for during spring, there are creekside natural soaking pools resting on Chalk Creek. The Upper Pool is open from Memorial to Labor Day weekend with its 400 foot long water slide.

3. Merrifield Homestead Cabins & Hot Springs | Private

Merrifield Homestead Cabins and Hot Springs Buena Vista
Private hot springs pool at Merrifield Homestead Cabins in Buena Vista. Photo: Chris Cantrell

Only a quick drive from downtown Buena Vista lies this private retreat. It provides two restored cabins for rent each equipped with a hot springs pool for overnight guests. The resort overlooks Cottonwood Creek just up the country Highway 360 from the aforementioned Cottonwood Hot Springs.

The cabins each come equipped with a full kitchen, private deck with picnic table and custom hot tub filled with natural hot springs water. Choose between the Merrifield Cabin and the Holloway Cabin. Both are open year round for reservations.Merrifield Homestead Cabins and Hot Springs resides at the start of Cottonwood Pass too, so there’s alpine recreation at your fingertips.

4. Antero Hot Springs Cabins | Private

Antero Hot Springs Cabins Private Pool Nathrop CO Winter Snow
Private pool at Antero Hot Springs Cabins in Nathrop. Photo: facebook.com/anterohotspringcabins

This one’s dubbed a “Legendary Colorado Relaxation Destination.” And by the looks of it, you would concur. Antero Hot Springs Cabins features three private cabins for rent: Cottonwood, Hortense and Chalk Cliffs. Each cabin features its own hand carved hot springs pool resting by its door.

The on-site hot springs source is low in sulphur, so no eggy odor, but high in other valuable minerals. The pools are all drained, cleaned and refilled before a new guest arrives. The cabins are available for rent year round, but you’ll need to reserve early to get your desired spot.

5. Treehouse Hot Springs | Private

Treehouse Hot Springs Cabin Rental Nathrop CO
Private Treehouse Hot Springs cabin rental in Nathrop. Photo: Bob Heldenbrand

This is one of the most unique accommodations in Colorado. The lodge consists of two octagons that are raised up in a treehouse like fashion, in order to soak in the canyon views. Your stay includes unlimited access to your personal hot springs and fishing along 450 feet of Chalk Creek. Daily stays aren’t cheap, but they do offer weekly and monthly discounts.

The private hot springs pool measures 27 feet in length, and like the others, it’s creekside. The house has all the amenities you’d need on your holiday, multiple TVS, grills and a fully equipped kitchen. Everything is ready to roll to make your dream vacation a reality. Just book Treehouse Hot Springs early for a spot.

Salida and South to the San Luis Valley | Public

Salida Hot Springs Entrance
Entrance to Hot Springs Aquatic Center, Salida, Colorado. Photo: Sharon Hahn Darlin

If you’ve already come the two hours and fifteen minutes from Denver to Buena Vista, perhaps you’re willing to go a little further. It’s only 30 minutes south of Buena Vista to reach Salida, which has an indoor hot springs swimming pool. You can base in either town and easily enjoy the region’s hot springs.

Continue south from Salida/Poncha Springs over Poncha Pass to reach the mystical San Luis Valley, which is 45 minutes. It holds a few hot springs gems that are open to the public year round.

Salida Hot Springs – Located in downtown Salida, this hot springs pool has several claims to fame. First and foremost, it’s the largest indoor hot springs pool in North America. Secondly and luckily for local residents, it’s the only publicly-operated aquatic facility for over 100 miles. In addition to a gigantic swimming pool, they have private hot tubs for rent by the hour.

Joyful Journey Hot Springs – For those living in the vast San Luis Valley, Joyful Journey Hot Springs is a needed respite. 50 minutes from Buena Vista, it provides great soaking options at affordable rates. You can spend the night in a hotel room, year round yurt, seasonal tee pees or RV and campsites. They also have a spa on-site to aid your recovery.

Valley View Hot Springs – A full hour south from Buena Vista, this is one of the more unique hot springs. For starters, it’s a clothing optional hot springs. It’s also located on the Orient Land Trust, which protects a bunch of alpine forest overlooking the valley. It’s perched off the valley floor, creating a true mountain experience for both overnight guests and day visitors.

Salida Hot Springs Indoor Olympic Swimming Pool
Indoor Olympic Swimming Pool at Salida Hot Springs. Photo: Sharon Hahn Darlin

That’s the roundup of closest hot springs to Buena Vista. Thanks for looking! It’s easy to see why this Collegiate Peaks town is one of the best hot springs destinations from the Front Range.

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Matt Thomas

About Matt Thomas

Matt is an avid writer and explorer, who loves to showcase this wild, wondrous world. And his favorite place to be is right here in the Centennial State.

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