Two Colorado Hot Springs Worth the Drive from Denver

While Colorado may be known as the “Rocky Mountain State,” famous for skiing, hiking, and mountain biking, it is also a leading hot spring state. Colorado has 93 hot springs or mineral baths to soak in.

Two hot springs I frequent more when driving around the state are the Springs Resort and Spa in Pagosa Springs, CO, and Iron Mountain Hot Springs in Glenwood Springs, CO.

The different reasons I visit each are due to their location. Iron Mountain is located three hours from Denver. This drive time makes it an ideal weekend getaway. It is a perfect overnight stop “to take to the waters” when you are driving to Moab, UT (Arches and Canyonlands National Parks) because it is halfway from Denver.

The Springs Resort and Spa at Pagosa Springs is a five-hour drive from Denver. It is a good place to soak when exploring southwest Colorado, which includes Durango, Mesa Verde, Telluride, and Ouray.

The Springs Resort, Pagosa Springs

The Springs Resort and Spa is in the town of Pagosa Springs. It’s a five-hour drive from Denver. The road takes you through pretty valleys and over mountain passes two miles high. On the way, there will be a few old Colorado towns worth a stop for breakfast or a stroll. (Tip: Stop at Almost Flowers and More in Del Norte for their must-have Amish-made hand-fried fruit pies)

The Mother Spring

The location of The Springs Resort and Spa is where “the Mother Spring” is located. The Mother Spring is the world’s deepest geothermal hot spring, with water coming out of the ground at 140F. From this spring, water is piped to other pools and used to heat the lodge and nearby areas. Pagosa Springs was used for centuries by the Native tribes of the area.

White settlers took to the springs quickly, and the first bathhouse was built in 1881. As reported on November 19th, 1890, “The cures reported by those who have been afflicted are wonderful. Rheumatism, stomach trouble, kidney disease permanently relieved by the use of the water without the aid of a doctor.”

Today, the hotel states that “the springs and its 13 minerals promote healthy skin, lower blood pressure, strengthen bones and muscles, and increase energy and more.” I can attest that after my soaking here a day and a half I was feeling pretty good with the most relaxed muscles I have had in months.

45 Pools Above the San Juan River

The Springs Resort sits scenically above the San Juan River. Here you will find their mountain lodge, new hotel, and 45 little pools. Some pools are closer to the river than others. The pools are spaced comfortably apart with signs telling you the temperature.

There is a heated swimming pool called the Blue Lagoon to float or do laps. Near the new spa section are 14 wellness pools and a mini sauna. Overnight guests have access to all the pools 24 hours. There are two 18+ sections.

Soaking Tips and a Cold River Plunge

During our time there, we followed the resort’s soaking guide by starting at the 99F pool. I was able to work my way to 105F while other guests seemed to be able to stand the heat in the “lobster pond” at 110F. A unique feature here is the ability to walk down to the San Juan River and take a cold river plunge. If the river is not running too high, you can sit in a calm shallow area where the warm waters mix with the cool river.

During one late-fall visit, we used their 24-hour soak policy to scamper out quickly in the cold night air in our bathrobes (that are included) and then ease into a 104F pool. We had a brilliant night sky above and the place nearly to ourselves. Overnight guests can start soaking when they arrive and enjoy the place after check-out time. No one rushes you here.

Forest Bathing and the Gratitude Ceremony

Guests are entitled to take any of the nine wellness activities. These can include yoga, stretching, and aqua sound bathing to name a few. We chose to stay dry with the morning Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing.” This is actually an 80-minute hike in the forest to teach you how to be in tune with the sounds and smells of the forest.

Each day the resort hosts a 15-minute “Gratitude Ceremony” at the Mother Spring. This is a quiet event where guests learn about the Mother Spring’s history and are asked to reflect upon what we are grateful for.

Rooms, Dining and Poolside Service

Guest rooms come with a Sleep Ritual Tray featuring all of the essentials for a restorative deep sleep experience, including eye shades, scents, earplugs, and a Deep Sleep Guide. Guests at Springs Resort are treated well. Their front desk staff always greet you with a smile and will exchange wet towels and robes anytime.

With the new hotel added, there is a full-service restaurant and bar. On property at the pools is a café serving breakfast, lunch, or snacks. Servers come around to take orders for food, cocktails, mocktails, and energy tonics delivered poolside.

For complete information on the hot springs’ mineral content, activities, and lodging, go here.

Where to Eat in Pagosa Springs

Chavolos, just five miles west of Springs Resort, was recommended by staff and local soakers. This is very good Mexican food. We shared freshly made guacamole with house-made chips, a single order of parrillada (think prepared fajita), a 16-ounce margarita with freshly squeezed lime juice, and a Mexican Coke for $75.

Meander River Side upscale restaurant is a mile away. It has been named a top 50 by the New York Times. They offer an eclectic seasonal menu. Their craft cocktail menu is impressive. Dinner with craft cocktails for two was $175.

The Pagosa Baking Company is a 10-minute walk across the bridge. They offer pastries, quiches, breakfast burritos, sandwiches, and wraps to go.

Iron Mountain Hot Springs, Glenwood Springs

Iron Mountain Hot Springs is idyllically situated above the Colorado River. It has great views of the Roaring Fork Valley and nearby mountains. The property is almost split in half. On one side, there are the 16 original geothermal soaking pools nicely arranged. There is also a 100,000-gallon family pool kept at a comfortable 94F.

The World Springs Pools

In 2023, the adults-only “World Springs Pools” section was added. This addition includes 11 pools that replicate the minerals of some of the world’s leading hot springs. An example is their Blue Lagoon, in which the water content from that famous pool in Iceland is duplicated here. The new section also has a nice-vibed narrow infinity pool to enjoy drinks and views of the river below.

The soaking pools at Iron Mountain range from 99F to 108F degrees and are said to contain 14 “health-boosting” minerals to help you relax and make your skin feel good. The pools are regularly checked and marked with their temperatures. They also have cold plunges and a jetted spa.

Saunas, The Meadow and Other New Additions

Updates in 2025 include their Sauna Summit featuring five unique outdoor saunas. The Meadow is a quiet new area of Iron Mountain with extra seating. It is there to encourage you to tune out and enjoy your surroundings after a soak.

Other improvements include a $15 upgrade to stay five hours versus the reserved three hours. EZ bracelets now make it easy to charge food and drinks, leaving your wallet safe in the lockers. Robe rentals are available for $15, and locals from the three nearby counties get a 50% discount.

Poolside Food and Sunset Soaks

On property, you can buy pre-mixed cocktails, craft beers, an assortment of non-alcoholic beverages, as well as food. They specialize in flatbread pizza. Watching the sunset behind the mountains while soaking in these soothing waters is a perfect way to end a day.

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

Glenwood Springs’ other leading attraction is its Glenwood Caverns Amusement Park above town. It claims to be America’s only mountaintop amusement park sitting at 7,160 feet. Getting to the top is part of the fun on the five-minute gondola ride. When in the park, you get to go on a dozen different rides, including two hang-over-the-mountain rides. There are also four different cave tours offered.

Where to Stay in Glenwood Springs

I have enjoyed the old-world charm of the Colorado Hotel in previous visits. Built in 1893, it is styled as a replica of the Villa de Medici in Rome. It has hosted two presidents and many celebrities over the years. We found the rooms large and the halls worth walking around. There is a courtyard with fire pits, making for a pleasant evening. The Colorado Hotel offers an Iron Mountain ticket package. For those looking at other lodgings, there are plenty of familiar-named, mostly 3-star-type hotels nearby.

Doc Holliday’s Grave at Linwood Cemetery

After your drive to Glenwood Springs, to stretch your legs, I recommend taking the several-minute walk uphill to Linwood Cemetery. Look for the tombstone of Doc Holliday, famous for the OK Corral gunfight. He died in Glenwood Springs, sickly and penniless. People leave playing cards, bullets, and coins here. Kit Curry of Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch gang is also buried here.

Where to Eat in Glenwood Springs

Smoke on Grand Avenue is exactly as you would expect of a good BBQ place. Prices are reasonable, and the craft cocktails are well made. A shared appetizer and a shared three-meat combo plate were enough to feed two of us.

For additional information on other hot springs, Colorado offers a “Hot Springs Loop” featuring 23 places to soak.

For more, read Hot Springs, High Trails and Hidden Caves: Glenwood Springs Is Colorado’s Most Rewarding Mountain Getaway.

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Author Bio: After 30 years in the business world, Tab Hauser reinvented himself as a journalist and professional photographer. His travels have taken him to seven continents and 100 countries or unique locations. He is an Explorers Club Friend, a member of the New York Press Association, a diver, and a U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Captain. This native New Yorker now calls Colorado home. Follow on Facebook.

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