Regardless of the season, you can enjoy a relaxing natural hot spring surrounded by beautiful scenery. Whether you’re looking for a dip in nature after a hike or a spa-like experience, there’s something for every travel taste across the country. From Alaskan pools perfect for viewing the Northern Lights to national parks named after geothermal waters, here are 12 of the best hot springs in the United States.
Of course, hot springs can be very dangerous, so be careful and only swim in areas you know are safe.
Calistoga, California
Located in beautiful Napa Valley, Calistoga is known for its abundance of hot springs. Several resorts in the area have mineral pools where tourists can enjoy the water. For example, Calistoga Spa Hot Springs has four geothermal mineral pools, including a heated lap pool. For those looking for a luxurious stay on their wine country trip, Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection is the place to go. It features an extensive spa with baths with geothermal pools of varying temperatures.
Hot Springs State Park, Thermopolis, Wyoming
Named Thermopolis (Ancient Greek for “hot city”) for its many natural hot springs, this town is also home to Hot Springs State Park. You can take a bath in the 104 degree public bath for free. Keep an eye out for bison and check out the petroglyphs at Legend Rock.
Travertine Hot Springs, Bridgeport, California
Take in views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains while soaking in natural travertine hot springs near Bridgeport. Located on California State Park property off Route 395, these small rustic pools are the perfect place to stop after a day of hiking.
Warm Springs Pool, Virginia
The main pool here is surrounded by a stunning octagonal stone basin, originally built in 1761. Guests bathe under a skylight in the domed ceiling of the Men’s Bathhouse, believed to be the oldest spa building in the United States. A second bathhouse was built in his 1870s. Presidents Thomas Jefferson and Franklin D. Roosevelt reportedly visited Warm Springs Pool back in the day. Both bathhouses are owned and operated by Omni Homestead Resorts and reopened in 2023 after extensive renovations.
Chena Hot Springs Resort (Fairbanks, Alaska)
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One of the more secluded hot springs spots on this list, Chena Hot Springs Resort is located in Fairbanks, Alaska. The resort offers interesting activities all year round, including the Aurora Ice Museum, but we recommend visiting during the winter months. Hot springs provide a welcome respite from Alaska’s harsh temperatures, and you might even see the Northern Lights while soaking.
Dunton Hot Springs, Dolores, Colorado
An 1800s ghost town turned luxury resort, Dunton Hot Springs features a variety of thermal pools in a picturesque setting. Soak in the hot springs inside or outside the bathhouse, or book a Well House for a private hot springs experience.
Yellowstone Hot Springs, Montana
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Observe Yellowstone National Park’s hot springs basins and geysers safely from a distance, then take a dip in geothermal waters. Although you can’t soak in the national park’s hot springs because it can be extremely dangerous, you can soak in the warm mineral waters of Yellowstone Hot Springs in Montana, a 30-minute drive from the park’s north entrance.
Castle Hot Springs (Arizona)
This dreamy resort is the ideal destination for travelers seeking a luxurious hot springs experience. The secluded pool is set in a beautiful desert landscape and offers stunning views for soaking. All-inclusive stays here include farm-to-table meals, access to hot springs, and activities such as guided hikes and farm tours.
Utah Crater, Midway, Utah
Utah Crater is a unique honeycomb-shaped limestone crater with a 65-foot deep heated pool. This crater is so deep that it has become a major diving destination and claims to be the only place in the United States where you can scuba dive in warm water. But don’t worry. Many people go just to swim or soak in the water.
Hot Springs National Park, Hot Springs, Arkansas
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No list of hot springs in the United States would be complete without Hot Springs National Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Before visiting Bathhouse Row, take in the natural hot springs at Display Spring or Hot Water Cascade. The park does not have outdoor hot springs suitable for bathing, but you can visit the nearby Buckstaff Bathhouse or Quapaw Baths to soak in the geothermal waters.
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
With mountains, lakes, and valleys, Glenwood Springs offers outdoor activities for everyone. After a day hiking or hitting the slopes, soak in the hot springs. Glenwood Hot Springs Resort is best known for having the world’s largest mineral springs pool. Iron Mountain Hot Springs features 16 geothermal pools and bathhouses with views of the Rocky Mountains.
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
This uniquely named place, Truth or Consequences (also known as “T or C”), is known for its hot springs that gush out of fissures along the Rio Grande. Most of the pools around here are commercially owned, and the one at Riverbend Hot Springs is probably the most attractive. Choose from a series of pools that vary from 95 degrees to 107 degrees. Set along the river, it is ideal for a peaceful soak in the “healing” spring water.
