From steaming forest pools to desert hideaways, the best hot springs in the USA promise more than warmth. They offer a chance to step into nature, history and pure bliss.
These natural pools are fed by groundwater heated far below the surface, picking up minerals as it winds through the Earth before bubbling back to the top.
How hot a spring gets depends on its depth and the surrounding rock. Some hot springs welcome a long soak; others are scalding enough to keep even the bravest at bay.
What Happens When You Actually Get In
What draws people in, of course, is what happens once you get into the water. For centuries, Indigenous communities across North America have used hot springs for bathing and ceremonies, well before any resorts appeared.
By the late 1800s, bathhouses and resort towns sprang up around these hot springs. Mineral bathing had become the height of health culture, attracting visitors seeking both wellness and a splash of luxury.
It’s the minerals that matter more than you’d think. Sulfur works on skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, though you’ll smell like eggs for a while. Magnesium eases muscle cramps and chronic pain. People with arthritis or fibromyalgia tend to feel better after regular soaking—whether that’s anti-inflammatory effects or just the heat doing its job.
The steam clears blocked sinuses, while the buoyancy takes pressure off sore joints. Your circulation also improves when submerged in hot water, which is why people with cardiovascular issues or high blood pressure sometimes see immense healing benefits.
Seven Hot Springs in the USA for Your Soaking Pleasure
Hot springs cluster heavily across the western United States, with the highest concentrations in California, the Rockies, the Southwest and even Alaska. Our top seven hot springs in the USA:
1. The Springs Resort & Spa — Colorado
Here, geothermal power is the reason the resort exists. Pools of varying temperatures spill along the San Juan River, sourced from one of the world’s deepest geothermal systems. Guests at The Springs Resort have access to over 45 mineral pools as well as complimentary yoga, forest bathing and sound immersion sessions.
2. Strawberry Park Hot Springs — Colorado
Nestled in a grove of aspens, Strawberry Park Hot Springs blends pure nature with unique stonework, just 15 minutes from downtown Steamboat. Guests can also unwind with a massage or watsu session, and let the rugged wilderness of the Yampa Valley wash away the day’s adventures.
3. Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa — New Mexico
Steeped in history and tradition, Ojo Caliente is one of the country’s oldest health spas. Tucked between rugged desert cliffs and a cottonwood-lined bosque, the hot springs await soakers seeking healing and respite. Soak your soul in the twelve communal hot springs, or book a private tub for a truly tranquil experience.
4. Riverbend Hot Springs — New Mexico
Considered sacred by the Apache and Mimbres tribes, Riverbend Hot Springs has been rejuvenating visitors for centuries with its mineral-rich waters. Eight riverside pools range from 95 to 107 degrees, offering something for every mood. Private tubs offer peaceful seclusion with walls on three sides while still opening to stunning riverside mountain views.
5. Castle Hot Springs — Arizona
Nestled in a remote corner of the Bradshaw Mountains northwest of Phoenix, Castle Hot Springs is a historical icon in the Sonoran Desert. After nearly 40 years of quiet, its natural mineral waters continue to restore and rejuvenate. Adventure meets relaxation here: soak in pools infused with lithium, magnesium, and bicarbonates, savor farm-to-table cuisine and explore the desert on guided e-bike tours.
6. Indian Springs Calistoga — California
Visitors have been “taking the waters” in this down-to-earth Napa Valley town since the mid-19th century. And in fact, Indian Springs is one of Calistoga’s oldest mineral water destinations. Guests can soak in the signature mud bath, submerged to the neck in warm volcanic ash, or relax in the historic 1910 Olympic Mineral Pool—a nod to the past that keeps the experience authentic and unpretentious.
7. Chena Hot Springs Resort — Alaska
In a state built on wilderness, Chena Hot Springs stands out as one of Alaska’s most popular soaking destinations, located about 150 miles south of the Arctic Circle near Fairbanks. With Gold Rush roots dating back to the early 1900s, the resort has long drawn travelers seeking warmth in Alaska’s Interior. Today, it remains a beloved hot springs, known for its open-air soaking and prime aurora viewing in winter.
Snapshot
- Discover seven exceptional hot springs in the USA spanning Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, California and Alaska—each fed by geothermal systems that pull mineral-rich water from deep underground.
- Understand how sulfur treats skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, magnesium eases muscle cramps and chronic pain, and heat improves circulation for those with cardiovascular issues.
- Soak at The Springs Resort & Spa in Colorado with access to over 45 mineral pools. Or visit Castle Hot Springs in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert for waters infused with lithium and magnesium.
- Experience Chena Hot Springs near Fairbanks, Alaska—one of the state’s most iconic destinations for open-air soaking and aurora viewing during winter months.
- Learn how Indigenous communities used these waters for bathing and ceremony centuries before Victorian-era bathhouses transformed mineral bathing into mainstream health culture.
About Vacayou
At Vacayou [pronounced VACAY – YOU], we believe that travel has the power to change lives. The power to revive, rejuvenate and redirect your inner wellness warrior. And that’s why we’re here. Vacayou brings the world of wellness travel to you!
No matter how far or how adventurous, our team scours the globe to curate the best in wellness travel. However, the booking process can often be time-consuming and complicated. We’ve simplified your search for wellness and active vacations with Vacayou’s Instant Book, so your dream wellness getaway is now just one click away.
Start the trip of your lifetime today with Vacayou. We are here to help create a healthier global community through wellness and active travel.
To keep up with the latest wellness trends and experiences, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.
