Few travel experiences feel as grounding and restorative as slipping into a steaming natural hot spring after a day of hiking, sightseeing, or just taking an all-too-rare break from our chronically online lives.
While the science behind mineral-rich waters is still evolving, soaking in naturally heated springs has long been associated with easing sore muscles, reducing stress, and encouraging relaxation. As I see it, that last claim alone is reason enough to book the whole trip.
I’ve had the chance to experience some remarkable hot springs resorts myself, and there are plenty more on my must-visit list around the country. Here are five of the best.
In this article
Castle Hot Springs, Arizona
My favorite hot springs resort I’ve ever visited is Castle Hot Springs, hidden in Arizona’s Bradshaw Mountains, about an hour north of Phoenix (bring a truck or SUV for the dirt-road stretch). Originally opened in the late 1800s, the retreat welcomed industrialists, politicians, and celebrities seeking the healing properties of its mineral-rich waters. (I'm someone who loves Gilded Age lore, so that history very much adds to the appeal.)
These days, the adults-only resort blends all that history with polished modern luxury, offering impeccably designed bungalows, cabins, and Sky View Cabins alongside an acclaimed farm-to-table culinary program (the farm is literally in view of the restaurant) that operates on a luxe all-inclusive model. The geothermal springs are still the centerpiece, with several picturesque soaking pools in the hills above the bungalows naturally fed by the surrounding mountains.
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, Colorado
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort has welcomed visitors since 1888. The historic property is built around the mineral-rich waters of Yampah Spring, which the Ute people revered for their restorative qualities long before the resort existed.
Now it’s home to the world’s largest hot springs pool, along with additional therapy and family pools fed by naturally geothermal water. Guests can soak while taking in views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains or extend the experience with an overnight stay at the resort’s lodge.
I only got to glimpse this sprawling property on my quick overnight visit through town on the sightseeing train Canyon Spirit, but it's firmly on my list to return for a wellness weekend.
Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado
The deeply evocative Dunton Hot Springs is a meticulously restored 19th-century ghost town tucked into the San Juan Mountains. The luxury retreat features restored log cabins surrounding natural geothermal springs, for a vibe that feels both rustic and indulgent.
Guests can rotate between several soaking experiences, including an outdoor pool overlooking the mountains, an intimate indoor bathhouse, and even a spring-fed source beside the river.
Activities range from fly fishing and horseback riding to hiking and skiing, depending on the season, for tons to do between soaks. It’s the kind of place where history, adventure, and wellness come together.
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, New Mexico
Ojo Caliente has been welcoming travelers to its mineral-rich waters since 1868, making it one of the country’s oldest natural health destinations. The resort’s geothermal pools feature several different naturally occurring minerals, including iron, soda, arsenic, and lithium, so you can choose a soak tailored to the mineral profile you’re after.
Adobe-style accommodations, peaceful gardens, and a full-service spa all reinforce the property’s relaxed Southwestern vibe. Beyond the pools, check out yoga classes, hiking trails, art programming, and locally inspired dining.
Esalen Institute Baths, Big Sur, California
Perched dramatically on the cliffs of Big Sur, the legendary hot springs at the Esalen Institute offer one of the country's most iconic soaking experiences. Fed by geothermal mineral waters revered for more than 6,000 years by the Esselen people, the open-air baths overlook the crashing Pacific, creating a setting that combines a spa, a sanctuary, and a natural wonder.
The current cliffside baths, designed by renowned Big Sur architect Mickey Muennig (after the originals were destroyed in the '90s by El Niño storms), feature floor-to-ceiling windows and stone tubs that seem to hover between sea and sky. Over the decades, everyone from Hunter S. Thompson and Henry Miller to Robin Williams and Steve McQueen has soaked here, adding to the baths’ almost mythical reputation.
The Shortcut
History runs deep at several of these properties. Glenwood has drawn visitors since 1888 to waters the Ute people revered long before the resort existed. Esalen's cliffside baths sit on springs used by the Esselen people for more than 6,000 years and has hosted many celebrities in more recent decades.
A few double as full adventure bases, not just soaking spots. Dunton pairs its geothermal pools with fly fishing, horseback riding, and skiing, and Ojo Caliente adds yoga, hiking trails, and art programming.
Dramatic settings enhance the experience. Esalen's stone tubs hang cliffside over the Pacific behind floor-to-ceiling windows; the Sky View Cabins at Castle Hot Springs deliver on their name; and Dunton literally occupies a former ghost town.
