From Summit to Soak: Hot Springs Near Breckenridge
After a day of outdoor adventure in Breckenridge, nothing beats soaking in the soothing waters of a hot spring. While Breckenridge itself is not home to any hot springs, there are several within driving distance. Check out our list of both natural springs and hot springs resorts that are nearby and perfect for unwinding from a long hike or day on the mountain.
Mt Princeton
Drive south from Breckenridge over Hoosier Pass to Fairplay and turn west on Hwy 285 toward the Collegiate Peaks, where some of Colorado's tallest mountains reside. At the foot of Mount Princeton is a natural hot springs that feeds a couple of swimming pools and hot tubs at the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort, located in Nathrop, CO.
The resort includes a hotel, cbins and a small restaurant. Day passes to the pools are available and changing rooms are on site. There are also several natural, stacked-rock formations in the river that hold hot springs water in pools which provides a great natural way to soak and see the area.
The hot springs is located in Chalk Creek Canyon so the setting is a high mountain one covered with conifers. The drive is beautiful and the views interesting. Further up the mountain above the resort are several ghost towns which are fun to explore, some of which require 4WD.
Cottonwood Hot Springs
Located on Cottonwood Pass Road, this is a small hot springs area with a changing room, four small pools and one larger one. The setting is in an open meadow and near the town of Buena Vista.
Salida Hot Springs Pool
Located right in the town of Salida is the town's aquatic center, heated by natural hot water. Temperatures vary: Lap Pool: 84-86 degrees. Leisure Pool: 97-100 degrees.
Glenwood Springs
The largest hot springs pool in the state is one visited by President Theodore Roosevelt when he setting up the National Park System. Just across the street is a historic hotel with a full recreation center. There is an Olympic-size lap-lane area in the larger outdoor pool with a large circular slide and diving boards. There is a second pool that is smaller but still large pool and even hotter that is a great place to be on a cold day. Other pools include a kids wading pool, some indoor hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms. Glenwood's hot springs pool is filtered and cleaned with a state-of-the-art environmentally friendly system pioneered in Germany.
Iron Mountain Hot Springs is the newest hot springs resort in Glenwood Springs. This resort consists of 16 geothermal pools and a large fresh water family pool. The setting is on the banks of the Colorado River and is especially amazing at sunset.
Hot Sulphur Springs
According to the Hot Sulphur Spring website, the owners state, "We do not add chemicals, filter or recirculate our mineral water. Over 200,000 gallons of natural hot mineral-rich water flow through our 21 mineral pools and baths every day at controlled temperatures of 95º to 112ºF."
The water is fed from 35,000 feet below the surface of the earth, in the volcanic rock below Hot Sulphur Springs, and surfaces in seven natural springs flowing above. The largest fissure has been flowing constantly for hundreds of years. The water is between 104ºF to 126ºF.