Hot springs in Colorado in winter

Soaking in winter

Winter is the best time of year for most hot springs. The water feels hotter, the steam comes off the pools and the crowds thin out after the holidays. The catch is getting there. Forest roads close or go unplowed from November, trailheads disappear under snow, and a spring that was a five minute walk in September can be a long ski in January.

Every spring on this page has a winter note from its official source or recent trip reports. Resorts and town pools keep running all season, though many change their hours, so check their website before you drive. For wild springs, carry chains, tell someone where you are going, and check the spring page on the day. Our daily check flags Forest Service closures and National Weather Service winter storm warnings.

Open all winter (22)

Resorts, town pools and roadside springs on plowed roads. Most are open daily; a few close on holidays or midweek.

1. Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa

   Resort with lodging, open daily.

2. Dakota Hot Springs

   Open six days a week beside US 50; reservation only.

3. Desert Reef Hot Springs

   Reservation entry; closed Tuesdays except overnight guests.

4. Dunton Hot Springs

   Open year-round; only the Dolores road is open in winter.

5. Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa

   Open year-round; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

6. Glenwood Hot Springs Resort

   Large resort open daily; occasional maintenance closures.

7. Healing Waters Resort & Spa

   Pools open daily 11am to 10pm.

8. Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa

   Open daily year-round, 8am to 9:45pm.

9. Indian Hot Springs

   Historic spa in town, open daily.

10. Iron Mountain Hot Springs

    Open year-round; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

11. Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa

    Daily day guest hours on Highway 17.

12. Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort

    Open 9am to 9pm daily, year-round.

13. Old Town Hot Springs

    Town pools open daily; early weekday hours.

14. Orvis Hot Springs

    Day use daily 9am to 9pm.

15. Ouray Hot Springs Pool

    Open all winter; steam rises below snowy peaks.

16. Overlook Hot Springs Spa

    Downtown spa opens 9am daily.

17. Pagosa Hot Springs

    Open year-round; fall through spring recommended.

18. Penny Hot Springs

    Open year-round; good soaking summer through winter.

19. Sand Dunes Recreation

    Winter hours 1pm to 8pm; closed Thursdays.

20. Twin Peaks Lodge & Hot Springs

    Lodge in Ouray; day passes 8am to 7pm.

21. Wiesbaden Hot Springs Spa & Lodgings

    Lodge in Ouray town; day soaks daily from 9am.

22. Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves

    Downtown spa open daily 9am to 9pm.

Worth the extra effort (2)

Reachable in winter, but with a gated road, a snowy trail, a 4WD requirement or a boat. Plan ahead and turn back if conditions are bad.

1. Radium Hot Springs

   Trailhead open year-round; 0.8 mile hike.

2. Strawberry Park Hot Springs

   4WD or AWD with snow tires or chains required Nov to May.

Snowed in until spring (3)

These springs are closed or out of reach in a normal winter, usually because the road or trail is buried. They are not on the map above. Check back from late spring.

1. Conundrum Hot Springs

   Trail snow covered Oct to June; avalanche hazard.

2. Piedra River Hot Springs

   Forest Road 622 closed in winter.

3. Rainbow Hot Springs

   Snow blocks trail; 2025 flood washed out bridges.