5 Gorgeous Hot Springs in the United States You Need to Visit

There are natural hot springs all over the United States. For centuries, people have been using these mineral-filled waters that flow up from deep underground where they are geothermally heated to treat all kinds of ailments. Many involve a long hike into remote regions where the only lodging is the tent that you hiked in with. However, others are less remote. Many of the hot springs in the country can be accessed while staying at hotels and even luxury resorts. Typically, they are also in close proximity to other attractions and fun experiences as well. From Alaska to Arkansas, these five hot springs will have you wanting to book your next vacation as soon as possible.

5 Hot Springs to Visit in the United States

There are multitudes of hot springs in the United States. These five just scratch the surface of the opportunities to soak in naturally warm thermal waters. Some offer luxury spa experiences while others have a more simple setup. However, these five all offer unique experiences such as views of the northern lights, proximity to Napa Valley wineries, or a national park that is actually in the middle of a city. There are all kinds of attractions that visitors can also enjoy while visiting these hot springs. The other thing they all have in common is an opportunity to soak in one way or another — from outdoor lakes to indoor pools and tubs. Check out these amazing hot spring experiences.

Chena Hot Springs Resort

In the farthest reaches of the country are natural hot springs where you can view the beautiful lights of the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, as you soak in the warm waters. Chena Hot Springs is located in Fairbanks, Alaska. The recorded history of these thermal waters dates back to the early 1900s, but there is evidence that these healing waters were used by indigenous people even before then. While the waters are timeless, the resort here was started when weary gold miners discovered that soaking in these warm waters helped their tired bodies. 

Chena Hot Springs Resort offers an outdoor mineral lake, an indoor heated pool, and both outdoor and indoor hot tubs. The outdoor lake is where visitors can enjoy the natural hot springs water. Spend a few nights at the resort and relax in the lake and indoor pools daily (access is included with your visit) or just visit for the day with a Hot Springs Day Pass.

The outdoor lake is where some of the best views in the country of the northern lights takes place. That is because Chena is located under the most active band of northern lights in Alaska, along with the fact that it is away from the light pollution of the city. The northern lights can be seen most frequently at night here between August and May from around 10:00 pm and 3:00 am. 

Among the other activities visitors can enjoy at Chena is the Aurora Ice Museum. This incredible spot was created from over 1,000 tons of ice and snow sourced right there at the resort. The museum stays a cool 25° Fahrenheit, but do not worry about staying warm while visiting. They provide parkas for visitors before entering! Then enjoy a 45-minute guided tour of the museum before having time to roam the museum and take pictures. Afterward, adults over the age of 21 can enjoy a drink served in an ice glass at the ice bar.

There are a few other hot springs in proximity to Fairbanks, but none that are quite as close or offer the same sort of experience.

READ MORE: Where to See Northern Lights For a Remarkable Experience

Calistoga Spa Hot Springs

Located in the heart of Upper Napa Valley, the hot springs in Calistoga, California, are well-known. This area is renowned for its hot springs and mineral pools. The springs here were discovered when the area’s indigenous residents, the Wappo tribe, settled here somewhere around 8,000 years ago. They believed the waters had healing powers, an idea that is still prevalent today. 

There are a number of hot springs in Calistoga, ranging from the more rustic and low-key to the more lavish. The Calistoga Spa Hot Springs is at the luxury end of that spectrum. Here you can enjoy a glass of Napa Valley wine and enjoy the hot springs with temperatures that range from 80 to 104° Fahrenheit or the many spa services on offer. Besides the hot springs, do not miss the chance to take advantage of their volcanic ash mud baths. These mud baths are a centuries-old ritual used to improve joint and muscle pain while removing dirt and toxins from your skin, leaving you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

There are also over 60 wineries and tasting rooms in Calistoga, with a number of tasting rooms just steps from Calistoga Spa and Hot Springs (or one of the other nearby resorts offering hot spring experiences) if you are a lover of wine. Here you can have the full Napa Valley experience while also enjoying the healing thermal waters. Calistoga makes a perfect escape for couples looking for a romantic getaway.

Hot Springs National Park 

Hot Springs National Park is found in none other than Hot Springs Arkansas. This unique national park is an urban park nestled in the heart of downtown Hot Springs. There is a network of forested hiking trails, pretty mountain views, the thermal springs, and abundant creeks that are all part of the park for visitors looking to escape the feeling of city life, but unlike many national parks, Hot Springs is surrounded by shops, restaurants, and other attractions. Also unlike most national parks, there is no entrance fee to visit the park, so you can walk around and enjoy the park as much as you want while you are in the area.

Obviously, a big part of the draw of Hot Springs National Park is the natural springs. There are no outdoor opportunities to soak in the springs here. Instead, there are two bathhouses currently in operation in the park that both offer visitors the chance to fully submerge and relax in the thermal water that is piped directly into the bathhouses. 

Found on what is known as Bathhouse Row because of the multiple bathhouses that were once in operation here, the Buckstaff Bathhouse was originally opened in 1912 and offers everything from a simple whirlpool bath to a deluxe bathing package that includes a paraffin treatment and full-body massage. The Quapaw Bathhouse offers modern-day spa services with amenities like thermal pools, private baths, and a steam cave. Here you can indulge yourself in a full spa experience or just visit the thermal hot springs baths. There are fees to experience any of the services at both bathhouses but there are affordable options.

Although you cannot take a dip in the hot springs anywhere outdoors, there are two places within the park — Display Spring and Hot Water Cascade — where visitors can touch the thermal water. Even though the water comes out of the ground at 147° Fahrenheit, it is cool enough to touch by the time it reaches the pools. Display Spring is located directly behind Bathhouse Row. Shaded by trees, and surrounded by mosses and blue-green algae, this is a great place to relax and listen to the sounds of running water. Hot Water Cascade is the largest visible spring in the park. Hot water comes from a nearby hillside and flows under the path down a steep cliff into two pools. 

There are ample hiking and biking opportunities in the park. You can also visit the Hot Springs Mountain Tower, which offers a view of the hot springs unlike any other. There are also tons of shopping, lodging, and dining experiences in the area, so visitors can keep busy beyond the hot springs. 

READ MORE: 10 of the Best Bed and Breakfast Places to Visit in North America

Carson Mineral Hot Springs

Carson Hot Springs Golf and Spa Resort is a historic spot located on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge in Carson, Washington, 50 miles east of Portland. This Victorian-styled resort was open to the public in the 1880s, while the historic hotel, which is still in operation, was built and opened in 1901. The old bathhouse, which is fed from the Wind River, still functions and offers thermal mineral baths almost the same way as nearly 100 years ago.

The resort is rustic and does not claim to offer any glitz and glamor. Instead, this resort and hot springs are a place to decompress and detach from everyday life. A fee is required for bathhouse services, but the indoor mineral water pool can be used by visitors staying at the resort for no extra charge. Day visitors can also soak in the mineral pool for a small day-use fee.

The scenery here is gorgeous since you are tucked away in the beautiful forest that surrounds the Columbia River Gorge. Take advantage of the views at the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and spend the rest of your time relaxing far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Of course, you can also take advantage of the golf course here if you enjoy hitting the links.

Do not miss the opportunity to visit Falls Creek Falls in Central Gorge inside Gifford Pinchot National Forest. There is no permit or pass needed to visit here. An easy three-and-a-half-mile hike along the beautiful Falls Creek leads visitors to Falls Creek Falls, one of southern Washington’s highest waterfalls at 335 feet. The sight is worth the hike.

READ MORE: The 8 Best Places for Camping in Arkansas By Region

Hot Springs State Park

Along the Bighorn River in Thermopolis, Wyoming, water from mineral hot springs flows beautifully over terraces at a constant temperature of 135° Fahrenheit. These terraces were used by Native Americans for their therapeutic benefits. Today the park has a free bathhouse where the water is kept at 104° Fahrenheit, perfect for therapeutic bathing. There is no fee for using the bathhouse, but there is a small charge for renting towels and swimsuits. The bathhouse is open seven days a week except during holidays. Attendants are available to assist visitors with their needs. There is a 30-minute soaking time limit per session. 

A winding, concrete walkway at the top of the terraces of pools provides a view of algae and mineral formations on the bluffs overlooking the Bighorn River. Hot Springs State Park also has miles of hiking trails, fishing access, a couple of boat docks, and group picnic shelters that can be reserved. 

Nearby the park, the Plaza Hotel, constructed in 1914, and a more recently built Holiday Inn accommodate park visitors. Each hotel has its own hot mineral water swimming pools open to the public.

Other attractions in the area beside the hot springs include viewing the Hot Springs State Bison Herd. The herd averages more than 20 animals at the moment and freely roams within the boundaries of the park pasture for most of the year. There is also a suspension bridge across the Bighorn River that is commonly called “The Swinging Bridge.” The bridge offers a unique vantage point for viewing the Bighorn River and hot springs terraces.

If you are interested in dinosaurs and fossils, be sure to make a visit to the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis. Some of the fossils on display here were discovered in the hills just ten minutes away from the museum. Some of the most amazing fossils ever found — in the area, across Wyoming, and even in other parts of the world — are displayed here.

A Few Tips Before You Go

Here are a few quick tips before you head out for your relaxing hot springs getaway. The hot springs detailed here all have developed hot springs, meaning they feature manmade elements and improvements like bathhouses with tubs and pools. They often regulate the water temperature, and in some cases, the water is disinfected with cleaning agents. These also often have spas and other services on offer by the host resort, creating a luxury, therapeutic experience for visitors beyond just the natural thermal waters.

However, if you are more of an adventurer, there are also multitudes of undeveloped hot springs in the United States. These are also known as wild or backcountry hot springs and feature no to few manmade improvements. The thermal water is collected in a natural basin in the earth or rocks. These springs are often remote and can sometimes require quite a hike to reach. Both types of springs can make an awesome vacation; they just offer quite different experiences.

Make sure you test the water before jumping in, especially if you are getting ready to soak somewhere undeveloped or unattended. Some hot springs are scalding hot while others are lukewarm. Depending on how hot the water is, it is not good to soak for more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Otherwise, it can cause severe heat-related illnesses. Also, be sure to take lots of breaks and make sure you are drinking enough water to stay hydrated.

In some instances, bacteria can be found in hot springs pools, so be sure not to ingest the water or submerge your head as a precaution.

Be aware that some hot springs can have a funny odor to them. That is because of the particular elements and minerals found in the water. For instance, some have naturally occurring sulfur compounds, which characteristically have an eggy odor. One interesting thing to note is that the deeper the hot springs and the faster it sends water to the surface, the stronger the smell will be. But do not worry about it. There is nothing wrong with the water, and it is perfectly fine to soak in if you detect a funny sulfur smell.

Now that you know all the important things, it is time to sit back, relax, and let the soothing waters cure what ails you.

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There are more hot springs to explore in the United States besides these five. You can visit the Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park. Visit one of the 100 hot springs found in Virginia, including some known to have been used by Thomas Jefferson himself. Or hike to Diamond Fork Hot Springs found about two and a half miles from the main trailhead in Diamond Fork Canyon, Utah. Whatever type of experience you are looking for in your hot springs adventure, you can surely find it at one of the gorgeous hot springs in the United States.

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