Natural Hot Springs in the United States

1. Hot Springs Arkansas

Hot Springs National Park is located north of the town of Hot Springs in Garland County, Arkansas, and boasts no less than 47 natural thermal hot springs. The recuperative properties of the waters were revered by local Native American tribes long before the arrival of settlers, and by the late 18th century Hot Springs was a favorite vacation destination. Start your tour at the visitors center located in the historic Fordyce Bathhouse and then explore Bathhouse Row, which contains a further seven historic bathhouses. Of course you will want to try a traditional bath at the Buckstaff Baths, which were fashioned after European spas of the 18th century. Other activities in the park include hiking, shopping, dining, and relaxing.

2. Hot Springs North Carolina

The town of Hot Springs North Carolina has been a popular spa destination since the late 1700,s when people began to make pilgrimages over long distances to experience the restorative properties of the natural mineral-rich thermal waters. Today, visitors to Hot Springs NC can expect a complete vacation and spa experience at the Hot Springs Resort and Spa, where modern hot tubs are located outdoors along the river banks. In addition to relaxing in the waters, the resort offers the services of massage therapists. The surrounding mountainous area (close to the famous Appalachian Trail) is a wonderful destination for hikers and nature lovers and the Hot Springs Campground offers sites for both tents and RV’s.

3. Faywood Hot Springs Resort

At the rustic Faywood Hot Springs Resort in New Mexico you can enjoy the unique experience of bathing in natural hot thermal waters in the middle of the desert. The resort offers a variety of outdoor pools, all of which are fed by the natural geothermal springs. You can choose from private pools at various different temperatures and there is even an option to go skinny-dipping in the “clothing optional” pools, which are very popular with naturalists. There are also some indoor thermal baths and there is overnight accommodation in self-catering cabins or at the campsite, where you can park your RV or pitch your tent.

Faywood Hot Springs Resort, 165 Highway 61, Faywood, New Mexico, 88034, Phone: 575-536-9663

4. Glen Ivy Hot Springs

Since 1860, Glen Ivy Hot Springs in the Santa Ana Mountains have been attracting thousands of health enthusiasts to come and relax in one of nature’s greatest gifts, the naturally occurring hot mineral springs. When you visit Glen Ivy today you will step into one of America’s largest health spas, which can boast no less than 19 thermal pools and offers a full range of associated spa treatments and experiences. You can get hot and sweaty in one of the brand new saunas and try a cleansing red clay mud treatment, a relaxing massage, or a soothing facial. The resort is spread over a large scenic area and offers delicious healthy cuisine to complement your hot spring experience.

Glen Ivy Hot Springs, 25000 Glen Ivy Rd, Corona, CA 92883, Phone: 888-453-6489

5. Montezuma Hot Springs

Visitors to Las Vegas can escape the glitz and glamour for a few hours and head off 6 miles northwest of the city to find the Montezuma Hot Springs, which have been revered for hundreds of years for their mineral-rich healing powers. The naturally hot bubbling waters have been dammed into a series of cement pools of varying sizes and temperatures, set along the scenic Gallinas River, in close proximity to several historic buildings, which you can admire after your soak in the pools. The Lobster Pot and the Africa Pool are two fiery natural rock pools for the brave. Located and maintained on private property belonging to the United World College, entrance to these great hot springs is free of charge.

6. Iron Mountain Hot Springs

Iron Mountain Hot Springs is a newly-opened mineral springs spa and resort in Glenwood Springs, opened to the public in 2015 by couples Jeanne and Steve Beckley and Coop and Mogli Cooper.

The facility is home to relaxing and invigorating pool and spa areas with waters rich with more than 14 minerals, including sulfate and iron, which are known for their relaxing, healing properties. A large family pool pumps 100,000 gallons of water, while 16 smaller pools are connected by heated walkways. An onsite bathhouse is also offered, along with the casual Sopris Cafe, which served up wrap sandwiches and flatbread pizzas.

281 Centennial Street, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, Phone: 970-945-4766

7. Warm Mineral Springs

Rumored to be the Fountain of Youth famously sought by the Ponce de Lyon back in the 1500s, Warm Mineral Springs is a little-known natural thermal pool located close to North Port in Florida. The springs have an interesting history and archaeological evidence has been found that suggests that the pool was known to ancient civilizations, which regarded it as a sacred site and buried their dead around the edges of the pool. Today visitors can spend a few hours soaking up the health-giving properties of the 85-degree waters in an attractive park-like area and avail themselves of a variety of pre-bookable spa treatments.

Warm Mineral Springs, 12200 San Servando Ave, North Point, FL 34287, Phone: 941-426-1692

8. Deep Creek Hot Springs

The Deep Creek Hot Springs are nestled at the base of a deep crevice in the San Bernardino National Forest near the town of Apple Valley. You can reach the springs via a fairly short 2.5-mile hiking trail from Bowen Ranch, which drops quite steeply to reach Deep Creek – consequently you need to be prepared for a strenuous hike back up to the trailhead. Once you cross Deep Creek you will find about five or six differing hot pools to try – the temperature of the water varies from pool to pool and can be anything from pleasantly warm to really hot. If you need to cool off, you can hop into the chilly waters of the creek. Bring plenty of drinking water and sunscreen.

Deep Creek Hot Springs, 6100 Bowen Ranch Rd, Apple Valley, CA 92307, Phone: 900-382-2790

9. Gila National Forest

If you are visiting the fascinating Gila Cliff Dwelling National Monument near Silver City in New Mexico, it is well worth your while to hike up to see some of the natural hot springs in the area. Starting at the Gila Visitor’s Center<, a 20-minute walk along trail 157 will bring you to Light Feather Hot Spring, where you will find water pumping from the base of a deep canyon at around 130 degrees – probably a bit too hot for most people to want to bathe in. If you are up for a longer hike, you can reach the popular Jordan Hot Springs, which fill up a very pleasant three-foot deep pool with mineral-rich thermal waters at about 90 degrees – just right for a good soak after your hike.

10. Tecopa Hot Springs Resort

Located just east of Death Valley National Park and about 80 miles from Las Vegas, Nevada, the Tecopa Hot Springs Resort offers an affordable opportunity to enjoy the healing mineral waters of the Tecopa Hot Springs. The resort has a number of options for overnight accommodation – you can rent a cabin, lodge room, or campsite, all of which will entitle you to enjoy the mineralized hot tubs at no extra cost. There are a total of five private soaking tubs available on a first-come first-served basis; the resort pumps the natural thermal waters into these tubs, located in the bath house or the motel, so that you can enjoy their restorative properties in private.

Tecopa Hot Springs Resort, 860 Tecopa Hot Springs Rd, Tecopa CA 92389, Phone: 760-852-4420