Photo by Niwat panket at Shutterstock
Natural hot springs have always been a favored destination for road trippers in the US. There’s nothing better than soaking in the therapeutic waters of these geothermal wonders. Our country has an amazing selection of them, just waiting for you to explore them.
If you haven’t been inside one yet, you’re missing out! No matter the weather, a visit to one of these incredible hot springs throughout the country will supply the relief that you’ve been wishing for. And they’re way more effective than a simple spa or hot tub.
Some may require a bit of a hike. Others may be smack-dab in the middle of a resort. But what they do have in common is the memories you won’t soon forget. Keep reading to see some unique getaway options!
Click next to see 7 relaxing options!
This is a humble and fun little hot spring in Monroe valley that welcomes all its visitors, especially campers from across the country, with open arms.
This man-made union with nature’s beauty has come together perfectly to offer you 168 degrees of calming waters. It flows over a beautiful rock formation, and you’ll be met with two large pools and five singular bathtubs.
Camping grounds are available for visitors. However, the hot springs are not communal. You will need to be signed off for entry to keep everything clean and safe. The owners have done a fantastic job over the years, so you’ll love it!
Don’t let the above picture fool you. I’ve personally visited this location and you wouldn’t believe the panoramic views!
This restored ghost town offers you six different ways for you to soak in their water, from being right under the starry skies to a king-bedded cabin for two.
Dunton Hot Springs, an 1800s ghost town-turned-upscale resort, offers various relaxing pools in a panoramic setting. Immerse yourself inside the bathhouse, in an outdoor pool, or book the Well House for your own private soaking adventure.
If you want to be encompassed by the serene tranquility of nature all around you while you look off into space inside a balmy, mineral-rich hot spring, then Dunton is the place to be. This therapeutic and relaxing hot spring is one of the many famous attractions in Colorado.
What do you think? Have you packed your swimsuit yet?
If you’re not big on hiking, but you do want to experience what it’s like to soak in a hot spring that is right in the middle of nature, Olympic’s hot springs are the perfect solution.
While you don’t need to wait until the dead of winter necessarily, you can’t go wrong with experiencing these hot springs when there is a bit of snow on the ground for an excellent and refreshing effect.
There’s something special about being in a hot spring with the crisp, cold winter air nipping around you. But if you’re not a fan of the cold weather, Olympic welcomes you any time of the year.
This one is the perfect “soaking” destination for nature lovers!
This hot spring is soaked in luxury and amenities, giving you access to some of the best facilities in the entire state. There are four separate family-sized pools, which all offer individual levels of comfort for temperatures.
The bottom part of the springs are extra therapeutic and massage your feet with each step. Here you get year-round world-class hot pools, open 363 days a year!
Relax in the odor-free, chemical-free, no sulfur all-natural hot mineral water that bubbles directly into the bottom of the pools at 102 degrees.
More than two and a half gallons of water flow through the pools every 24 hours. They have five outdoor pools with gravel or rock bottoms, two with jets. You can even enjoy the comfort of dressing rooms, coin-operated lockers, and heated floors.
Can you imagine getting the most relaxing massage from mother nature herself?
Take in mesmerizing views of the Sierras while bathing in the natural Travertine Hot Springs near Bridgeport. Located in California State Park off of Route 395, these small, rustic pools are the perfect stop after a day of hiking.
This beautiful location will leave you in awe of the striking colors and natural surroundings, so don’t forget your camera when visiting.
Travertine is endowed with lots of mineral and rock formations around it, forming a rainbow of hues steeped in a sultry hot spring with the backdrop of Nevada’s mountains. This scenery, warm mineral water, and soft sediment bottoms create a heavenly experience.
This would make for the most relaxing and perfect weekend getaway!
As probably one of the most remote options on this list, Chena Hot Springs Resort is located in Fairbanks. It operates a big indoor pool and gorgeous outdoor wading lake, all of it regularly restocked by fragrant mineral spring water that rises from the earth at about 165 degrees.
The location has authentic Gold Rush roots and was already a premier destination for Alaska’s Interior by 1912, with people traveling by stagecoach from Fairbanks.
The resort offers you thrilling activities all year round, including the Aurora Ice Museum, but we recommend visiting during the winter months. The hot springs provide a cozy respite from chilly temperatures, and you might even get a chance to capture the northern lights while you soak.
If you’re not really the outdoorsy type, but want to experience a hot spring at least once, Chena is the place for you!
Our list of hot springs in the U.S. wouldn’t be complete without Hot Springs National Park, located in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Before visiting Bathhouse Row, you can see the thermal water in its natural setting in the Display Spring or Hot Water Cascade.
There are no outdoor hot springs suitable for bathing at this park, but you can go to the Buckstaff Bathhouse or Quapaw Baths to bathe in the geothermal waters.
Congress established this Hot Springs Reservation in 1832 to shield the hot springs flowing from the southwestern incline of Hot Springs Mountain. This national park is known for its 47 thermal springs, and it’s our country’s oldest.
In fact, it predates Yellowstone by 40 years, and it features more than 30 miles of hiking trails through the glorious Ouachita Mountains. You’ll be greeted with scenic drives, hot water cascades, picnic areas, and campsites at Gulpha Gorge Recreation Area & Campground.
What did you think about these relaxing locations to go to in our amazing nation? Let us know if we’ve missed any important ones!
If relaxing soaks are your thing, you’ll also love: 10 Heavenly US Swimming Holes To Dive Into This Summer
Check out these unique travel experiences for an incredible learning vacation! Looking for some inspiration…
You won't believe the forgotten ruins hiding under our streets! Sometimes, our nation's cities have…
These newly added UNESCO sites are begging to be on your travel bucket list! The…
These are some of America's most beautiful and walkable US cities When you plan a…
Plan your next trip around some of these incredible plant-lover travel destinations! Saying the words…
These East Coast fall foliage train rides are a railway lover's dream! Seeing fall foliage…
