If you’re into health, but have never been to a hot spring,
you really should add this to your travel bucket wish list.
Hot
springs are natural pools of geothermally heated water that emerge from the
Earth’s crust. They occur when groundwater is heated by hot rocks or magma
beneath the Earth’s surface and then rises back to the surface through cracks
or fissures.
Temperatures vary from lukewarm to boiling hot with safe
soaking temperatures ranging from 90 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
Many hot springs contain minerals like calcium, magnesium,
sulfur and silica, which create water healing or therapeutic properties. This
is why hot springs are associated with spas and wellness
retreats, offering a mix of natural beauty, relaxation and well-being.
Hot springs can differ from geothermal pools fed directly by
hot springs, containing mineral-rich water. Geysers, like Old Faithful in
Yellowstone periodically erupt with steam and boiling water and then there are
thermal rivers, streams heated by geothermal activity, like the Boiling River
in Yellowstone.
The Western part of the U.S. contains more hot springs because of unique geological activity and tectonic settings. These boundaries often
feature volcanic activity, which heats the underground water.
Here are some great destinations where you can find these geothermal
treasures.
Chena Hot Springs, Alaska
Located approximately 60 miles northeast of Fairbanks, the
hot springs has become a popular destination for both relaxation and adventure.
The added benefit is getting a glimpse of the aurora borealis or northern
lights dancing across the sky as you soak in the wellness waters.
Established over a century ago, the resort offers a variety
of lodging options, including rustic cabins, lodge rooms and family suites.
Guests can enjoy the geothermal hot springs lake, indoor and outdoor hot tubs
and heated indoor pools.
Chena Hot Springs utilizes geothermal energy for power,
operating the first low-temperature binary geothermal plant in Alaska,
significantly reducing energy costs and supporting the ongoing commitment to
renewable energy.
Aerial view of the hot springs at Castle Hot Springs. (photo via Castle Hot Springs) (Photo Credit: (photo via Castle Hot Springs))
Castle Hot Springs, Arizona
Castle Hot Springs is an adults-only luxury resort and
natural hot springs situated in the Bradshaw Mountains of Arizona, about 50
miles north of Phoenix.
The destination is known for its stunning desert scenery,
lush palm groves and natural hot springs that have been used for centuries. The
springs are the main attraction, with water temperatures hovering around 120 degrees
Fahrenheit.
Guests can stay in private bungalows, cabins and sky view
suites and participate in wellness programs that include yoga, meditation and
spa treatments.
Calistoga, California
The hot springs of Calistoga heated by geothermal activity
from nearby Mount St. Helena are rich in minerals such as magnesium, calcium
and potassium. Water temperatures can reach up to 180 degrees Fahrenheit before
being cooled for use in pools, baths and wellness treatments.
The most popular experiences in this thermal treasure trove
in stunning Napa Valley include therapeutic mineral baths believed to improve
circulation and relieve muscle tension and volcanic ash mud baths where guests are
submerged in a mixture of volcanic ash, natural peat and mineral water, said to
detoxify the body, reduce inflammation and soften skin.
Hot Springs Arkanas in winter (Patrick Finnegan / Flickr)
Hot Springs, Arkansas
This southern destination was established as a federal
reservation in 1832, making it one of the oldest protected areas in the U.S. It
became a national park in 1921 and features Bathhouse Row, a collection of
eight historic bathhouses with stunning architecture.
The area features thermal water baths, thermal pools,
private baths and steam caves. Interestingly enough, in the early 20th
century, Hot Springs became a popular resort destination for celebrities,
gangsters and baseball players. Al Capone and Babe Ruth were two notable visitors.
Glenwood Hot Springs, Colorado
Glenwood Hot Springs is known for having one of the
largest hot spring pools in the world. The resort features a massive outdoor
pool filled with mineral-rich hot spring water kept at a comfortable year-round
90 to 93-degree temperature for the large pool and 104 for the smaller therapy
pool.
The area also included a variety of luxurious treatments,
massages and wellness services at the Spa of the Rockies and lodging options
convenient to the pools and spa.
Glenwood Hot Springs Pool. (Photo Credit: Nicholas J. Klein/Adobe)
Ojo Caliente, New Mexico
This historic hot springs resort is located in northern New
Mexico, about an hour north of Santa Fe. Ojo Caliente is one of the oldest
natural health resorts in the U.S. with hot springs considered sacred by Native
American tribes for thousands of years.
The mineral-rich springs containing iron, soda and
lithia waters are believed to have various healing properties such as aiding digestion, boosting mood and bolstering the immune system. Guests can stay in a
variety of adobe-style suites, retro cottages and a historic hotel, surrounded
by hiking paths, bike trails and loads of warm soaking ponds.
Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort, Montana
Situated only an hour from the outdoorsy mecca of Missoula,
Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort in Paradise is known for its scenic Bitterroot
Mountain views, rustic charm and relaxing hot spring pools. In winter months,
the mountains are topped with snow.
Located on the banks of the Clark Fork River, the resort
showcases six natural mineral water pools, soaking pools and cooler swimming
pools, all fed by natural hot springs.
Guests can stay in cabins ranging from luxury to rustic,
including rive and mountain view options. The Glacier Lodge offers upscale
accommodations with modern amenities.
The natural hot springs pools at Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort. (photo by Kim Banocy)
Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
This unique and stunning geothermal area is located in the
northern part of Yellowstone National Park near the park’s North Entrance in
Gardiner, Montana. Unlike other thermal features in the park, Mammoth Springs
is known for its terraced and colorful tiered limestone travertine formations
created by hot water from the Norris Geyser Basin dissolving limestone
underground and then depositing calcium carbonate as it cools at the surface.
Though the water temperature at 180 degrees Fahrenheit is
much too hot to soak in, the terraces are a sight to see and change depending
on water flow, temperature and mineral distribution. Winter provides a striking
contrast with the white snow amidst steaming formations.
Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado
This luxurious and remote hot spring resort is located in
the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, about 20 miles from the town
of Dolores.
The unique location, once an 1800s mining ghost
town-turned-upscale-resort, offers visitors the chance to soak in natural,
mineral-rich hot springs in a rustic yet upscale setting, with stunning
mountain views. It’s a perfect blend of nature and comfort, offering a relaxing
and peaceful escape.
Umpqua Hot Springs, Glide, Oregon
If you don’t mind a “clothing optional” hot spring
experience, head to this geothermal spring located in the Umpqua National
Forest in southwestern Oregon, near the North Umpqua River.
Perched on a rocky hillside, the hot spring is known for its
terraced geothermal pools with stunning views of the surrounding lush
moss-covered forest and river, making it a popular spot for hikers, nature
lovers and hot spring enthusiasts. It’s particularly picturesque during the fall
and winter months when the cool air and hot water provide a dramatic contrast.
The spring’s mineral-rich waters vary in temperature and the location
is highly favored by photographers and nature lovers.
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