California Archives - Page 4 of 4 - The Homebody Tourist

The fall and winter months are quickly approaching and I cannot think of a better getaway or road trip than searching for all of the best hot springs in the US. Just imagine yourself soaking in a 104-degree natural hot spring with some light snow and mountains in the background. Sounds like absolute bliss right? I'm in! Keep reading to find the very best hot springs in the United States (and be sure to download the USA hot springs map so you can keep exploring and adding to your bucket list). This site contains affiliate links to products. I only show products I have tried and love. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support! USA Hot Springs Map PS! Save this map or post as I will always be adding additional hot springs! Best FREE Hot Springs in the US to add to your BUCKET LIST Sunbeam Hot Springs- Stanley, ID As experienced by Jessica from Uprooted Travel There’s several free natural hot springs in Stanley, Idaho, but Sunbeam Hot Springs is perhaps one of the most picturesque and accessible. To get to Sunbeam from the small adventure town of Stanley, you’ll drive east along Highway 75 for approximately 17 minutes and park along the plentiful space along the shoulder. You can then simply walk down a short, but steep hill to the banks of the Salmon River. Geothermally heated water from a thermal creek (which is super hot, ranging up to 160°!) is piped down into the river water. Soakers can find an already constructed pool or, alternatively, construct one themselves, by using large river rocks to mix the steamy water with the chilly river water. Once you get the temperature just right, sit back, relax, and drink in the surrounding views of the ponderosa pine tree forests and the craggy hills of Idaho! Goldbug Hot Springs- Elk Bend, ID As experienced by Stefanie from Open Road Odysseys Goldbug Hot Springs is an incredibly beautiful and unique hot spring perfect for those who want a little bit of adventure mixed in with a relaxing soak. Goldbug is located near Idaho's stunning Sawtooth Mountains just outside of Elk Bend, Idaho. You'll find the turnoff for the hot springs around mile marker 282 on Highway 93. Take Warm Springs Road, which will turn into a dirt road, to the end where there's a small parking lot. If it's full, you can park along the side of the road - just don't block any driveways or access points. Now the fun begins. Goldbug is located at the end of a 2-mile one-way hike up into the Idaho hills. The hike can be a bit tough as there are some steep inclines and rocks, but the view at the top is worth the effort! When you reach the hot springs, there are plenty of pools to choose from, all with different depths, sizes, and temperatures. The popular heart-shaped pool is the largest and busiest. To get away from the crowds, check out some of the smaller surrounding pools. Since it's located on national forest land, this hot spring is free and open to the public all year round. Travertine Hot Springs- Bridgeport, CA As experienced by Catherine from Nomadicated There's nothing quite like a soak in a natural hot spring by Mammoth Lakes, surrounded by the jagged peaks of the Eastern Sierras of California. There are so many to choose from, be sure to add a stop to at least one of these amazing hot springs to your Highway 395 road trip itinerary. Travertine Hot Springs is one of the area's most beautiful undeveloped hot springs. Located just off Highway 395 on the outskirts of Bridgeport, Travertine is a collection of seven hot pools, each with fantastic views of the Sierra Nevada. For those on a quick agenda, just hop out as the main Travertine Hot Springs is conveniently located just a short walk away from the parking area. Even the more hidden pools are within a half-mile walk of each other. The underground spring feeds into a series of pools resulting in different temperatures depending on how far it is from the source. Travertine Hot Springs is admission-free but maintained entirely by visitors. Please be considerate of this natural wonder to allow future visitors the ability to do so as well. Wild Willy’s Hot Springs- Mammoth Lakes, CA As experienced by Jessica from Uprooted Travel While Mammoth Lakes is known for its free geothermal springs, Wild Willy’s Hot Spring is unique in that it’s the only one in the area where you can soak in a natural pool, as opposed to a manmade one. Plus, with its panoramic views of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains, it’s a not to be missed stop on any California road trip. Wild Willy’s sits on Bureau of Land Management property, so the road is unmaintained and can often be potholed and washboarded. Once you make it to the parking lot, you’ll hike along an easy 0.25-mile path. Eventually, you’ll make it to the spring itself, which consists of a thermal creek, as well as a separate heart-shaped pool approximately 50 yards away. Because Wild Willy’s can accommodate a lot of people, especially compared to the other springs in the region, it winds up having a party-like atmosphere, especially at night. So if you’re visiting with kids, plan your visit during the day and otherwise, show up with your favorite beverage of choice, ready to make lots of new hot spring friends! Hart Mountain Hot Springs- Plush, OR As experienced by Nina and Garrett from Oregon is for Adventure Hart Mountain Hot Springs is located in the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge where you can see a lot more than just some beautiful hot pools. There are a few hiking trails, Warner Peak being the most popular, and, of course, tons of antelope roaming free along with big horn sheep and golden eagles! The area is captivating and not often visited as it is quite off the path. Speaking of which, plan some extra time driving through this area as it is mostly dirt roads. The hot springs are located in the middle of the park, and there's camping nearby. You'll find a "developed" hot spring and a "primitive" hot spring. The former just happens to have a stone wall around it with a ladder leading into it, and the latter is totally natural! The water stays around 100-105 degrees and is a soothing stop after exploring the area. Rock Tub Hot Springs- Mammoth Lakes, CA As experienced by Trijit Mallick from Budget Travel Buff A number of hot springs can be found in the meadows southeast of Mammoth Lakes, including The Rock Tub. It is one of the most beautiful hot springs near Mammoth Lakes located in the Long Valley Caldera region. This single soaking tub is made of rock and concrete and is about 3 feet deep. This hot spring is geothermally heated and offers breathtaking views of California’s snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Five to six people can share the hot spring at once. The temperature is between 90 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit, so it's not particularly hot. The tub is odorless and does have some algae, but bathers can remove some of the accumulated algae using supplied brushes and the tub drain. All vehicles can get to the springs, however, Whitmore Tubs Road and the road there can get muddy or create washboards following storms. It's a breathtaking sight to see the sunset over the distant mountains. Rock Tub is clothing optional, so keep that in mind if you're planning a trip with your kids this spring. In this region, dispersed camping is fairly common. There are no restrooms and other amenities. Umpqua Hot Springs-Idleyld Park, OR As experienced by Jessica from Uprooted Travel Found in the southern part of Oregon in the Umpqua National Forest, Umpqua Hot Springs are the quintessential Pacific Northwest hot springs. They consist of a series of pools, carved into a cliffside, that are surrounded by a dense pine tree forest and overlook a rushing river below. The springs themselves are free, but you’ll either need to display a Northwest Forest Pass, valid interagency pass, or a day use permit for $5 on your dashboard to park in the gravel lot. From here, you’ll hike along a short (0.4 miles one-way), but steep and rocky trail to the springs themselves. Once you reach the springs, you’ll have your choice of several pools to soak in. If you’re hoping to get the springs to yourself, you should show up early (as in, sunrise early), given that these springs have risen in popularity over the last several years. Best Paid Hot Springs in the US to add to your BUCKET LIST Chena Hot Springs- Fairbanks, AK As experienced by Michele from Slow Traveling Cat Are you looking for a truly adventurous hot springs experience? Look no further than Chena Hot Springs. Located 60 miles outside of Fairbanks, Alaska, Chena Hot Springs is the perfect mix of stunning beauty and rugged charm. Chena is best known for its outdoor “rock pool”, which is a large, natural hot spring, surrounded by rocks. The pool is around 4 feet in depth and has an average temperature of 106 degrees Fahrenheit. Swimwear is required and the area is reserved for those 18 and up. The rest of the facilities are open to all ages and include indoor pools and a smaller outdoor hot tub. The best time to visit is in the winter when you’ll have an optimal shot at seeing the aurora borealis. Known as one of the best places for aurora viewing in Alaska, the friendly staff will happily point them out to any tourist within earshot. Aside from the stunning rock pool and aurora viewing, Chena also offers a year-round ice museum, dog sled rides, an on-site restaurant and bar, and a full-service hotel. Admission is just $15 for a day pass and parking is free. Keep Reading: Best Alaskan Cruise Shore Excursions Cottonwood Hot Springs- Buena Vista, CO As experienced by Daria from The Discovery Nut Located just outside of Buena Vista, Cottonwood Hot Springs is one of the most easily accessible hot springs in Colorado. Visiting Cottonwood Hot Springs is a great idea after hiking in the area and exploring nearby mountains. Buena Vista provides access to some of the best hiking trails in Colorado, as well as a group of Collegiate Peaks, mountains with an altitude of over 14,000 feet. If you want to spend your day hiking and enjoying the outdoors, this is a great way to round off your day of adventures. These geothermal springs are famous for their therapeutic and medicinal value. Visitors can take a dip in several pools that vary in size and temperature from 94 degrees to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Also on the property, there’s a dry sauna, creek side pools and a cold pool where you can jump to refresh after relaxing in hot springs. The Cottonwood Hot Springs are open 7 days a week, Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. through midnight. Admission fees are $20 Monday through Thursday for adults and $18 for kids under 16. If you want to visit Cottonwood Hot Springs from Friday through Sunday, adults have to pay $24 and kids under 16 have to pay $20. If you want to extend your visit, you can book a room in the on-site lodge which includes access to the hot springs during your stay. Homestead Crater in Midway, Utah By JJ Haglund from The Minivan Bucket List Picture Credit: Ririanna.ang Want something unusual to add to your bucket list? Try scuba diving in a geothermal hot spring near Park City, Utah. The Homestead Crater is a limestone dome shaped like a beehive, aptly located in The Beehive State. Inside the dome, you’ll find a 65-foot-deep hot spring with temperatures in the mid-90s. You can dive all the way to the bottom and even get scuba certified on site. But if scuba diving isn’t up your alley, you can snorkel, do paddleboard yoga, or just soak and relax in the mineral-rich water. It costs $18 per person to swim or $26 to snorkel. The hot springs are located on the property of The Homestead Resort in Midway, so you could book a package for a room/soak combo. Or if you’d rather stay closer to the ski resorts, it’s just a 25-minute drive from Park City, Deer Valley, or Sundance. Either way, it’s one of the best places in Utah to visit! Bathhouse Row- Hot Springs, AR Located right in downtown Hot Springs you will find 8 different historic bathhouses built between 1892 and 1923. Although these are not your typical hot springs, it would be a disservice to leave something so unique off of this bucket list! The Buckstaff Bathhouse still offers traditional type therapy and baths. The Quapaw Baths are home to public thermal baths (20 dollars per person) and specialized spa services. After a therapeutic soak, be sure to spend some time exploring the rest of the National Park and the surrounding area. The Ouachitas are absolutely beautiful and the perfect spot for an off-the-grid getaway! Indian Hot Springs, Colorado Nestled amidst the breathtaking beauty of Clear Creek Canyon in Idaho Springs, Colorado, the Indian Hot Springs Resort offers a tranquil escape for those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation. This rustic yet charming resort is renowned for its natural mineral hot springs, which have been drawing visitors for over a century (yep 100+ years!). With geothermal pools of varying temperatures and a serene mountain backdrop, it’s a haven for anyone in search of a soothing getaway from Denver! Be sure to combine your soak with a visit to the Mud Room! The whole-body mud mask if a great way to relax and exfoliate after a weekend of hiking (It was 10000 percent needed after conquering Grays Peak- a nearby 14er! Alvord Desert Hot Springs- Princeton, OR As experienced by Nina and Garrett from Oregon is for Adventure Alvord Desert is a magical and underrated place to visit in Oregon. You can stay and camp on the playa, in the open, for free! It's a huge dusty dried-up lake bed that doesn't sound very exciting but is incredibly beautiful with The Steen Mountain as a backdrop. There isn't much out here, but at night, there's amazing stargazing if it's clear. The one cool thing to do aside from camping in the desert is to visit Alvord Hot Springs. It's a small campsite with bunkers and a hot spring. You can stay with them and use the hot spring for free, or if you're choosing to camp on the playa, just pop by their store and ask to use their hot spring for a small fee. It's not mega glamorous but it's super relaxing and has a beautiful view over the desert. After your hot dip, you can cool down with a world-famous milkshake from Field's Station not too far away—it's a ritual for everyone visiting the Playa! Sycamore Mineral Springs- San Luis Obispo, CA As experienced by Francesca from Homeroom Travel One of the best hot springs in the United States is the Sycamore Mineral Springs in California. These hot springs are located in San Luis Obispo and are the perfect way to relax after a busy day on the California Central Coast. The resort has 24 hillside hot tubs that are available to rent by the hour. It costs $22.50/person Monday-Thursday or $27.50/person Friday-Sunday. These are available for groups of 1-6 people. If you have a larger group, you can reserve the oasis waterfall lagoon for up to 20 people. This costs $28/person Monday-Thursday or $33/person Friday-Sunday. You can opt to reserve online ahead of time, or show up and see if there is any availability. There is plenty of free parking as it is attached to a resort. You are also able to buy snacks and drinks in the gift shop prior to entering the hot springs. There are also bathrooms to change in. After spending time in the hot springs, there is a lot to explore in the area. The area is home to hundreds of wineries but Sextant Winery is one of the best in the area. You can also grab dinner in Avila Beach and watch the sunset over Pirates Cove. Pismo Beach is also close by and has a lot to explore. Three Sisters Springs- Crystal River, FL As experienced by Lori from TravlinMad Florida may not have volcanic hot springs, but its limestone topography in the central part of the state has numerous warm springs dotting its landscape, making it one of the most unique places to visit for nature lovers. Three Sisters Springs is one of the most famous springs and popular among tourists who come to swim with the West Indian manatee, its most famous resident. These natural warm springs remain at a constant 72 degrees (F) and offer refuge for manatees when the Gulf of Mexico turns cold in the winter. If you’re planning a visit to Orlando or a fun Florida road trip, Crystal River makes an excellent stop. Take a guided manatee tour or rent a kayak and paddle to the springs. It’s only during the winter months when the manatees seek refuge in the warm water that the spring itself is closed to humans, though a tour will have you seeing lots of manatees in the clear river nearby. If you’d rather not get in the water, Three Sisters Spring is surrounded by a boardwalk so you can walk around any time of year, but winter is best for seeing dozens if not hundreds of manatees huddling together to stay warm. Keep reading for more fun things to do during ONE WEEKEND IN CRYSTAL RIVER! Iron Mountain Hot Springs, Glenwood Springs, CO As experienced by Jolayne from simplyjolayne If you are looking to enjoy a relaxing soak in one of the best hot springs in the USA, the Iron Mountain Hot Springs facilities in Glenwood Springs are top-notch. Plan to make your 3-hour reservation in advance as time slots do fill quickly. Iron Mountain features 17 small mineral hot springs pools that range in temperature from 98 to 108. Find the pool with your ideal temperature or move from one hot spring pool to another for a progressive experience. Iron Mountain Hot Springs is perfect any time of the year, but on a frosty winter evening, you may have to brave the chill by hopping in and out of the pools. Be sure to wear flip-flops. Iron Mountain encourages all guests to bring a water bottle and to continue drinking water throughout your dips. Water fountains are available for refills. Iron Mountain Hot Springs is located at 281 Centennial St, Glenwood Springs, CO along the banks of the Colorado River. Reservations are required for a 3-hour visit between the hours of 9 am and 10 pm daily. Ticket prices start at $36/person and vary depending on the time of day you choose to soak. A locker and a towel are included with your reservation. The Glenwood Springs Hot Springs- Glenwood Springs, CO As experienced by Lance from Travel Addicts Along the banks of the Colorado River in a deep mountain canyon is one of the most remarkable hot springs: The Glenwood Springs Hot Springs Pool. To call this a pool is a bit of an understatement. This is the world’s largest hot springs pool. The complex is actually several pools. The main pool is the size of several football fields. The hot therapy pool (sometimes called the “small pool”) is larger in footprint than most homes. There are also diving boards, lap swimming lanes, water slides, and even a kiddie pool. Inside, there are several indoor pools that are part of the exclusive Spa of the Rockies and are used in therapy treatments. The Glenwood Hot Springs is open from 8am-9pm daily. Admission varies depending on the day of the week and season, but is between $29-$42 for adults and $20-$26 for children. There are several parking lots around the pool, plus on-street parking in the nearby neighborhood. The pool is central in the town and guests can walk there from everyone in Glenwood. Castle Hot Springs- Morristown, AZ As experienced by Ruma from The Holiday Story Arizona is known for its several wellness retreats, and the many hot springs here are the most popular among tourists. Among the others, Castle Hot Spring holds the most historical value. This hot spring in Arizona is the hottest natural spring in the world, established in 1896. It's located amid the canyons in Bradshaw Mountains, an hour away from Phoenix. The hot spring is operated by Castle Hot Springs luxury resort. There are three hot springs with varying temperatures with an average temperature of 95°F. The pools are loaded with nerve-calming minerals like magnesium and lithium. The springs are surrounded by rocks and trees like palms and cacti. The springs are the resort's private property; thus, only resort guests are allowed. Avoid crowd visits early in the morning before 6 AM or late at night after most guests have retired for the day. Strawberry Park Hot Springs- Steamboat Springs, CO Strawberry Park Hot Springs are lcoated in the quaint town of Steamboat Springs, just two hours away from the famous ski town of Breckenridge, CO. The springs themselves are open year-round for both day guests and overnight visitors. The road to get there is a bit rough and you are required to have snow tires or chains from November to May. If you are visiting for the day, you will need to reserve a 2 hour arrival window. This is free to do so. Upon arrivial, you will then pay the 20 dollar (cash) admission. There are bathrooms and changing rooms onsite and three different springs to choose from with differing temperatures. The best part about these springs is the FREEZING river that you can jump into. We alternated between the springs and the river so many times! Strawberry Park also offers unique lodging choices such as covered wagons, rustic cabins, and even a old train caboose. Clothing is optional from sundown and opening. What other USA hot springs would you add to this list? Let me know on Instagram! And follow along for all things USA travel + dog-friendly