While Denver lacks one of its hot springs, there are still a few hot springs to day trip to and several more that make a great overnight trip. Idaho Springs is the closest hot springs town to the Mile High City.
Reap some of the benefits of living near the Rocky Mountains by soaking in these beneficial thermal mineral waters. These mineral springs resorts all can be reached within an hour or two hour’s drive of Downtown Denver.
Two of them make an easy day trip any time of year. The other and first mentioned spring is only a seasonal swimming pool filled with mineral water, so it’s best for summer family fun.
Those that are further out are best for an overnight getaway. Two of them reside close together in Chaffee County, so you could knock out two in one trip.
Here are the natural hot springs near Denver, CO, in order of proximity, starting with the closest:
Eldorado Springs Swimming Pool – 40 min/29 miles
To the north close to Boulder is this family’s favorite mineral water playground that’s been around for more than 100 years. It’s most known for its namesake bottled water, Eldorado Springs, which is found in markets all around the state and is considered some of North America’s best-tasting water.
Though it’s not a hot spring, this gem is filled with water from its underground natural artesian spring. Open since 1905, the “Jewel of Boulder County” is the best place to beat the summer heat. The Eldorado Springs Swimming Pool opens on Memorial Day weekend and runs through Labor Day.
Open daily during the summer, the pool is fun for all ages. Those 12 years and under must have a parent or guardian with them in the pool at all times.
294 Artesian Dr, Eldorado Springs | 303-499-9640 | eldoradosprings.com/swimming-pool
Indian Hot Springs – 40 min/33 miles
Directly west of the city on I-70 lies Idaho Springs’ historic Indian Hot Springs, which is Denver’s closest hot springs. Most Denverites pass by these locals’ hot springs on their way to and from the ski slopes. The resort features a plethora of soaking options, spa services, and accommodations. Cover yourself in the dirt at Club Mud for an exfoliating experience.
The main mineral water swimming pool resides under a translucent dome in an indoor tropical forest. It’s heated to between 90° to 100° and continuously fed with 115° water. There are also private indoor baths and outdoor Jaccuzis for rent that are filled with hot springs water.
Or select the individual entry to men’s and women’s geo-thermal caves, which are one of the most unique features in the state. They were carved in the mountainside between 1903 and 1911. These adult-only, bathing suit-optional caves each have numerous hot springs baths inside heated between 104° to 112° F.
302 Soda Creek Rd, Idaho Springs | 303-567-1303 | indianhotsprings.com
SunWater Spa – 1 hour 15 min/76 miles
South on I-25 to Colorado Springs and minutes west on Highway 24 leads you to Manitou Springs’ SunWater Spa. This is the closest hot springs to Colorado Springs. You’ll be minutes away from world-class attractions like the Garden of the Gods. This complete wellness resort features a myriad of healing amenities, from workshops and events, to classes, spa services, and of course, hot springs soaking.
There are seven public cedar tubs filled with hot mineral water at SunWater Spa, along with one private pool rental. The source is Manitou’s Seven Minute Spring, which comes from the Manitou Karst aquifer. On its way to the surface, the flow picks up a myriad of healthy minerals.
With the use of solar energy, the water is raised to 100° to 104°. The warm water draws oils and aroma from the cedar tub too, which is known to help your skin, respiratory system, and relaxation. This gives SunWater Spa’s hot springs a unique yellow to rich, dark red hue.
You can soak for 90-minute sessions. All guests have access to the public pools, hot and cold plunge pool, infrared and traditional sauna, and a meditation stream. When not in use, guests may also use the heated saline therapy pool and two yoga studios.
Hot Sulphur Springs – 1 hour 50 min/97 miles
Grand County’s only hot springs resort happens to be one of the state’s favorites. The historic Hot Sulphur Springs Resort features seven natural springs that surface between 104º and 126º. These are used to heat a wide array of natural hot springs pools. It’s considered one of the oldest and top hot springs resorts in the United States.
There are 21 pools of a variety of sizes spread out over the hillside. Open from 8 am to 10 pm daily, they range in temperature from 95º to 112º. There is also a private pool for rent. Combine your soak with a treatment from the spa, including massages, body wraps and salt glows.
Visitors may stay overnight at Hot Sulphur Springs in a lodge room, cabin, or apartment rental. The 17 motel rooms showcase lodgepole furniture to create that alpine ambiance. Access to the outdoor pools is complimentary with an overnight stay.
5609 County Rd 20, Hot Sulphur Springs | 970-725-3306 | hotsulphursprings.com
Cottonwood Hot Springs – 2 hours 19 min/125 miles
Tucked away at the base of the Continental Divide and Collegiate Peaks Range, Cottonwood is one of the best hot springs in proximity to Denver. It’s located only 5.5 miles west of downtown Buena Vista (BV). This laid-back locals’ favorite resort features a handful of gravity-fed natural pools, rated from between 80° and 106°, along with several on-site lodging options and spa services. It also makes use of wind, solar, and geothermal energy.
Thanks to its location at the start of Cottonwood Pass, free dispersed camping is readily available only minutes west of the hot springs in the San Isabel National Forest. You can also rent out a tent campsite at Cottonwood, a rustic cabin with a private hot springs pool, lodge room, women’s only dormitory room, or larger vacation rental.
Overnight guests staying at the resort are usually granted after-hours access to use the pools when not in cleaning. In addition to the mineral water pools, there are a dry sauna and spa services including wraps, scrubs, facials, and massage. It’s open from 7 am to midnight every day.
18999 County Rd 306, Buena Vista | 719-395-6434 | cottonwood-hot-springs.com/colorado
Mt Princeton Hot Springs – 2 hours 19 min/127 miles
Established in 1879, Mount Princeton is an odorless hot springs paradise nestled in Nathrop’s Chalk Creek Canyon. It’s situated just south of BV before Salida. This historic hot spring is one of the largest resorts of its kind in the state. The thermal water reaches the surface at 120° F. It makes an excellent event destination, with two wedding venues and four indoor event spaces. Make it your next yoga retreat!
There are a wide array of ways to enjoy a hot springs soak at Mt Princeton, including creekside pools and multiple larger soaking and swimming pools. Overnight guests 16+ have VIP access to the Spa & Club, daily fitness and yoga classes, as well as unlimited complimentary soaking on all days they stay including check-in/check-out. You can also purchase a day spa pass or individual spa treatment.
Lodging choices are many, with luxury cabins and both cliffside and hillside hotel rooms. The creekside pools do seasonally close in spring due to snow melt causing Chalk Creek to rise and flow fast.
15870 Co Rd 162, Nathrop | 719-395-2447 | mtprinceton.com
The aforementioned Cottonwood Hot Springs and Mt. Princeton Hot Springs are far from the only resorts in Chaffee County. Check out other hot springs near Buena Vista, all within 2.5 hours of Denver.
Other Hot Springs 3+ Hours from Denver
If you’re willing to drive 2.5 to 3 hours from Denver for a weekend hot springs retreat, you have a few additional choices. Both Glenwood Springs, 157 miles, and Steamboat Springs, 156 miles, lie under 3 hours from the city and feature multiple resorts.
We wrote another article on the top hot springs near Glenwood Springs, featuring 3 resorts and 2 primitive pools. Steamboat Springs is another prime choice home to two resorts, Strawberry Park and Old Town Hot Springs.
There is also the San Luis Valley with 2 hot springs resorts and 2 hot springs swimming pools that are around a 3 to 4-hour drive depending on your destination. Discover these hot springs near Alamosa and the Great Sand Dunes.
Pagosa Springs is just west of the San Luis Valley on the other side of Wolf Creek Pass at 4.5 hours. At this point, you should consider our Colorado hot springs loop. It’s a 6+ night road trip hitting 6 of the most populated hot springs regions in the state. Happy soaking!
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