From polished resort pools to primitive backcountry soaks, Colorado’s hot springs come in every style. Winter is arguably the best time — but they’re a treat any season.
Colorado hot springs at a glance
| World’s largest pool | Glenwood Hot Springs, Glenwood Springs |
|---|---|
| World’s deepest spring | The Springs Resort, Pagosa Springs |
| Most rustic & scenic | Strawberry Park (Steamboat), Conundrum (backcountry) |
| Best for families | Ouray Hot Springs Pool, Old Town (Steamboat) |
| Best season | Year-round — magical in winter snow |
Glenwood Springs & the I-70 corridor
Glenwood Springs is Colorado’s hot-springs capital. The historic Glenwood Hot Springs Pool is the largest hot-springs pool on Earth; nearby Iron Mountain Hot Springs offers 16+ mineral pools along the Colorado River, and the Yampah Vapor Caves are natural steam baths. Closer to Denver, Indian Hot Springs in Idaho Springs is an easy day trip.
Where to stayFind hotels in Glenwood SpringsWestern Colorado, on I-70 - base for Glenwood Hot Springs (the world's largest pool) and Iron MountainCheck availability →Steamboat & northern Colorado
In Steamboat Springs, the in-town Old Town Hot Springs is great for families, while Strawberry Park Hot Springs — a rustic, stone-lined soak up a dirt road — is pure magic under falling snow (four-wheel drive or a shuttle in winter). Further east, historic Hot Sulphur Springs is a quiet, uncrowded option.
Where to stayFind hotels in Steamboat SpringsNorthern Colorado - base for in-town Old Town and the rustic Strawberry Park Hot SpringsCheck availability →The San Juans & southwest Colorado
Ouray — the “Switzerland of America” — has the family-friendly Ouray Hot Springs Pool plus the historic Wiesbaden vapor cave, and Orvis Hot Springs in nearby Ridgway. To the south, Pagosa Springs is built around the Springs Resort, whose “Mother Spring” is recognized as the world’s deepest geothermal hot spring.
Where to stayFind hotels in OurayThe San Juans, southwest Colorado - base for the Ouray Hot Springs Pool and vapor cavesCheck availability → Where to stayFind hotels in Pagosa SpringsSouthwest Colorado - base for The Springs Resort, the world's deepest hot springCheck availability →Central Colorado & the Arkansas Valley
Around Buena Vista and Salida, Mount Princeton Hot Springs is a full resort with riverside pools beneath the Collegiate Peaks, and Cottonwood Hot Springs offers a more laid-back soak. It’s a natural pairing with a rafting day on the Arkansas River.
Where to stayFind hotels in Buena VistaCentral Colorado, Arkansas Valley - base for Mount Princeton and Cottonwood Hot SpringsCheck availability →Backcountry & natural soaks
For the adventurous, Colorado has free, primitive springs you earn on foot: Conundrum Hot Springs (a stunning 8.5-mile hike near Aspen, permit required), plus roadside-ish soaks like Radium, Penny, and Rainbow Hot Springs. These are undeveloped — some are clothing-optional, none have services, and you must pack out everything. Always check current access before you go.
Tips for visiting Colorado hot springs
Go in winter if you can — a snowy soak is unforgettable. Book ahead: Strawberry Park, Iron Mountain, and the resort pools often sell timed tickets, especially on weekends. Hydrate (you’re at altitude and losing water fast), limit soaks to 15–20 minutes at a time, and don’t soak and drink. For backcountry springs, know before you go and leave no trace.
Colorado hot springs FAQ
What are the best hot springs in Colorado?
Top picks include Glenwood Hot Springs (the world's largest pool) and Iron Mountain in Glenwood Springs, the Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs (the world's deepest spring), Ouray Hot Springs Pool, Strawberry Park near Steamboat for a rustic soak, and Mount Princeton near Buena Vista. There's a mix of polished resort pools and natural backcountry soaks.
Can you visit Colorado hot springs in winter?
Yes, and winter is arguably the best time. Soaking in a steaming mineral pool surrounded by snow is a signature Colorado experience, and most commercial hot springs are open year-round. Rustic spots like Strawberry Park may require four-wheel drive or a shuttle when roads are snowy.
Which is the biggest and deepest hot spring in Colorado?
Glenwood Hot Springs in Glenwood Springs has the largest hot-springs pool in the world, while the Mother Spring at the Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs is recognized as the world's deepest measured geothermal hot spring.
Do you need reservations for Colorado hot springs?
Often, yes. Many resort pools such as Iron Mountain and rustic favorites like Strawberry Park sell timed tickets that can fill up on weekends and in winter, so book ahead. Backcountry springs like Conundrum require a permit to camp.
Are there free natural hot springs in Colorado?
Yes. Several primitive backcountry springs, including Conundrum, Radium, Penny, and Rainbow, are free to soak but require a hike, have no services, and expect you to pack out all trash. Some are clothing-optional, so check the norms and current access before visiting.