Situated in the center of Colorado, Colorado Springs is conveniently located to provide visitors access to the state’s many outdoor wonders, including several of The Centennial State’s most serene hot springs.
Whether trekking one of the region’s many hiking trails or admiring one of the city’s natural landmarks, the hot springs near Colorado Springs offer quiet respites from which to escape the more rigorous activities of the state.
From luxury thermal pool resort complexes to simple natural pools in a primitive corner of the state, these six hot springs near Colorado Springs offer visitors the perfect, pristine settings for escaping the city’s active lifestyle’ and finding bliss in the state’s tranquil waters. (Distance from Colorado city center in brackets).
Top Hot Springs Near Colorado Springs, CO
1. SunWater Spa (6.3 Miles)
Nestled in the resort community of Manitou Springs, SunWater Spa near Colorado Springs is the closest hot spring facility to the city and is only a 15-minute drive from downtown. This calming retreat provides an idyllic day trip and features several onsite amenities, including an extensive full-service spa.
The opulent facility features seven outdoor cedar mineral tubs fed directly from 7 Minute Spring, the same water source flowing through Manitou’s karst aquifer. Each of the facility’s soaking tubs offers diverse experiences and range from 90 to 103 degrees Fahrenheit.
Further saline soaking options include a cold plunge of 80 degrees, a pool kept at 96 degrees, and a hot tub that features natural mineral waters of 104 degrees.
Beyond the retreat’s soaking options, the SunWater Spa offers several treatments that engage the complex’s natural resources and wellness classes, including yoga, Tai Chi, and meditation.
2. Dakota Hot Springs (35.8 Miles)
The next closest hot springs near Colorado Springs is about a 45-minute drive south of the city, in the idyllic Arkansas River Valley.
The region in which the springs are found is famously known as the Banana Belt of Colorado and boasts an average of 350 days of sun a year, making a plunge into the Dakota Hot Springs a popular activity year-round.
Initially, an oil well, the Dakota Hot Springs mining operation was abandoned when water was struck at 2000 feet in 1924. Since then, the Dakota Hot Springs has become a popular destination thanks to its artesian spring-fed pools that boast therapeutic properties thanks to their high salts, soda, and calcium levels.
The Dakota Hot Springs features two mineral water pools, a large 70-foot swimming hole that averages 95 to 98 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, and a smaller 6-foot pool that maintains a much warmer 108 degrees.
While the hot spring facility is close enough to Colorado Springs to make for a great day trip, the complex does provide tent and RV campsites for guests that prefer to spend the night.
3. Desert Reef Hot Springs (40 Miles)
Also located within the Banana Belt of Colorado and only four miles from Dakota Hot Springs, the Desert Reef Hot Springs are a semi-private thermal pool resort complex and offers one of the most unique hot spring experiences in the state.
Like the Dakota Hot Springs, the Desert Reef Hot Springs started as an oil mine but was abandoned after striking the natural spring water. The water originates 1,096 feet below the earth’s surface and is a scorching 132 degrees from the source.
Luckily, the water is cooled before entering the facility’s swimming pool, which averages around 100 degrees in the winter and just below body temperature in the summer. Further soaking options include rentable private baths for a more isolated experience.
Also featured within the resort complex are a sun deck, a greenhouse lounge, an outdoor BBQ, and a communal kitchen space. In addition, visitors that wish to spend the night have an accommodation selection that includes tiny houses and traditional airstream rentals that complete the rustic desert springs ambiance.
4. Cottonwood Hot Springs (98.7 Miles)
Located slightly further from Colorado Springs, the Cottonwood Hot Springs is about a two-hour drive west of the city but provides a comfortable soak in a fully-developed hot spring resort complex. Historically listed by the Ute Indians, the Cottonwood Hot Springs continues to attract visitors from around the world thanks to its therapeutic waters.
Home to several natural spring-fed pools, the fully-developed hot spring resort offers full-service accommodation for enjoying the facility’s natural resources. The resort’s mineral pools offer diverse soaking experiences and range from 80 degrees to 106 degrees Fahrenheit.
For a cooler dip, visitors can instead submerge into one of the resort’s cold plunge mineral pools or into Cottonwood Creek itself.
Additional comforts within the extensive complex include a spa facility with various treatment packages, an onsite shopping center, and several accommodation options, including budget-friendly shared dorms, campsites, and sizeable private housing units.
5. Merrifield Homestead Cabins & Resort (99 Miles)
Situated just down the street from Cottonwood Hot Springs in the Gunnison National Forest, the Merrifield Homestead Cabins is one of the most exclusive private hot springs facilities in the state and provide visitors with a quiet setting in which to enjoy the region’s celebrated mineral waters.
The Merrifield Homestead Cabins operate out of two restored historic homes built in the 1800s and the 1920s. The Holloway and Merrifield Cabins maintain their traditional identities but have been completely modernized to provide a comfortable and luxurious stay in the idyllically mountainous countryside.
Along with providing a full-service stay, both of the cabins featured within the property boast their own private natural spring water-fed hot tubs that provide a soothing soak after a rigorous day of exploring the pristine, untouched wilderness that surrounds the complex.
While the facility features several onsite comfort amenities, the resort community of Buena Vista is also located only a ten-minute drive away and offers additional services and shopping centers.
6. Indian Hot Springs (99.8 Miles)
Despite being located about an hour and a half northwest of the city, the Indian Springs Resort is one of the most picturesque hot springs near Colorado Springs and is a must-visit when staying in the city.
The Indian Springs Resort features four unique spring options— a large hot spring pool that provides a shared swimming experience, several outdoor tubs that allow for enhanced privacy during your soak, a natural spring cave, and 11 indoor rooms for private rentals. The resort’s mineral pools are fed by natural mineral waters averaging 106 to 110 degrees.
For added levels of relaxation, the resort offers several specialty treatments at its extensive onsite spa facility. Featuring nine different massage packages, some of the facility’s most popular treatments include CBD massages, Full Body Massages, and the Buffalo Spirit Tension Tamer.
Beyond its eponymous hot springs and spa, the full-service resort also boasts a large dining lounge, a gift shop, outdoor activities, hiking trails, and even lodging options for guests that prefer to spend the night.
