Indiana’s Top Hot Springs and Spas For Healing
While Indiana might not be the first state that comes to mind for natural hot springs, hidden beneath its rolling plains and verdant forests lie geothermal treasures.
French Lick Springs
From the time the French Lick Springs Hotel was originally built in the mid-1800s, it has prioritized health and wellness in the guest experience. This legacy is deeply rooted in the famous “miracle waters” of the area’s naturally occurring mineral springs that were said to cure any ailment. The tradition of providing rest, relaxation and rejuvenation continues today at our world-class spas.
French Lick Resort is a historic spa destination renowned for its mineral springs. While the Pluto Spring water is no longer available for bathing (due to its high lithium content), the resort offers a variety of indoor and outdoor soaking pools with treated mineral water.
Experience complete relaxation at The Spa at West Baden, featuring a two-level natatorium housing our full-service spa with 12 treatment rooms, and health club with an indoor lap pool.
Guests must be 18 years or older to receive body treatments, massages and facials, and to use spa amenities. Guests ages 12-17 can receive nail treatments when accompanied by a parent or guardian who is 18 or older.
Stay nearby at Copper Cottage French Lick, a spacious holiday home with six bedrooms and three bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen.
Mudlavia Resort
In the early 1900s, the proprietors of the Mudlavia Mud Cure and Lithia Water Baths in Kramer, Indiana, promoted a treatment for painful “rheumatism” (a catch-all term for what today might include osteoarthritis) that involved packing one’s body in hot mud and then bathing in hot water once a day for several days—often up to three weeks’ time.
A 1905 promotional brochure, “Mud More Valuable than Gold,” promised “that all conditions for the health, rest or pleasure seeker are everything that can be desired . . . as full of comfort as sunshine, cheery decoration, antique oak and luxurious rugs can make them.”
The Mudlavia site operated as a hotel for a while, then became housing for the elderly and infirm, was later made over into a restaurant, burned in another fire in 1974, and was finally abandoned.
Its springs, however, still flow; the water is tapped across the road from the former hotel and sold in bottles bearing the Cameron Springs label.
Sugar Creek Retreat
Sugar Creek Retreat began in 2015 with two lovingly remodeled properties adjacent to Shades State Park. Shades is the "Yosemite of Indiana". The local area is the covered bridge capital of the U.S. The inclusion of the park pass with the stay was a great surprise when we arrived.
In 2024, they expanded their offerings by adding a spa building with a 12-person sauna and outdoor hydrotherapy circuit - Kuusi Nordic Spa.
Our time was spent using the hot/cold emersion pools, massage chairs, salt float and cold/sauna room. Robes, towels, coffee, tea and water were provided at no charge. You’ll need to bring a swimsuit, flip flops.
If you stay in the cabins, enjoy the breakfast. The breakfast was amazing, with a huge variety of fresh fruit, berries, pastries, cereals, OJ, and bread for toast. We love the cabin and how close it is to the Nature Preserve and Shades. This year we also went hiking at Turkey Run (which is only about a 10-15 minute drive).
Indianapolis Salt Cave and Halotherapy Center
The Indianapolis Salt Cave is located in a historic firehouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The salt cave experience is 45 minutes, you’ll sit in the room with up to 10 people. Blankets are provided as well as a warm salt stone (nice touch) to keep your hands warm during the visit. There was soft music playing and the sound of a babbling brook in the background. The great thing about the cave is that it’s free to kids 8 and under with a paying adult, but you need to call ahead. The salt in the air will not ruin any clothing, it will simply leave light salt particles on clothing that can simply be brushed off.
Note: Wearing strong colognes, perfumes, essential oils, and any other fragrant-type cosmetics is to be avoided out of respect for our other visitors.
You can also enjoy the Hand and Foot Detox treatment where you sit in comfortable over-stuffed chairs and put your hands and feet on heated Himalayan salt blocks. The salt blocks are heated between 85 – 95 degrees and will cause your hands and feet to sweat. This pulls out toxins and heavy metals from your body as well as replenishes your body with 84 different trace minerals.
