Relax And Rejuvenate At The Best Hot Springs Across America

Winter is here; it's time to put on your bathing suit and head outside! Yes, we're referencing the Northern Hemisphere, and no, we haven't lost our minds. All over the world, groundwater either comes into contact with magma bubbling near the ground or travels downward through cracks in the earth and reemerges toasty warm and full of valuable, therapeutic minerals. The water is now a hot spring, a natural hot tub whose temperature hovers around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Here are some hot springs to visit around the world.

Humans have joyfully soaked in these springs for thousands of years, reveling in their warmth and numerous therapeutic benefits. They're adored year-round, but many appreciate them most in the winter. This is because they bring back a bit of summer fun by allowing soakers to sit outside in their bathing suits and admire the snow or even the aurora borealis. We searched the country for the 10 best natural hot springs, from little pools on top of a mountain to grand resorts centered with spas and dozens of different pools. We took into account the quality of the water, the beauty of the surroundings, and traveler reviews. So, come on in — the water's perfect.

Let's assume someone told you that being barely clothed outdoors on a snowy wintery night could be one of the most relaxing, rejuvenating experiences of your life. You'd think they were setting you up for a joke. However, they might be telling you to plunge into Strawberry Hot Springs. These natural gems are a collection of boiling mineral springs located near Steamboat Springs, in the heart of the rural Rocky Mountain forest. Native Americans were well aware of their therapeutic benefits and soaked in them for centuries. 

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, settlers from Steamboat Springs turned the area into a resort bathhouse. Today, several pools are surrounded by rustic log cabins where you can stay, change, or feel rejuvenated with special water-based massage therapy. The main attraction, of course, remains the hot springs. The springs are arranged into pools of varying temperatures, separated by railings, steps, and stone walls. They range in temperature from about 101 to 108 degrees Fahrenheit, making them popular in the winter. 

If you live in the area and don't want to fly all the way to Aruba, this will do just fine. Many come for the magical experience of sitting in the heart of a snowy forest and watching clouds of steam rise toward the pristine night skies. Speaking of nighttime, that's when the resort becomes clothing-optional and adults-only, so plan accordingly. Once sufficiently warm, pruned, and inspired, the surrounding area is pure Colorado, offering world-class skiing, hiking, biking, rafting, and the charming downtown Steamboat Springs.

If you want to experience hot springs, you don't have to leave Colorado. Just visit Iron Mountain Hot Springs, an incredible compound of 32 pools nestled along the banks of the Colorado River. It offers every type of hot spring experience, including a cold spring. The pools and amenities are so extensive that Iron Mountain has received a Tripadvisor Traveler's Choice Award, a designation given only to the most highly rated spots.

Sixteen pools are traditional geothermal hot springs, while 11 pools in the WorldSprings section are modeled after hot springs from around the world, from Iceland's famous Blue Lagoon to Israel's Dead Sea. Each pool contains the same compound and minerals as its location, and signs convey to soakers detailed information and therapeutic benefits of each one. The walkways between the pools are heated, a true blessing in the winter, and two are ADA-compliant. A waterfall cascades into the large, family-friendly freshwater pool, which is heated at 93 degrees Fahrenheit. After soaking in 100-degree Fahrenheit-plus water, the 55-degree Fahrenheit plunge pool is a refreshing respite.

Through the haze of steam rising, soakers can enjoy incredible views of the Colorado River and the many mountains towering over it. They'll also enjoy two on-site cafés offering all varieties of food and drinks. Iron Mountain Hot Springs offers a lodge-style bathhouse with changing rooms, restrooms, showers, and a gift shop selling souvenirs and bathing supplies. After drying off, head to one of the over 1,500 rooms nearby, which range from cozy family-owned cabins to grand, historic hotels. Here's everything to know before swimming in the Blue Lagoon.

Conundrum Hot Springs offers far greater gifts to soakers. These include sweeping views of the Rockies and the sensation of piping hot water after a strenuous four-hour hike. The springs are certainly the most well-earned on this list, but they remain popular because the rewards are well worth it. The trailhead to the Conundrum Creek Trail begins about 20 minutes outside Aspen (Check out our best tips for planning a trip to Aspen).

It ascends about 8.4 miles and 2,800 feet to the springs. Bring along your best waterproof hiking boots to cross 16 creeks. Some have shaky wooden bridges, and you'll brave an especially steep, rocky section toward the end. Tough as it may be, you'll marvel at the surrounding views of pristine meadows, forests, and towering mountain peaks. Moose, elk, deer, and even the famous Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep will likely enhance the views. 

After four to five hours, the best cure for your aching muscles and blisters will be two pools of bubbling, mineral-rich springs at 11,200 feet in the air. As you soak in the 100-degree Fahrenheit water, you'll be treated to exceptional views of wildflower-strewn meadows and the iconic peaks of the Maroon Bells mountains. Some hike down after the experience, but many spend the night at one of 20 campsites in the area — you'll need a camping permit for that. Conundrum Hot Springs is not a resort; as such, there are no facilities, including toilets, running water, and food, so pack accordingly.

One of the most beloved hot springs in the world is the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, which, as its name indicates, is the most enchanting shade of deep, milky blue. There must be something about that color because deep in the mountainous forests of Utah, throngs of hikers brave rattlesnakes, bears, and mountain lions just for the chance to marinate in this creamy bubble bath.

The hike along the roughly 4.6-mile Fifth Water Hot Springs Trail is an enchanting journey through forested canyons next to a burbling creek. Just be mindful of nearby wildlife, and bring your bear spray. When you arrive at Fifth Water Springs, you'll immediately understand what all the fuss is about. It's as if God designed a five-star resort in the heart of the forest. Five rock pools, the color of artificial swimming pools, flow into one another through a series of tranquil waterfalls, which eventually turn into a forest stream. Each pool has a different temperature and a slightly different shade, so hop around until you find the perfect fit.

Like the Blue Lagoon, Fifth Water Spring is a popular attraction, and many travelers have complained of large crowds, particularly rowdy college groups. To enjoy the different pools freely and peacefully, visit on a weekday or consider arriving before sunrise or staying past sunset — the springs are open 24/7. Summer months are the most crowded. In winter, the springs look and feel enchanting next to the snowy forest, but the trail conditions can be dicey. Consider visiting during spring or autumn, when the cascade of opaline blue contrasts spellbindingly well with the surrounding fiery red forest.

All the hot springs on this list are great, but Mystic Hot Springs is the only one that's truly groovy. Back in the 90s, "Mystic" Mike Ginsberg was driving through southern Utah on his way from a Grateful Dead concert in Las Vegas. He got a flat tire near the current property and discovered it was for sale. Almost 30 years after he bought it, Mystic Mike transformed these hot springs into a quirky hippie paradise where you can sleep in converted school buses and watch concerts from a cast-iron bathtub.

As with the other hot springs on this list, Mystic Hot Springs is natural; however, its geothermal springs have been directed into five vintage cast-iron bathtubs. Head to the two concrete pools if you want a shower instead of a bath. There, you can stand under a heated waterfall that flows down from the bright red rock that wouldn't look out of place at nearby Bryce Canyon. From these warm, mineral-rich springs, you can enjoy fiery desert sunsets and likely see peacocks, ducks, geese, goats, llamas, and emus from the nearby farm. Mystic Mike also arranges free concerts. There may be nothing more groovy than soaking in a natural hot tub and looking out at the mountains while you enjoy the show.

Mystic's accommodations are almost as famous as its springs. Guests can stay in one of 15 cabins or in a series of converted school buses dotting the property. The buses all feature beds, electricity, electric heaters, trippy murals, and hippie art. For a truly far-out experience, you can stay on the bus Mystic Mike used to follow the Grateful Dead around the country. While here, you should take the breathtaking hike to Arizona Hot Springs.

There are no decked-out school buses at Travertine Hot Springs. In fact, there isn't much of anything at all besides hot springs and a sublime view of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. And honestly, what more do you need? Travertine Hot Springs is deep in the Sierra Nevada wilderness, roughly halfway between Yosemite and Lake Tahoe. It is a collection of over 10 geothermally heated pools surrounded by fascinating rock formations created by minerals from the springs. 

Like so many of the best hot springs, Travertine offers soakers a variety of temperature and size options. The hottest pools are on top, close to where the water emerges from the ground. The water cascades gracefully through a rock barrier into a slightly cooler middle tier, then into the comfortably warm lower pools. Nearby, a man-made bathtub hooks to some of the hottest water. These pools may vary in temperature and color, but what unites them is their jaw-dropping views of endless meadows culminating in towering mountains in the distance. 

Past visitors recommend visiting the springs, which are free and open 24/7, at sunrise or sunset, when you can bathe in warm water and warm colors. Many also love visiting at night, when the wild skies come alive with millions of twinkling stars. Soakers can camp under those stars at nearby campgrounds. However, like at Conundrum, pack your own supplies and make sure to take everything with you when you leave. The springs are also a short drive from Bridgeport, which is full of historic hotels. It's also known for Bodie State Historic Park, a well-preserved town from the California Gold Rush era. See our best tips for planning a trip to Lake Tahoe.

After the stark beauty of Travertine, we now swing back to the resort side of the hot springs pendulum. In the heart of the Napa Valley lies Calistoga, a charming old resort town that sits atop what scientists believe is the largest geothermal aquifer in the world. Combine the largest geothermal aquifer with one of the most prominent wine resort regions worldwide, and you will get a pretty fabulous concoction.

The many springs and geothermal geysers were first discovered around 8,000 years ago by the Wappo tribe, who called the region "the oven place." In the mid-19th century, developers began creating the first spas and resorts, drawing crowds to the hot springs, mud baths, and geyser explosions. Calistoga has become one of the premier spa destinations in the country. Calistoga Spa Hot Springs boasts four geothermal mineral pools and a cooler outdoor multi-lane lap pool overlooking the mountains. 

The mid-century saw Dr. Wilkinson's Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs offering three hot spring swimming pools and specializing in mud treatments. Indian Springs Calistoga is famous for its Mud Bath Ritual, Buddhist meditation pond, and Olympic-sized mineral pool from 1913. The handsome old Mount View Hotel & Spa in downtown Calistoga offers a mineral hot tub, heated pool, and numerous spa treatments like oxygen and mineral mud baths. Combine any of these treatments with excellent wine and a hot air balloon ride to truly feel like you're in the clouds.

The only thing that could improve the lush Oregon forest is a series of hot springs perched high above them. Umpqua Hot Springs lies deep in the misty evergreens of Umpqua National Forest. It is three terraced pools that overlook miles of forest canopy and the roaring North Umpqua River far below. The internet is full of visitors leaning pensively against the travertine ledge, immersed in steamy water and gazing at the Pacific Northwest paradise surrounding them.

Of course, that means word has gotten out, and the springs are often crowded. Some of these visitors soak nude, and in the evening, recreational drug use might occur. As with most overcrowded spots, the rule of thumb remains the same: Visit on a weekday, as early as possible, or during the off-season. Umpqua Hot Springs is mostly crowded in the summer. Many enjoy visiting in the winter when the springs feel extra toasty juxtaposed against a snowy forest, but the steep trail leading to the springs can sometimes be closed in the winter. If you visit on a rainy spring, choose the top pool, which is covered by a wooden shelter and is the hottest among them.

The Umpqua Springs bubble in the heart of the forest, and there isn't much for miles around. If you'd like to stay the night, Toketee Lake Campground offers 32 sites just 3 miles away. About 16 miles in another direction, Umpqua's Last Resort offers cabins, tiny homes, glamping tents, and spots for RVs. Umpqua means "dancing water"; as such, Umpqua's Last Resort also offers guests tours of the forest's many incredible waterfalls.

Winter is one of the most storied times to soak in a hot spring. The contrast between the piping-hot water and the piercing polar air is thrilling. Additionally, the steam rising over the snow seems mysterious and magical. But the trails to these sites often close or become impassable, especially in remote spots. This is not so at Burgdorf Hot Springs in rural Idaho, where guests snowmobile to the property from December to April. This exciting adventure sets the tone for the rustic and DIY experience that awaits.

The springs are deep in the mountains of Payette National Forest in rural Idaho, and guests can overlook forests, mountains, and meadows as they soak in different pools. The largest is a giant, 100-degree Fahrenheit pool that can fit up to 200 people. It is surrounded by three smaller covered pools. Burgdorf also offers a small, shallow pool for children, provided adults supervise them. A giant pipe above feeds the bathtub below. Overlooking the pool is a beautiful log cabin that houses changing rooms and is heated by a wood stove.

Anyone who wants to swim in the pools can reserve a two-hour day pass or stay in one of 15 on-site cabins for 24-hour pool access. The cabins are the definition of rustic charm, with a profound emphasis on "rustic." Cabins come with wood-burning stoves, firewood, basic furnishings, and beds. Guests need to bring bedding, cooking equipment, food, and water. Outhouses are a short walk away. It's a bit like summer camp (sometimes in the dead of winter), and guests love it.

We've discussed extraordinary landscapes surrounding hot springs throughout the country: mountains, deserts, forests, and rivers. Yet somehow, none quite achieve the ecstatic wonder of our final hot springs attraction: the aurora borealis. The Chena Hot Springs Resort is located just outside Fairbanks. It nestles in a part of rural Alaska known as the Aurora Oval due to its exceptional views of the Northern Lights.

The resort boasts a steamy outdoor spring where visitors can marvel at this exquisite light show nearly every night from late August until April. One could reasonably argue that this is the best spot to view the Northern Lights. You'll still be outside, right under the sky, but you're toasty warm. The resort posts a whiteboard with nightly aurora forecasts so visitors know when they should put on their bathing suits and run outside. However, the 440-acre resort and surrounding areas offer way more than just the lights. 

There are hot springs, which comprise several indoor and outdoor tubs, and an indoor family swimming pool. There's also an outdoor Rock Lake, a boulder-lined artificial lake with a sandy bottom that's handicap-accessible and limited to adults. Outside the resort, you have the best of Alaska at your fingertips. This means year-round dog sled rides, gold panning, flightseeing, and even quirky attractions like the Aurora Ice Museum, constructed with over 1,000 tons of ice and snow. Inside, enjoy ice sculptures, an ice bar, and an igloo. Right after the ice museum, if you're feeling a little chilly, you know exactly where to go.