Now that spring is here and the roads are clear, it’s the perfect time to plan a hot springs loop that visits the natural hot springs which are abundant in Colorado. Offering soothing, bone-soaking warmth and relaxation in beautiful natural and sometimes historic surroundings, hot springs hopping is a great way to transition from ski season to summer..
The time between high seasons in Colorado (often called Mud Season) can be a wonderful time for travel through the mountain towns. The crowds thin out, the hustle of high season slows down, and often it’s just the locals in town enjoying the restaurants, bars, retail shops and attractions. It’s a great time to explore and really get to know Colorado on your own hot springs loop.
Why Soaking is So Satisfying
Hot springs soaking offers recovery and relaxation after a day of hiking, biking or climbing. And with so many natural hot springs dotted through Colorado, it gives adventurers a fascinating excuse to plan a road trip through some of the less-traveled destinations in the mountains. The natural blend of mineral waters occurring in local hot springs helps relax muscles and aching joints, while encouraging deep and restful sleep.
The practice of soaking in natural mineral baths goes back to ancient times and native peoples. It can connect you to the past and to nature, while also creating a peaceful setting that allows you to connect with fellow travelers. Time slows, and the noise of a busier life quiets, allowing visitors time and space to connect with each other.
Like generations of people before you, who sought health cures and wellness retreats in the natural hot springs of Colorado. Soaking can reset your nervous system and remind you that restoration doesn’t require escape — just presence.
A hot springs loop is an easy and accessible getaway from Denver, Colorado Springs, Durango, Grand Junction and from northern New Mexico. Try planning a “loop” of several hot springs destinations, or just pick one and stay a while.
Try This Hot Springs Loop in the South
Soak Stop 2: Durango
Soak Stop 3: Ridgway and Ouray
Soak Stop 4: Saguache County
Soak Stop 5: Buena Vista and Salida
Stay in a Central Location
Selecting one destination as a base camp is an excellent way to try several different hot springs in a regional area. It eliminates the need to pack up every morning and unpack in a new destination every night. Instead, try booking a lodge or hotel that is located centrally and has amenities perfect for extended stays.
Our choice is Chipeta Lodge Resort + Spa. We think it’s the perfect place to hang your hat (or your flipflops) for a while. You can book a variety of room types and choose whether you want a kitchenette, a full kitchen, a deck or terrace, or your own private hot tub.
Chipeta Lodge Resort + Spa has extra amenities, too, like communal hot tubs, a heated outdoor pool, and a day spa that offers massages, facials and other treatments. With its own White Buffalo Restaurant + Bar on property, you can enjoy dinner at the lodge every night. Complimentary breakfast is included, and dogs are welcome.
From Chipeta Lodge, it’s easy to visit a number of hot springs within a 1-2 hour drive for a hot springs loop of your own design.
Orvis Hot Springs: Natural and Quiet
Just five minutes from Chipeta Lodge, Orvis Hot Springs is one of Colorado’s most beloved natural soaking experiences. Small and natural, the water is naturally heated from the source spring and the blend of minerals contains lithium for added relaxation. Ten indoor and outdoor soaking areas have water that ranges in temperature from 65 to 112 degrees F.
Different from larger, more commercial hot springs, the outdoor springs at Orvis are adults-only (18+) and clothing-optional. Kids are allowed in the indoor pool where clothing is required, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The mineral-rich pools range from warm soaking pools to hotter tubs that ease tight muscles after a long drive, hiking, biking or climbing.
Nights are especially magical. Ridgway is a certified dark sky community, so after dark, steam rises into skies where thousands of stars may be visible on a clear night. Conversations soften. Phones disappear.
For couples seeking connection, or wellness travelers craving reset time, Orvis offers a deeply grounding experience. After soaking, you’re only minutes from returning to your guest room or one of several suites at Chipeta Lodge Resort + Spa. No long, dark drive required. And no need to leave the resort to find dinner; dine at White Buffalo Restaurant + Bar for an elevated southwest-flavored menu of local favorites and craft cocktails. Or simply order takeout and room delivery service from White Buffalo and enjoy a quiet evening in your room.
But you might not want to miss the rooftop bar at White Buffalo which offers panoramic views of the sawtooth peaks of the Cimarron range in the heart of the San Juans. And with Ridgway certified as one of just a few “dark sky” communities in Colorado, the stars after dark put on an extra big show.
Ouray Hot Springs: Scenic Soaking with Mountain Drama
A 15 minute drive south of Ridgway is Ouray Hot Springs Pool, framed dramatically by towering canyon walls.
Unlike Orvis Hot Springs, Ouray Hot Springs Pool is family-friendly with a large, sulfur-free open-air pool and recently renovated amenities. Several different pools offer bathers a variety of water temperatures and atmospheres and allow visitors to transition between hotter and colder temps.
Try a Watsu Aquatic Bodywork from a skilled and trained therapist. This healing therapy includes stretching and massage while effortlessly floating in the heated mineral pool. This treatment is a perfect way to unwind and renew your body and mind after a long day of travel or outdoor adventures.
Visit both Orvis and Ouray during your hot springs loop stay in Ridgway to experience both the quiet intimacy of a small hot spring and the more social immersion of a big pool.
In summer, the drive from Ridgway to Ouray along Highway 550 is part of the experience. Continue on through Ouray after your soak to enjoy the stunning views from the Million Dollar Highway. Breathtaking cliffs and waterfalls create a cinematic journey that is hard to forget.
Hot Springs of Saguache County: Authentic and Natural
Saguache County, Colorado offers a quiet, authentic hot springs experience—less crowded than places like Ouray, but deeply rewarding for travelers seeking relaxation, wellness, and a connection to nature.
The most well-known destination is Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa in Moffat. This retreat features multiple soaking pools with varying temperatures, all set against wide-open views of the San Luis Valley and surrounding mountains. Pools are typically open daily (around 9 AM–10 PM, though hours vary seasonally), with day passes generally ranging from $20–$40. Lodging and private soak options are also available. This is ideal for wellness seekers, couples, and anyone looking for a peaceful, restorative experience.
Nearby, Valley View Hot Springs offers a more rustic and nature-focused experience. Operated by the Orient Land Trust, it features both developed pools and natural soaking areas along hiking trails. Hours are usually sunrise to sunset for day visitors, with overnight options required during peak times. Pricing is typically $20–$30 per person. This destination appeals to adventurers, naturists (clothing-optional areas exist), and those who enjoy hiking combined with soaking on their hot springs loop.
What makes Saguache County unique is the balance of quiet solitude and natural beauty—no resort crowds, just expansive skies and geothermal water. It’s best suited for travelers who value authenticity over luxury, including wellness retreat guests, road trippers, and couples seeking a slower, more meaningful escape.
Buena Vista and Salida: Scenic and Accessible
Buena Vista and Salida, Colorado are home to some of the most scenic and accessible hot springs in the state: perfectly blending mountain adventure with deep relaxation.
In Buena Vista, Cottonwood Hot Springs offers a tranquil, rustic experience along Chalk Creek. With several soaking pools ranging from warm to hot, it’s open daily (typically 10 AM–10 PM, with seasonal variations). Day passes generally range from $20–$30, with additional options for private soaks and lodging. The atmosphere is quiet and nature-focused, making it ideal for wellness travelers, couples, and those seeking a peaceful reset after hiking or skiing.
Nearby, Mount Princeton Hot Springs delivers a more developed experience. Guests can soak in creekside hot springs pools or larger temperature-controlled pools. Open daily (often 9 AM–10 PM), day passes typically cost $25–$45 depending on access and season. This location is great for families, groups, and travelers who want amenities like dining, spa services, and easy access.
In Salida, experience one of the largest indoor hot springs pools in the nation at Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center, a family-friendly oasis boasting two inviting pools filled with pure, mineral-rich spring water from underground springs nearby. Day passes are $17 for adults, with lockers and private soak options. Salida itself attracts visitors who pair soaking with rafting, biking, and exploring its vibrant arts scene.
Together, these hot springs loop destinations appeal to a wide range of travelers; from adventure couples and families to wellness seekers, offering the perfect balance of active days and restorative evenings in Colorado’s high country.
Advantages of Staying in Ridgway on Your Hot Springs Loop
Ridgway is an affordable choice with easy access to Ouray, Montrose and the airports. A charming downtown and walkable shops, bars, and cafes, make Ridgway an easy choice for a hot springs loop road trip.
- 15 minutes from Ouray
- 45 minutes from Telluride
- 35 minutes from Montrose Airport
Creative. Authentic. Local.
Enjoy soaking at a slower pace and during the quieter spring mud season, then return to the easy mountain comfort of Chipeta Lodge Resort + Spa. The small boutique resort boasts its own White Buffalo Restaurant + Bar on property, plus the recently renovated Chipeta Lodge Spa by ISUN, with a full treatment menu.
For road-trippers looking for good value with all the service, hospitality and pampering of a larger resort, this boutique hotel offers accessible luxury at an affordable price.
Stay at Chipeta Lodge for Luxury with a Mountain Soul
After soaking in hot springs, what you’ll want is the quiet warmth of a clean and cozy room. Chipeta Lodge Resort + Spa has a wide variety of guest rooms and suites, each one unique and thoughtfully designed. Many rooms have private balconies, fireplaces, or their own private hot tub.
- Rooms with mountain views
- Private hot tubs in select suites
- Premium bedding and luxury linens
- A full menu of spa services for added relaxation and pampering
- Kitchens or kitchenettes in select rooms
- On-property restaurant and bar
- Complimentary breakfast
- Seasonal and mid-week packages
Take your time to enjoy the slow pace of life in Ridgway. Coffee in hand. Beautiful views of the Cimarron Range of the San Juans. Plan your day around soaking or outdoor adventure like biking, hiking or wandering downtown Ridgway or Ouray.
- For couples, a hot springs stay at Chipeta Lodge offers romantic seclusion without pretension.
- For wellness travelers, it offers a respite that prioritizes quiet and calm.
- For adventure road-trippers, it offers recovery after exploration and outdoor sports.
Add Adventure to Your Hot Springs Loop
A hot springs loop trip doesn’t have to mean sitting still. Between soaks, there’s time for exploring nature, outdoor sports and adventure:
- Hiking in Ridgway State Park
- Rock climbing in Ouray or Telluride
- Visit a national park or monument, like the Great Sand Dunes or Black Canyon of the Gunnison
- Climb a fourteener, such as Mount Sneffels or Mount Wilson
- Do a Microbrew Pub crawl in Ouray
- Wildlife and nature photography at Dallas Divide
- Scenic drives along the San Juan Skyway
The beauty of basing out of Ridgway is its accessibility and flexibility. You can chase adventure by day and soak in hot springs or hot tubs at night, or vice versa. That balance of exertion and relaxation is what makes a hot springs road trip so powerful.
FAQ
Q: What should I pack for a hot springs loop trip?
A: Layering is key. You’ll move between pools and being exposed to cool mountain air and hot water repeatedly. Here’s what to pack:
- Two swimsuits (so one has time to dry)
- Warm robe, coverup or outer layer coat that is easy to throw over a bathing suit
- Waterproof sandals or slip-on clogs or sandals
- Insulated water bottle
- Moisturizer (minerals can dry skin)
- Lip balm
- Hat to keep your head warm while your body floats in heated water
- Sunscreen
Q: Are you ready for a road trip to the Colorado southwest?
A: Highways between Colorado Springs, Denver, Durango, and Grand Junction are well maintained and pass through several towns with mineral hot springs. Staying in Ridgway reduces long drives between hot springs and gives easy access to outdoor recreation areas, parks, culture and dining of surrounding towns.
Q: How many days is the perfect hot springs loop trip?
A: Ideal: 3 – 5 nights, depending on the number of hot springs stops you want to make. This allows for driving between hot springs and other activities, and provides plenty of time for relaxation.
Your Hot Springs Loop Road Trip Starts Here
If you’re ready to plan your spring hot springs road trip, the road is waiting — and so is the Chipeta Lodge Resort + Spa. Check for mid-week specials and rates and avoid higher prices. Reserve a table at White Buffalo Restaurant + Bar, and dine at the resort at least one night during your stay.
For an extra added treat, check out the full menu of massages and treatments at the Chipeta Lodge Spa by ISUN. Try a couples massage or a facial to begin or end your day and feel truly pampered.
We are ready to welcome you!
