Hot Spring and Spa Guide To America’s National Parks
I love National Parks. As a child I tried to collect as many passport stamps as possible from them. And I even had dreams of working for the National Park Service one day.
By their nature, National Parks offer beauty that’s not seen anywhere else. Often we don;t hear about the hot springs and spas that can bring us relief after a long hike. That’s why I am here. We have rounded up details for hot springs near the U.S.’ most popular National Parks.
Arches National Park
Utah has a number of hot springs peppered around. Arches National Park is a landscape defined by hot summers, cold nights and the contrasting red rocks that we all love.
Durango Hot Springs offers a relaxing, well-designed setting with a great variety of soaking pools, ranging from the high 90s up to 111°F, plus two cold plunges. Located a scenic 2.5-hour drive southeast of Arches, Durango Hot Springs represents the gold standard in sustainable thermal management.
Fifth Water Hot Springs, also known as Diamond Fork Hot Springs, is a favorite among adventurers seeking a more rustic experience. It’s about 3 hours from Arches National Park. The scenic hike leads to a series of cascading pools with varying temperatures. Three scenic waterfalls and some very nice hot springs are located along Fifth Water Creek, which is a tributary to the Diamond Fork River, east of Spanish Fork. You can reach the springs and waterfalls from the Three Forks Trailhead in Diamond Fork Canyon, or from the Rays Valley Trailhead (located on the Rays Valley Road north of Hwy 6).
For something closer, Spa Moab is located in the heart of town of Moab only 10 minutes from Arches National Park. It provides immediate, clinical-grade physical recovery from the most challenging hikes. Spa Moab focuses on localized hydrotherapy and deep-tissue recovery.
The historic Moab Springs Ranch property protects one of the few natural freshwater oases in the immediate Moab valley. While the waters here are cool springs rather than thermal vents, the ranch utilizes them to sustain a massive, ancient cottonwood grove. These are great for those hot summer days at Arches National Park.
Mystic Hot Springs is an exercise in bohemian preservation about 3 hours from Arches National Park. Mystic Hot Springs is easily accessible off highway I-70, in the small town of Monroe in Central Utah. The highly mineralized water flows at 168°F over massive, natural travertine terracing. The owners have embedded vintage cast-iron bathtubs directly into the mineral rock. Sitting just up the road from Mystic, Red Hill is a completely free, unmanaged natural hot spring situated on public land.
Nestled in the San Juan Mountains about 3 hours east of Arches, Orvis hot springs is a sanctuary dedicated to unmediated nature. Geologically, the water here is uniquely high in natural lithium, a mineral extensively documented for its mood-stabilizing and nervous-system-calming properties.
Located 40 minutes south of Arches near Looking Glass Rock, ULUM is a masterclass in low-impact, high-luxury desert integration. They have cute glamping tents with hot and cold pools contrasting against the desert landscape.
Perched directly on the banks of the mighty Colorado River about 30 minutes Northeast of Arches, Sorrel River Ranch provides the ultimate luxury contrast to the harsh desert.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Stretching 469 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains from Virginia to Tennessee, the Blue Ridge Parkway is widely celebrated as "America’s Favorite Drive." Driving along this road is a relief from the hustle and bustle of the DC area. Escape away into the many creeks, mountain hikes, windy roads, and my favorite, the annual firefly events.
To find the greatest concentration of thermal activity in the Appalachian range, one must travel to Bath County, Virginia, located about an hour west of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s northern sections. Formerly known as the Jefferson Pools, the Warm Springs Pools are arguably the most historically significant bathhouses in North America.
Just a few miles south of Warm Springs lies the town of Hot Springs, Virginia. Here, the water emerges from the earth significantly warmer. The Omni Homestead Resort—a sprawling, historic luxury estate that has hosted 23 U.S. Presidents—was built directly atop these geothermal vents.
Located less than an hour from the Blue Ridge Parkway (via the Asheville corridors) and situated directly on the French Broad River, the aptly named town of Hot Springs is the only true geothermal hot spring in North Carolina. Rather than a large communal pool, the facility pumps the natural thermal water directly into a series of private, outdoor jacuzzi-style tubs nestled along the forested banks of the river and Spring Creek.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Glen Canyon is a 1.2 million-acre park that spans the scenic desert landscape from the bottom of Canyonlands National Park to the tip of Grand Canyon National Park.
Located just minutes from the Glen Canyon boundary, Amangiri is the ultimate expression of desert wellness. Built into a protected valley with views of the Grand Staircase-Escalante, the spa is a 25,000-square-foot sanctuary.
If you’ve been to Arizona or the southwest US, you know the blazing heat of the summer is not the best time to be looking for hot springs. Arizona hot springs are the definitive "wild" desert experience. They sit in a sheer-walled slot canyon where 111°F water cascades over a 20-foot ladder into sandbagged pools.
Dixie Hot Springs (historically known as Pah Tempe or La Verkin Hot Springs) has been privatized and transformed from a rustic, natural area into a high-end commercial resort called Zion Canyon Hot Springs.
Located in the ruins of a 1920s resort, Verde Hot Springs offers a "post-apocalyptic" wellness experience. It was Al Capone’s resort but it was washed away by a huge flood. The main tub is built into a concrete terrace decorated with local art, overlooking the wild Verde River.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a masterpiece of coastal preservation, encompassing nearly 82,000 acres of wind-swept cliffs, redwood canyons, and historical military bastions.
Onsite at the Recreation Area, the Cavallo Point Spa is housed in the restored officers' quarters of Fort Baker. While the water is not a "geothermal spring" in the volcanic sense, their meditation pool is a heated, mineral-enriched sanctuary designed for post-hiking recovery.
Indian Spring Resort and Spa is the most iconic of the town’s resorts, featuring a massive Olympic-sized mineral pool built in 1913. The springs are a little over an hour north of Golden Gate and in wine country, so serve as a good day trip. The water comes from four geysers on the property that emerge at 212°F (100°C). The pool is open until midnight and is a perfect 100 degrees for a night cap swim or float.
Recently renovated with a focus on "retro-wellness," Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs has been a staple of the region since 1952. If you have capacity you can visit this at the same time as Indian Springs as they are both in Calistoga.
I used my Resort Pass daypass here for $90 and stayed from 9 am to 9 pm, so well worth it. Plus if you are new to Resort Pass you get a $20 coupon.
A bit further north but an essential "connoisseur" stop, Vichy Springs is famous for its "Champagne Baths." These are naturally carbonated mineral baths—one of only three such springs in the world (the others being in France and the Czech Republic). It was a favorite of Mark Twain and Jack London.
Grand Canyon National Park
While the Grand Canyon National Park itself is famously "dry" on its upper rims, the surrounding Coconino Plateau and the deep recesses of the Colorado River corridor hide thermal seeps and world-class wellness retreats.
From deep within the Bradshaw Mountains of Arizona, a mineral elixir debuts above ground in a stunning canyon at Castle Hot Springs. These springs are about 3 hours south of the Gran Canyon. Once a retreat for the Rockefellers and JFK, this recently restored luxury resort sits on a natural 120°F spring that produces 200,000 gallons of mineral-rich water daily.
While not a "hot spring" in the geothermal sense, Mii Amo is globally recognized as one of the top destination spas near the Grand Canyon - about 2 and a half hours south. It is built into the red rocks of Boynton Canyon, focusing on the "vortex" energy and mineral therapies of the Sedona region.
While technically "cool" (a constant 70°F), Havasu Falls is the most famous mineral-water destination inside the Grand Canyon. The travertine pools are created by high levels of calcium carbonate, which also gives the water its world-famous turquoise hue.
Great Smoky Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a sanctuary of ancient temperate rainforests, rolling blue mists, and unparalleled biodiversity. Straddling the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, it is the most visited national park in the United States.
The Hot Springs Resort and Spa is the only true hot spring nearby. Rather than a communal pool, the resort pumps this pristine water into private, outdoor cabanas perched directly along the banks of the French Broad River and Spring Creek in North Carolina.
Fontana Lake sits just south of the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina. Perched high in the canopy overlooking Fontana Lake and the distant peaks of the Smokies, The Lakeview at Fontana boutique mountain inn is famous for its completely secluded Treetop Soaking Cabanas.
For something closer, try the Swag. Perched directly on the boundary line of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, The Swag is an exclusive, highly sustainable mountaintop hideaway. While they do not have public soaking pools, their luxury cabins feature private outdoor soaking tubs and saunas overlooking the national park.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
The Gulf Islands National Seashore is a sprawling, cross-border masterpiece of coastal preservation. Stretching 160 miles from the oak-shadowed bayous of Mississippi to the sugar-white dunes of the Florida Panhandle and the wide beaches in Texas, this region is defined by its crystalline waters and resilient biodiversity.
While located a few hours' drive east of the main seashore districts near Sarasota Florida, Warm Mineral Springs is the only true natural geothermal warm spring in the region. It is a sinkhole of immense geological and archaeological importance, discharging 9 million gallons of mineral-rich water daily at a constant 87°F (30.5°C).
Located just minutes from the Davis Bayou Area of the Seashore in Mississippi and walking distance from the beach, the Beau Rivage offers a sophisticated "Maritime Thermal" experience. It utilizes high-end hydrotherapy circuits that mimic the mineral-rich environment of the Gulf. Adjacent to the Henderson Beach State Park (which borders the Seashore’s Okaloosa area), "Salamander Spa" offers a "Dune-Inspired" mineral experience.
Joshua Tree National Park
There are plenty of hot springs sprinkled throughout southern California - from the oceanside to the deserts. I took two weeks to hit the hot springs trail from Santa Barbara to the Death Valley area.
Joshua Tree National Park is iconic - I camped onsite and was in awe of the Joshua trees jutting out of the sand as the sunset. I stayed at Black Rock campground, but there are many campsites scattered across the park.
The closest nearby town, Two Bunch Palms feels like it's integrated with the dessert itself- an oasis that feels more natural and grounded. Legend has it Al Capone sought refuge here, but today’s "capone" is a leader in sustainability—it was the first carbon-neutral resort in North America. This may be why there are so many hot springs and spas near town.
One of the newer additions to the Miracle Hill skyline, Azure Palm Resort offers a massive layout with an emphasis on the "Himalayan Salt Room" and in-room mineral tubs.
For those who want a "transportive" experience, El Morocco Inn & Spa delivers a Moroccan-themed oasis complete with mint tea, nightly "Moroccotinis," and 24-hour access to the mineral pools.
Desert Hot Springs Spa Hotel is a larger facility that feels more like a traditional resort, making it an excellent choice for those coming down from a long day of hiking in Joshua Tree who don't want the "silence" of the smaller boutiques.
Olympic National Park
I love Washington for the wild coast, only rainforest in the U.S., killer whales, and it’s rugged hot springs. The Olympic Peninsula is a land of moss-draped silence and jagged, rain-shadowed peaks.
Located deep within Olympic National Park’s northwest corner, Sol Duc is the premier destination for those who want the "miracle water" of the S'Klallam people with the convenience of a historic resort. Located deep within Olympic National Park’s northwest corner, Sol Duc is the premier destination for those who want the "miracle water" of the S'Klallam people with the convenience of a historic resort.
Olympic Hot Springs, right in Olympic National Park, has returned to a wild state. Located in the Boulder Creek drainage, these natural rock-lined pools offer a "primitive" soak that requires a significant journey due to ongoing road washouts and the historic Elwha River restoration. There are at least 20 pools - some pools are right along the trail, others are a bit more secluded.
If you want to escape the city but don’t feel like a hike, Doe Bay Resort is for you! Accessible via a ferry from the Peninsula/Anacortes, Doe Bay is a legendary "soak with a view."
Scenic Hot Springs is east of Seattle near Mt Baker and operates on a strict reservation-only system to prevent environmental degradation. This is a popular hot spring and booking is needed months in advance. The hot springs facilities include a pit toilet, changing area, cleaning station, a warm pool, hot pool, and “cold” plunge.
Carson Hot Springs Resort offers a glimpse into the 1930s era of wellness. But this one is a trek from the park, 5 hours south. There’s a really big mineral hot tub, open to the public with a cold plunge tub as well. They have multiple soaking areas - Hot therapy pool 104 °F, cold spring avg. 60 °F; hot tub 104 °F, bathhouses- have option to add cold spring water - naturally 110-126 °F.
Gamma is one of the most remote hot springs in the United States, buried deep in the heart of the Cascades. Gamma hot springs is anothe rone that made our list of favorite hot springs hikes.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Located about an hour south of Pictured Rocks, Kitch-iti-kipi is Michigan’s largest natural freshwater spring. While it is a "cold spring" at a constant 45°F, it is the spiritual heart of the region's water culture.
For those willing to drive further west into the Keweenaw Peninsula, Mount Bohemia offers the most authentic "hot-and-cold" thermal circuit in the Midwest. This Nordic spa features the largest outdoor hot tub in the Upper Peninsula, a Finnish sauna, and a eucalyptus steam room.
Takka Superior is a flagship sanctuary of the Finnish sauna tradition. Perched on the rocky shores of Lake Superior, this is where the "hot spring" experience becomes a ritual of human-made heat and natural cold. We did the sunset sauna. It was so relaxing and the view was beautiful. It was fun being able to use the lake as a cold plunge, and It was so nice to sit out by the fire and enjoy the sound of the waves after.
San Antonio Missions National Historic Park
I often travel to experience the outdoors and there are plenty of fun outdoor activities to do in Texas. But a visit to the San Antonio Missions is about going back in time - to explore culture.
Located approximately one hour east of San Antonio near Palmetto State Park, Ottine Springs is the most authentic "natural" mineral soak in the region.
Sitting directly on the Mission Reach of the River Walk, Camp Hot Wells is the modern resurrection of the legendary Hot Wells Resort. You need to make reservations for the private tubs (there is a spot with two claw foot tubs for two individuals or a spot with a barrel type tub that fits two).
For those who want to balance their visit to the San Antonio Missions with absolute luxury, the Mokara is the only Forbes 4-Star spa in the city. Located in a historic building downtown, it doesn't feature "wild" springs, but it utilizes sophisticated hydrotherapy circuits, including eucalyptus-infused steam rooms and whirlpools that mirror the mineral-rich history of the city's aquifers.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite is beautiful anytime of year. I prefer to go near the end of winter when the snow tops the waterfalls and peaks like half dome. It's also the best time to go to hot springs because they feel so good after a winter hike. While not a hot spring, the wellness services offered within Yosemite Valley (at the Yosemite Valley Lodge and The Ahwahnee) are essential for the park visitor.
Travertine hot springs is one of my favorite Sierra hot springs. I took my kids here one cold winter morning. The car said 15F but we sucked it up and gave it a shot. The springs are a short walk from the parking lot and not very busy with crazy melting rocks and built in baths.
Buckeye hot springs offers a more "wild" experience than Travertine. The springs cascade down a hillside into rock-walled pools sitting right on the edge of Buckeye Creek.
Located at a historic stagecoach station east of Yosemite, Benton Hot Springs offers a "private natural" experience. You can rent campsites or rooms that feature their own private redwood tubs fed directly by the natural hot springs.
Sitting just outside the South Entrance to Yosemite, Tenaya Lodge offers a high-end "Forest Thermal" experience. This is not a wild spring, but a sophisticated spa that utilizes the minerals and botanicals of the Sierra to create a professional wellness circuit.
Adjacent to the Big Oak Flat entrance, Rush Creek Lodge recently opened a state-of-the-art spa that emphasizes "Indoor-Outdoor" wellness. It is inspired by the textures of Yosemite, featuring a magnesium-rich pool and cold-plunge experiences.
Located in the heart of the Long Valley Caldera, Wild Willy’s (also known as Crowley Hot Springs) features a long wooden boardwalk that leads to two large, heart-shaped pools. A 5-7 min easy walk leads to 3-4 small pools that can hold 8-10. One of them are pretty hot and the others are warm hot.
