Colorado hot springs warm the winter spirit
Colorado’s hot springs industry has been steaming for years and continues to be a tranquil and detoxifying way to rejuvenate the body and soul.
Geological waters roughly 30,000 feet below the earth’s surface are pumped into hundreds of hot springs across the state, giving travelers a wave of options on where to relax and unwind.
Of the dozens of hot springs located in our beautiful mountain state, Out Front pinned four accessible hot spots that are sure to transform the overworked body and mind into complete alleviation.
Hot Sulphur Springs Resort
If you’re looking for options, Hot Sulphur Springs Resort has just that with 22 hot pools located throughout its rustic property.
“It’s a rustic set-up along a mountain side. Our water comes from 35,000 feet below the surface,” said Samantha Watson, assistant manager at the resort.
The resort pumps water out of five springs and into it’s small and majestic hot pools.
The property is located roughly two hours northwest of Denver, between Arapaho National Forest and Rocky Mountain National Forest.
“Our water is 100 percent natural, we don’t add anything to recirculate it,” Watson said. Two of the 22 pools are private, giving visitors a chance to relax in a secluded area.
It costs $15 to access the hot pools, which range from 98 to 112 degrees in temperature.
The resort also offers lodging, starting at $120 a night, and massage therapy, ranging from $45 to $120, depending on the service. The apartment rents for $200 a night and the cabin is $250. No alcohol, smoking or nudity is allowed.
Hot Sulphur Springs Resort is located at 5609 County Road 20. More info at hotsulphursprings.com or (970) 725.3306.
The Well at Brush Creek
For those who are completely comfortable with their bodies, The Well at Brush Creek might be the hot spot for you.
“We’re suits optional,” said Toni Shenise, general manager of the property. “But we explain to people that we are not a swingers place.”
Patrons can bathe in the water nude if they choose, except on Tuesdays, which is the only day of the week where bathing suits are required.
Nestled next to the Sangre De Cristo mountain range, the resort used to be a residence until the late ’70s when it was turned into a commercial hot spring. One distinct difference between Brush Creek and other resorts is that the water does not smell like sulphur, as it made up of mostly calcium. “Our water is odorless and tasteless,” Shenise said.
Like most hot spring locations in Colorado, the property offers massages. It does not have commercial lodging, but it does have a camping ground.
It also has two campers on site available for rent at $40 per night. Day passes to the hot springs cost $10 for women and $15 for men.
Patrons can also drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes at this resort.
“We do allow alcohol, but we do not allow excessive drinking,” Shenise said. “We are not a swingers place. We welcome everyone – it’s an open environment.”
The Well at Brush Creek is located at 50 Dr., 50 W, Penrose, 81240. More info at ofcnow.co/72lF or (719) 372.9250.
Waunita Hot Springs Ranch
The Waunita Hot Springs Ranch offers a remote ranch setting roughly 30 minutes from the town of Gunnison, giving visitors an opportunity to relax in complete peace and quiet with a western flare.
“They’re the hottest group of springs in the state,” said Ryan Pringle, who runs the ranch with his wife Tammy Pringle. “The springs heat all our buildings.”
They cool the incredibly hot waters pumped from the spring to roughly 105 degrees for the hot tub, and 102 degrees for the Olympic size pool, he said.
It costs $12 a day to use the springs, and the ranch offers a slue of lodging options.
“It’s still kinda a diamond in the rough,” Pringle said.
Waunita Hot Springs Ranch is located at 8007 County Road 887, Gunnison, 81230. More info at waunita.com or (970) 641.1266.
Strawberry Hot Springs
The Strawberry Hot Spring retreat is a little bit more difficult to get to than other hot springs resorts. If you don’t have a four-wheel-drive, however, there are vehicles that take visitors to and from the springs.
Located in Steamboat Springs, this unique location offers a water-park type setting. It’s located on 40 acres of mountain land with stone-carved mini-pools throughout the property. “Often times, people will comment that it is a little hobbit hut,” said manager Joe Stepan. “Rustic is the coin word that we use.”
There are five 104-degree pools that have a cool river running alongside each one, giving visitors a chance to cool down from the mineral waters.
The property has lodging options, including six mini-cabins with no running water or electricity, where people can camp.
Strawberry Hot Springs is located at 44200 County Road #36, Steamboat Springs, 80487. More info at strawberryhotsprings.com or (970) 879.0342.
