FIVE HOT SPRINGS TO SOOTHE YOUR WINTER BLUES AWAY
5 hot springs to soothe your body this winter
As you ease into the earth-heated water, it’s hard not to feel like the mountains are giving you a close, cozy hug.
That’s what I thought as I slid into the hottest pool in the thermal caves at Indian Hot Springs. The water was 112 degrees Fahrenheit and I didn’t last long before climbing back out into the steamy, underground air.
After a few more dips, I retreated upstairs to the lush community pool to float and soak some more. Outside, it snowed and snowed and the traffic was thick on Interstate 70, but I had escaped, at least for a little while.
There’s no such thing as a bad hot spring in the winter, and Colorado is blessed with many options, near and far. There are a few that stand out as more accessible and unique and deserve mention. Here are my top five:
Indian Hot Springs, 302 Soda Creek Road, Idaho Springs. Hours: pool open 9 a.m.-10 p.m., caves 7:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m., private baths 7:45 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Cost: $20. http://www.indianhotsprings.com; 303-989-6666
Let’s start with the closest; you’ve driven by it a thousand times on I-70, but have you ever stopped at Indian Hot Springs? The pool is enclosed in a greenhouse dome and surrounded by a gorgeous tropical garden of exotic trees and flowers. The caves (gender-specific, clothing optional, additional $22-$24 per person) feature roughhewn walls and small, extremely hot baths (106-112 de-
Fahrenheit) that are intensely relaxing. If you schedule a massage in the spa upstairs, you get VIP access to the pool and caves included in the fee. Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, 15870 County Road 162, Nathrop (near Buena Vista). Hours: pool open 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Cost: $20-$25. mtprinceton.com; 719-3952447
A bit more off the beaten path, Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort is at the base of the mighty Collegiate range and has unparalleled mountain views as the steam rises around you from one of several outdoor soaking options. The upper pool and waterslide are closed in the winter, but the historic bathhouse, natural Chalk Creek pools, and spa remain open all year. The scenery is stunning and there are upscale cabins and rooms, as well as hot springs packages from which to choose.
Pagosa Springs, Springs Resort & Spa, 165 Hot Springs Blvd., Pagosa Springs. Hours: open 7 a.m.-midnight (24 hours for overnight resort guests). Cost: from $26/ adult. pagosahotsprings.com; 800-2250934
This is one of three options to soak in water bubbling up from the world’s deepest geothermal hot spring, all in the center of town along the San Juan River. Springs Resort & Spa has no less than 23 hot mineral pools on a slope along the river, including a bigger splash pool for the kids. It also has a range of on-site resort rooms and suites. The other two spots in town are the Overlook Hot Springs Spa and Healgrees ing Waters Resort & Spa.
Ouray, 1220 Main St., Ouray. Hours: pool open noon-9 p.m., on weekends 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Cost: $18. ouraycolorado.com/hotsprings; 970-325-7073
Ouray Hot Springs Pool & Fitness Center is showing off its recent multimillion-dollar makeover and renovation. It has a lap pool, large shallow areas and slides, and wonderful views of the surrounding canyon walls and peaks. The other local option is Orvis Hot Springs, located a few miles north of Ouray. Orvis is smaller, quieter and (mostly) clothing optional, with a designated smoking pool. Glenwood Springs, 415 East 6th St., Glenwood Springs. Hours: pool open 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Cost: $17.50-$23.50. hotspringspool.com, 970-947-2955
The state’s most wellknown, most mineral-rich, and most accessible hot spring is the giant steaming pool visible from I-70. This is Glenwood Hot Springs, also the world’s largest geothermal pool, located next to its iconic bathhouse building and highend spa. Down the block, descend into the Yampah Spa & Vapor Caves; it’s like walking into some medieval dungeon, but with hot, therapeutic, eucalyptusscented steam rising out of the rocky floor. Just downstream along the Colorado River, and also next to the highway, Iron Mountain Hot Springs has 16 soaking pools overlooking the Colorado River, as well as a café serving food, beer and wine; it also has a happening scene at night.