These Are The Most Dangerous Hot Springs In The World

Hot springs are one of those wonders of nature that are hard to forget once viewed. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some are iridescent smudges on the landscape, steaming pools of milk-white water that gaze into infinity with a cataract gaze. Others are simple rock pools filled with bathing-temperature water, frequented by wildlife, or co-opted into the tourist industry. These places have soothed the aches and pains of weary travelers for millennia. Then, there are the hyperactive, showstopping look-at-me geysers that throw steam and poisons into the air with or without warning.

The spectacle of hot springs – often groundwater heated by magma below — naturally draws crowds. In some cases, people gather to view an actual eruption. In others, the kaleidoscope of colors formed by thermophilic microorganisms within offers an irresistible Instagram moment. Such beauty, however, comes with a cost, and, at times, the price can be high. While it is true that some hot springs are cool enough to bathe in, it's also a fact that many are not. The waters of some can cause third-degree burns in mere seconds, and others are as acidic as car battery fluid. And then there's the bacteria, much of it at home in warmer waters – everything from Legionnaires' disease to Brucella has shown up in hot springs.

While every measure is taken to ensure the safety of people gathering to visit such natural wonders, all it takes is for one tourist to ignore the warning signs. They might step over a clearly marked demarcation and roll dice with one of nature's most volatile creations. When this happens, inevitably, and without a preamble, disaster invariably strikes. 

Wyoming is a state that instantly conjures images of rolling plains, sprawling national parks, abundant wildlife, and diverse cultural history. It's littered with fossil-strewn beaches, unexplored coves, and attractions for outdoor-loving couples. It is also home to no fewer than seven national parks; Yellowstone Park is by far the most famous. It was established in 1872, making it the world's first national park. Yellowstone consists of 2.2 million acres of unspoiled wilderness and is located on top of a still-active supervolcano.

The geothermic energy locked beneath the seemingly tranquil plains of Yellowstone is one of its biggest draws. Around 60% of the world's geysers are located within the park. During the summer months, tourists flock to see genuine wonders of the natural world, such as Old Faithful, one of six eruptions Park Rangers predict with some precision. Of course, so much activity brings a certain amount of danger, and some areas carry more jeopardy than others.

Blue Star Spring is situated close to the aforementioned Old Faithful. It is somewhat star-shaped, hence its name. Although it rarely erupts – the last recorded eruption was in 2002 -– it emits 1- to 2-foot high splashes when it does. Said sprays measure an average temperature of 190.7 Fahrenheit, and for that reason alone, tourists view the spring from a walkway set well back from the rim. Sadly, such safety precautions haven't always been sufficient to prevent tragedy. In September 2024, a 60-year-old woman from New Hampshire, walking close to the site, stepped on fragile ground, plunging her leg into the near-boiling water below.

Iceland's habitable landmass is only about 39,000 square miles and sports a population of nearly 400,000. It is the most geothermically active country on the planet. As such, we recommend reviewing our Icelandic travel hacks before visiting. The northeast of the isle is dominated by the Hverir Geothermal Area, a region of outstanding natural beauty, albeit a harsh one. Mountain backdrops littered with steam vents and pools of bubbling water laced with streaks of technicolor minerals dominate the landscape, giving it an oftentimes otherworldly look. 

Spitting pools of hot mud, calm springs cool enough to bathe in, and rivers of boiling water lurk around every corner. Signage is sometimes limited, and self-driven tours are the norm – those who wander off the beaten track without an expert guide risk encountering hidden dangers. And there are plenty of those. The water in some springs reaches an insane 392 degrees Fahrenheit, and mud pits and patches of sludge at boiling temperature are not unheard of.

Fumaroles spit out plumes of hydrogen sulfide. The rotten egg smell creates an esprit de corps of wandering commiseration in sufficient quantities, and the highly toxic gas can lead to respiratory depression. While there are no recorded fatalities in the region, it is safe to say that wild, unsupervised nature trips to the fields can present jeopardy of all sorts. Guided tours are available, and by staying on the ring road, you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

It's no secret that Naples is an ideal destination for history buffs. It is the birthplace of pizza and sports boulevards that teem with Baroque marvels. The city of Parthenope is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and second only to Vienna when it comes to the opera. Oh, and it sits in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius — the most infamous volcano in the world, which erupted violently in AD 79. It all but buried the now-difficult-to-visit city of Pompei in a cloud of superheated ash. While Vesuvius hasn't erupted since 1944, all that geothermic energy brings with it several hot springs for miles around — some sit in an active volcanic crater and are incredibly dangerous.

Just about an hour away, Solfatara — or Forum Vulcani as the Romans called it — within Campi Flegrei sits just west of Naples, close to the stunning Porto di Pozzuoli. It's a field of bubbling springs and smoking fumaroles sprinkled with the occasional geysers and highly acidic hot springs. The ground is unpredictable, and in many places, the crust is too fragile to walk upon. In 2017, a boy wandered into a prohibited zone and quickly succumbed to the toxic fumes pouring out of a nearby vent. His parents panicked and sent their youngest son to get help while they attempted a rescue, but the crater collapsed as they made their way over, and sadly, all three died. Solfatara has been permanently closed since the accident. 

New Zealand sits atop the intersection of two tectonic plates: the Pacific and the Indo-Australian. Combined, these two areas of seismic activity form part of the much larger Ring of Fire, a region known for its frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. It's unsurprising, then, that it is a hotspot of geothermal activity. From the Lost Springs of Whitianga to the mighty geysers of the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley and the legitimate terror of the White Island Volcano, New Zealand is where the sheer power of the Earth's fiery core is on display for all to see.

The city of Rotorua lies around 50 miles northeast of the Taupō Caldera, an active volcano responsible for the largest eruption in human history, some 26,000 years ago. A center of Māori culture, the land surrounding Rotorua is essentially one large geothermal park filled with native fauna, bubbling pools of mud, and gushing geysers. Safety is a priority in the park, and away from the luxury spas, hotels, and themed leisure parks, guided tours are the norm. Even so, injuries and deaths still occur.

In 2014, authorities warned the public about the inherent dangers after a woman was found dead at the bottom of a thermal pool in Tauranga, a coastal town just north of the park. Just one month earlier, a 75-year-old man was found dead in a Rotorua motel's thermal pool, marking the park's third fatality since 2007. In 2019, a couple risked their lives posing for a photo, ignoring warning signs and exposing themselves to searing hot, acidic water, dangerous bacteria, and the possibility of death by hydrogen sulfide poisoning.

California has more National Parks than any other state. In terms of geothermal activity, the Lassen Volcanic National Park, found in northeastern California, reigns supreme. Still, there are other parts of the state where you can discover the odd, naturally heated pool. Miracle Hot Spring is one such location. Found amid the Sequoia National Forest, which borders the national park of the same name, this popular site of new-age healing has a long and checkered history. 

It was previously known as Compressor Hot Springs because it was once used to power nearby mineshafts. A community of Hobos began using it as a bathhouse sometime around the turn of the century, prompting a name change. However, shortly after the conclusion of WWII, its miraculous healing properties lent it the moniker it still uses today. The popularity of the spot, however, was the architect of its downfall. 

In 2022, officials dismantled the makeshift tubs that dotted the region after a body was found floating in the hot spring. Just 18 months later, another body was discovered, and the hot springs were closed indefinitely. Activists pushed back, acknowledging in a Facebook post that Miracle Springs presented inherent dangers. They asserted that "Individuals assess and assume risk in every aspect of daily living, from walking across a room to engaging in recreational activities. The possibility of injury or death in a natural setting does not justify the wholesale closure of public lands."

Chile is one of those places where you wouldn't expect to find active volcanoes, but, in truth, the ring of fire stretches to the Americas. Situated in the Andes Mountains in the north of the country, close to the border with Bolivia but still well south of the woefully underrated Copacabana, lies the El Taito field of geysers. At an elevation of 14,173 feet above sea level, its mountainous backdrop and arid fields provide a spectacle that has enthralled onlookers through time immemorial.

The geysers are most active in the morning, and eruptions exceeding 30 feet high are not unheard of. The water reaches a near-boiling 185 degrees Fahrenheit, but thermal baths are safe and possible in certain supervised areas. Sunrise tours are the norm, with buses leaving the nearby town of San Pedro de Atacama around 4:30 am. The journey through the scenic hills only takes an hour and a half, but the extreme elevation means precautions need to be taken before even setting off. A light breakfast is necessary, as is the need to wrap up warmly. Even in the summer, temperatures hover around 21 degrees Fahrenheit; however, that plummets to -4 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter. 

The inherent dangers of visiting this remote, highly volatile region mean that refusing to heed the advice of local guides can have fatal consequences. In 2015, Francoise Guillaume, a 68-year-old Belgian woman, learned this the hard way. She slipped and fell into an active geyser while taking a selfie. She suffered burns to over 80% of her body; her husband managed to drag her out of the pool, severely scalding his arms in the process. Guillaume succumbed to her injuries the following morning.

South of Rotorua sits the curiously named Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. It is a rugged landscape sculpted by geothermal activity and dotted with iridescent lakes, bubbling mud pits, and breathtaking geysers. Highlights of the park include the suitably named Inferno Crater, the ominous-sounding Devil's Ink Pots, and, close to the center, the most photographed feature in the park: the truly magnificent Champagne Pool.

This steaming lake bursts with color. Its outer ring consists of a silica terrace of yellow phosphorus, which contrasts with a vivid inner ring of earth-red iron deposits and the swirling viridian waters. A constant stream of carbon dioxide ensures the surface is always bubbling, a feature that gave the pool its name in the first place. The water maintains a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The ground around the pool is so fragile that visitors must always keep to designated walkways.

Wai-O-Tapu is certainly a safe place for those who follow instructions. Inevitably, however, some risk their lives playing with Mother Nature in locations just outside of the park. The Hot 'n' Cold Springs lies a few miles northwest, deriving their name from an area where hot thermal waters intersect with a cold-water stream. In 2020, a sawmill worker, Brad Scrivener, was wading through the pool when the bottom fell beneath him, plunging his leg into searing hot water. Just four years later, a man was found dead floating in one of the pools close to a sign that indicated that bathing was not permitted.

It is effortless to enjoy Yellowstone National Park on a budget. One of the reasons stems from the wealth of natural phenomena on display in any given season. Winter visitors can enjoy fine skiing, watch wildlife year-round, and go horse riding and picnicking. Additionally, there is much to explore in terms of geothermal phenomena, and the over 3 million annual visitors to the park agree. 

Porkchop Geyser is, if anything, even more dangerous than Blue Star Spring. Sandwiched between other more famous attractions such as the Medusa Spring, Steamboat Geyser, and Yellow Mud Pool, Porkchop Spring hasn't erupted since 1989. Preceding the eruption, a column of water higher than 30 feet launched itself into the air rapidly. An explosion followed that threw 3-foot diameter rocks a full 200 feet from the epicenter. Fortunately, nobody was injured that day.

Injuries and deaths have, however, occurred at the site. In 2016, a man slipped and fell while walking close to the spring in an undesignated area with his sister. With water temperatures in excess of 200 degrees Fahrenheit, rescuers were unable to recover his remains. He marks the 22nd person to meet such a fate at the hands of Yellowstone's deadly thermal vents since 1890.

Santa Ana Volcano — or Ilamatepec to give it its more historical name — sits nearly 40 miles from El Salvador's capital city of San Salvador. It is the tallest volcano in the country and one of the most active, as it has erupted dozens of times since records began in 1520. Visitors approaching from the west pass by the country's famous hot waterfalls at El Salto de Malacatiupán. Those from the east take a trail that winds through mostly unspoiled and stunning tropical forests. 

The hike to the volcano is littered with fumaroles and takes nearly three hours to complete. However, those who manage the 1,526-foot climb are greeted with one of the most iconic sights of the Americas: the swirling turquoise waters of its steaming caldera. Visitors making the trek must do so with an authorized guide, and walking right up to the edge of the hot spring is forbidden. The ground is unstable — the water scalds hot and acidic, and a cocktail of gasses makes the air quite deadly.

Santa Ana has erupted twice in 2005, once in June and again in October. During the latter eruption — which discharged ash 50,000 feet into the air — two farmers were killed when boiling water and chunks of earth poured down the side of the mountain. Large rocks were thrown as much as a mile from the epicenter, and three nearby communities had to be evacuated. The volcano is still active, and another eruption could occur at any time, so those visiting the site do so at their own risk.

Beppu City might not be on our list of unmissable places to visit in the island nation of Japan. However, when it comes to hot springs — or onsen as the Japanese call them — the place is most assuredly world-class. Located on the southern island of Kyushu, between Beppu Bay and a series of volcanic mountains, the city is home to nearly 3,000 hot springs and has been used as a spa resort since the 19^th century. 

Present are the Seven Hells of Beppu — or Jigoku as they are known — that are set up for viewing as opposed to bathing. Each pool has a different hue and comes replete with equally colorful names such as the Chinoike Jigoku, Bloody Hell Pond, and the less intimidating Shiraike Jigoku, the White Hell Pond. Temperatures in these pools can reach as high as 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Although safety precautions have ensured that nobody has succumbed to the scalding waters in recent times, the dark history of Beppu's Hells makes them the deadliest location on this list. The first documentation of the Bloody Hell Pond, best described as a pool of red-hot mud, dates back as far as 700 CE when its striking appearance convinced Buddhist monks it was a gateway to hell. It was used during less enlightened times as an instrument of torture and a particularly gruesome form of execution. Today, its mineral-soaked mud finds its way into cosmetic products designed to combat acne.