This Road Trip Route Leads to Some of Colorado’s Best Hot Springs — Including Natural Riverside Pools and Vapor Caves
The 800-mile Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop passes by 23 of the state's best hot springs — and incredible foliage.
Nick Kogos/Courtesy of Visit Durango
Many Colorado visitors start and end their trips in Denver, but you'll find some of the most scenic parts of the state far from the bustling capital. In Colorado's southwestern corner, tree-covered hills lead to towering peaks, and hot springs bubble up from the Earth like magic. Many of the state’s best hot springs — and some of the most vibrant fall colors — can be found along the Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop, an 800-mile route that takes to 23 natural hot springs.
To help you navigate this iconic route, the loop's organizers have grouped the springs into eight "destinations" — six towns and two counties that each host one or more of the route's geothermal attractions. Visitors will want to give themselves at least a week (or two!) to experience the full loop. And if you can align your journey with the changing of the seasons, all the better.
Travelers starting their trip in Denver will want to head southwest to Chaffee County. Here, the neighboring towns of Buena Vista, Nathrop, and Salida host five of the loop's 23 hot springs (plus plenty of hiking and mountain biking). Standout springs in this area include the creekside pools at Mount Princeton Hot Spring Resort and the outdoor, rock-rimmed pools at Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa.
Courtesy of Durango Hot Springs
From Salida, continue south to Saguache County, an area known for its majestic summits and its open, star-filled skies. Make sure to spend at least one full day at the clothing-optional Valley View Hot Springs, where the soaking ponds sit beside scenic hiking trails, and another at the tranquil Joyful Journey Hot Springs. Have kids? Continue south to Splashland Hot Springs in Alamosa.
Next up is Pagosa Springs, located about two hours west of Alamosa. This ancient geothermal hot spot draws its name from the Ute word for "healing waters," and, fittingly, it's home to three stops on the Hot Springs Loop. You won't want to miss The Springs Resort, located along the San Juan River and fed by the world's deepest geothermal hot spring. From there, you can head another hour west to Durango, where the newly renovated Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa has Japanese-inspired soaking tubs and a total of 41 pools.
Courtesy of Durango Hot Springs
As you begin to make your way north, you’ll hit the tiny mountain town of Ouray, home to the kid-friendly Ouray Hot Springs Pool and The Historic Wiesbaden Hot Springs Spa & Lodgings, which has a vapor cave carved into the rock. The next stretch of driving is a long one — about three hours — but it lands you in the lovely creative enclave of Carbondale, home to Avalanche Ranch Cabins & Hot Springs. You can continue on from there to Glenwood Springs, home to Iron Mountain Hot Springs, which sits right on the banks of the Colorado River, and the spectacular vapor caves found at Yampah Spa.
You won't want to miss the last destination on the loop: Steamboat Springs. This ski town known for its fall foliage hosts two Hot Springs Loop attractions — and it has its own airport, making it a viable start and end point if you'd like to traverse the loop without flying through Denver. While you're here, make a trip to Strawberry Park Hot Springs, a creekside facility located in a valley surrounded by tree-covered hills.
More information on this unbeatable relaxation route can be found via the Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop website and the Colorado Tourism Office.
For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
