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North Carolina is known for its scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, charming small towns, and rich history, but few visitors realize it’s also home to one of the only natural hot springs in the eastern United States. While geothermal pools are common in the American West, they are a rarity east of the Mississippi—making Hot Springs, North Carolina, a one-of-a-kind destination for travelers seeking a relaxing thermal soak in the heart of the Appalachians.
Tucked along the banks of the French Broad River, this historic mineral spring has been drawing visitors for centuries, from early Indigenous peoples who revered its healing waters to 19th-century travelers seeking therapeutic relief. Today, it remains a peaceful retreat for those looking to unwind in warm, mineral-rich waters while surrounded by breathtaking mountain landscapes.
North Carolina offers a unique geothermal escape that blends natural beauty, history, and relaxation. Here’s everything you need to know about where to find the best North Carolina hot springs.
Are there hot springs in North Carolina?
Yes, but just one natural hot spring exists in North Carolina, located in the town of Hot Springs, NC. Unlike the geothermal-rich regions of the western United States, hot springs are rare in the East. The mineral-rich waters here maintain an average temperature of about 106°F, offering a soothing and therapeutic soaking experience.
The hot spring itself is found at Hot Springs Resort & Spa, where visitors can soak in private outdoor tubs filled with mineral-rich water sourced directly from the spring. Additionally, Broadwing Farm Cabins provides another way to experience these geothermal waters, drawing from the same underground aquifer that feeds the hot spring. Both locations allow visitors to immerse themselves in North Carolina’s only naturally heated mineral waters, making Hot Springs, NC, a truly unique destination in the region.
North Carolina Hot Springs Map
The History of Hot Springs in North Carolina
The town of Hot Springs, North Carolina, takes its name from the state’s only natural hot spring, a thermal mineral pool tucked deep within Pisgah National Forest. While European settlers first documented the springs in 1778, their healing waters had long been revered by Indigenous peoples, who considered them a sacred source of rejuvenation.
Following its discovery by settlers, a small outpost was established near the springs, eventually growing into the community of Hot Springs that remains today. By the 19th century, the site had transformed into a thriving health retreat, attracting visitors seeking relief from ailments in its steaming, mineral-rich waters. Grand hotels and bathhouses were built to accommodate travelers, cementing its status as a premier wellness destination in the eastern United States.
More than two centuries later, visitors continue to soak in these historic waters, embracing the same therapeutic experience that generations before them once cherished.
Hot Springs feature average water temperatures of about 106 degrees Fahrenheit.
Broadwing Farm Cabins
Broadwing Farm Cabins offers a private soaking experience using the same underground aquifer that feeds North Carolina’s only natural hot spring. Located just outside the town of Hot Springs, NC, these cabins provide a quiet and comfortable stay with direct access to mineral-rich waters.
Each of the farm’s three cabins includes a private outdoor hot tub, where fresh spring water flows in at 85°F and can be heated up to 104°F. The cabins are surrounded by forests and mountain views, creating a peaceful setting to relax after a day of exploring the area.
Broadwing Farm also features open spaces, organic gardens, and easy access to local trails, making it a great choice for those looking to enjoy nature and hot spring soaking in a private environment.
Hot Springs Resort & Spa
Opened the same year that the hot spring was discovered, the Hot Springs Resort & Spa has been a popular destination for visitors to soak in the natural healing waters for over two centuries.
Occupying 100 acres of pristine countryside in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, the Hot Springs Resort offers visitors several ways to engage with the natural water supply while taking in views of the French Broad River and surrounding forests. Visitors can also explore scenic hiking trails, river activities, and peaceful picnic spots.
Offering several onsite accommodation options, visitors to the resort will engage their surroundings along several hiking trails before retreating to the facility’s eponymous hot spring baths, where they can soothe their well-worn muscles.
For an even more enhanced relaxation experience bathed in tranquility, the resort offers several treatments at their full-service spa, all of which take advantage of the mineral water’s healing properties.
