Famously known as Mile High City, thanks to its exact distance above sea level, Denver is the most populous city in Colorado and one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States. It attracts visitors from around the world thanks to its rugged mountainous landscapes that boast a myriad of outdoor adventures for nature lovers and adrenaline junkies alike.
However, along with its more daring activities, including hiking and skiing, Denver is also a destination that boasts a serene setting for finding relaxation and tranquility in one of the state’s many hot springs. While no thermal pool is located within the city itself, many of the state’s top hot springs are all within a short drive from Denver.
These six hot springs near Denver, CO, are some of the best destinations for escaping the big city to unwind after engaging in the state’s more exertive activities. (Distance from Denver city center in brackets).
The 6 Top Hot Springs Near Denver
1. Eldorado Springs Pool (29 Miles)
While no hot springs operate within Denver itself, visitors won’t have to venture far out of the city to enjoy the state’s geothermal mineral waters. Located just outside the city limits, about 40 minutes from downtown, the Eldorado Springs is nestled along the South Boulder River and is a popular day retreat that has operated within the region since 1905.
At the time of its establishment, the Eldorado Springs Pool was said to be the largest swimming pool in the country. While that record has since been broken, visitors to the region can still swim in the same extensive complex once enjoyed by early visitors over a century ago.
Sourced from an artesian spring near the Continental Divide, the natural mineral water flows east under Eldorado Springs in an aquifer about 8,000 feet below the earth’s surface.
By the time the water works its way into the Eldorado Springs pool, it averages 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit for a comfortable soak.
2. Indian Hot Springs (33 Miles)
Also found just outside of Denver’s city limits, the Indian Springs Resort is about 40 minutes from downtown and is one of the most extensive hot spring complex’s in the state. The facility is popular amongst locals and international tourists thanks to its myriad of onsite amenities and naturally designed swimming areas.
The Indian Spring Resort features several soaking options within its complex, each fed through an underground aquifer from a natural spring source. The resort’s main pool is a large public swimming hole with plenty of foliage for a natural feel, while private indoor and outdoor tubs allow for a more personal soak.
Also available on-site is a cave pool for an enhanced natural setting and a more primitive ambiance. All the pools at the Indian Springs Resort feature the spring’s natural mineral waters and maintain temperatures that average between 106- and 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
For enhanced relaxation, the resort also features an onsite spa that uses mineral waters in a diverse catalog of treatments. The resort also features a large dining lounge, a gift shop, several lodging options, and even outdoor adventures and hiking trails.
3. SunWater Spa (76 Miles)
Located slightly further from the city, the SunWater Spa engages the natural mineral water of its hot spring to provide a calming retreat nestled in the resort community of Manitou, just over an hour south of Denver. While not as accessible as the previous hot springs on this list, the SunWater Spa is a fantastic day-trip retreat for escaping the hustle and bustle of the city.
The extensive spa complex features seven outdoor cedar mineral tubs fed by the 7 Minute Spring that famously flows through Manitou’s karst aquifer. While each of the facility’s thermal pools offers a tranquil setting for soaking in the mineral water, they also boast varying experiences with temperatures ranging from 90 to 103 degrees.
Additionally, the SunWater Spa also features three saline soaking options; a cold plunge at 80 degrees, a pool at 96 degrees, and a hot tub at 104 degrees.
Other services within the resort include a therapeutic spa that offers several treatments and wellness classes, including yoga, Tai Chi, and meditation.
4. Hot Sulphur Springs Resort (97 Miles)
The Hot Sulphur Springs Resort is another full-service resort complex with a hot spring near Denver. It offers a fantastic soaking experience two hours from the city, surrounded by the pristine natural environments of northern Colorado. Situated in the small mountain community of Hot Sulphur Springs, the resort complex is enhanced by the untouched natural wonders of Grand County.
The Hot Sulphur Springs Resort boasts 15 man-made mineral pools, most of which are found outdoors, highlighting the serene natural landscapes and mountainous vistas. These thermal pools range in temperature from 98 to 112 degrees Fahrenheit. For a cooler soaking experience, the resort also offers an indoor pool with ample recreational swimming space.
All the pools in the hot Sulphur Springs Resort are filled with 100% natural spring water and feature high quantities of calcium, chloride, fluoride, magnesium, potassium, sodium, sulfate, iron, and zinc.
Known for its therapeutic properties, the resort also features its natural waters in several treatments offered at its onsite spa.
5. Desert Reef Hot Spring (111 Miles)
Situated slightly further from the city, the Desert Reef Hot Springs requires just under a two-hour drive to reach but is located in the Banana Belt of Colorado and promises an average of 350 days of sunlight throughout the year.
The Desert Reef Hot Spring was founded initially as an oil mine in the early 20th century but was abandoned in 1924 when a natural mineral spring was struck instead. Today visitors enjoy the natural mineral waters in the facility’s pool, fed from the spring 1,096 feet below the earth’s surface.
From the source, the spring water averages a scorching 132 degrees. Luckily, the water reaches a more comfortable temperature by the time it reaches the Desert Reef Hot Springs.
The pool is maintained around 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, while in the summer, it is kept just below body temperature.
6. Radium Hot Springs (125 Miles)
While the Radium Hot Springs require over two hours of driving to reach the city, they also provide one of the most pristine primitive thermal pool experiences in the state. Upon reaching the trailhead, visitors need to engage in a further journey along a short hiking trail or kayak along the nearby Colorado River, which passes by the spring.
The Radium Springs’s idyllic location along the Colorado River results in a comfortable soaking experience as the river’s cool waters splash over into the thermal pool to average soaking temperatures of 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Unfortunately, the proximity of the spring to the river also means the thermal pool can often become flooded when the water levels rise in the spring. As a result, the best time to visit the thermal pool is between mid-summer and winter.
