Hot springs 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 (97)

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

1. Chena Hot Springs Resort, Alaska

   Paved road, open year-round; Interior Alaska winter driving.

2. Manley Hot Springs Resort, Alaska

   Elliott Highway maintained year-round; ice and snow.

3. Essence of Tranquility, Arizona

   Tubs and lodging operating; hours vary by season.

4. Kachina Mineral Springs, Arizona

   By appointment, Tuesday to Saturday.

5. Benton Hot Springs, California

   Open; CA-120 may close in snow, use US 6 route.

6. Beverly Hot Springs, California

   City bathhouse, open daily 10am to 8pm.

7. Calistoga Spa Hot Springs, California

   Downtown hotel and spa, open year-round.

8. Desert Hot Springs Spa Hotel, California

   Motel spa; day use 8am to 10pm.

9. Elsinore Hot Springs & Lodge, California

   Open year-round; motel pool and jacuzzis.

10. Gaviota Hot Springs, California

    Short state park trail; popular fall to spring.

11. Glen Ivy Hot Springs, California

    Open daily 9:30am to 5pm; reservation required.

12. Grover Hot Springs State Park, California

    Open year-round; winter camping limited.

13. Harbin Hot Springs, California

    Open 24 hours, 365 days a year.

14. Indian Springs Calistoga, California

    Open daily year-round; pool pass needed.

15. Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel, California

    Pool open daily; winter weekdays least crowded.

16. Keough's Hot Springs, California

    Resort off US-395; hours vary by season.

17. Montecito Hot Springs, California

    Open year-round; 1.4 mile trail, closed on Red Flag days.

18. Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, California

    Day pass daily 9am to 10pm.

19. Sierra Hot Springs, California

    Day use Thursday to Sunday; evening soaks Wed to Sun.

20. The Spa at Séc-he, California

    Downtown Palm Springs spa; paid pass.

21. Vichy Springs Resort, California

    Baths and hot pool open year-round.

22. Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa, Colorado

    Resort with lodging, open daily.

23. Dakota Hot Springs, Colorado

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

24. Desert Reef Hot Springs, Colorado

    Reservation entry; closed Tuesdays except overnight guests.

25. Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado

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

26. Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa, Colorado

    Open year-round; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

27. Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, Colorado

    Large resort open daily; occasional maintenance closures.

28. Healing Waters Resort & Spa, Colorado

    Pools open daily 11am to 10pm.

29. Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa, Colorado

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

30. Indian Hot Springs, Colorado

    Historic spa in town, open daily.

31. Iron Mountain Hot Springs, Colorado

    Open year-round; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

32. Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa, Colorado

    Daily day guest hours on Highway 17.

33. Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, Colorado

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

34. Old Town Hot Springs, Colorado

    Town pools open daily; early weekday hours.

35. Orvis Hot Springs, Colorado

    Day use daily 9am to 9pm.

36. Ouray Hot Springs Pool, Colorado

    Open all winter; steam rises below snowy peaks.

37. Overlook Hot Springs Spa, Colorado

    Downtown spa opens 9am daily.

38. Pagosa Hot Springs, Colorado

    Open year-round; fall through spring recommended.

39. Penny Hot Springs, Colorado

    Open year-round; good soaking summer through winter.

40. Sand Dunes Recreation, Colorado

    Winter hours 1pm to 8pm; closed Thursdays.

41. Twin Peaks Lodge & Hot Springs, Colorado

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

42. Wiesbaden Hot Springs Spa & Lodgings, Colorado

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

43. Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves, Colorado

    Downtown spa open daily 9am to 9pm.

44. Challis Hot Springs, Idaho

    Paved road, any vehicle; open Tuesday to Sunday.

45. Downata Hot Springs, Idaho

    Hot pools open year-round; slides summer only.

46. Durfee Hot Springs, Idaho

    Open fewer days in winter; call before visiting.

47. Gold Fork Hot Springs, Idaho

    Access road maintained and plowed in winter.

48. Green Canyon Hot Springs, Idaho

    Off-season hours Labor Day to Memorial Day; closed Sundays.

49. Heise Hot Springs, Idaho

    Hot pool open year-round; check winter hours.

50. Lava Hot Springs, Idaho

    Town pools open winter hours, to 11pm Fri and Sat.

51. Miracle Hot Springs, Idaho

    Open year-round; closed Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas.

52. Roystone Hot Springs, Idaho

    Covered pool works in any season; reservation required.

53. Zim's Hot Springs, Idaho

    Open Wednesday to Sunday; check hours before you go.

54. Big Medicine Hot Springs, Montana

    Town pool, open year-round; cash box, no staff.

55. Boulder Hot Springs, Montana

    Day use daily 10am to 8pm.

56. Bozeman Hot Springs, Montana

    Large spa open daily; indoor and outdoor pools.

57. Chico Hot Springs, Montana

    Open daily all winter, off plowed Highway 89.

58. Jackson Hot Springs, Montana

    Day visits Thursday to Sunday; closed Mon to Wed.

59. Lolo Hot Springs, Montana

    Resort on US 12; winter popular with snowmobilers, call ahead.

60. Lost Trail Hot Springs, Montana

    Sept to June Friday to Sunday; ski area nearby.

61. Norris Hot Springs, Montana

    Open Thursday to Monday; closed Tuesday.

62. Quinn's Hot Springs, Montana

    Booked four-hour sessions daily.

63. Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs, Montana

    Indoor pools and sauna; resort operating.

64. Spa Hot Springs, Montana

    Open daily 7am to 10pm, year-round.

65. Symes Hot Springs, Montana

    Hotel in town, open daily.

66. Wild Horse Hot Springs, Montana

    Open year-round; two-hour day-use sessions.

67. Yellowstone Hot Springs, Montana

    Open Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 9pm.

68. Carson Hot Springs, Nevada

    City resort, daily hours; walk-ins welcome.

69. David Walley's Hot Springs, Nevada

    Hot springs open daily; summer-only Canyon Pool.

70. Steamboat Hot Springs, Nevada

    Private indoor rooms and outdoor tub; daily hours.

71. Faywood Hot Springs, New Mexico

    Open daily; prepaid reservation required.

72. Gila Hot Springs Campground, New Mexico

    Open year-round per owners; day use 8am to 6pm.

73. Jemez Springs, New Mexico

    Village bathhouses open; seasonal hours, closed Tuesdays.

74. Montezuma Hot Springs, New Mexico

    Free, open dawn to 10pm daily; no facilities.

75. Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort and Spa, New Mexico

    Day soaking 10am to 10pm daily; pools open.

76. Truth or Consequences Hot Springs, New Mexico

    Downtown bathhouses; Riverbend open daily.

77. Belknap Hot Springs Resort, Oregon

    Open 365 days; check Hwy 126 winter conditions.

78. Breitenbush Hot Springs, Oregon

    Open year-round; Hwy 22 cleared, retreat plows FS 46.

79. Crane Hot Springs, Oregon

    Open year-round on a paved highway.

80. Hot Lake Springs Resort, Oregon

    Day use daily 8am to 8pm; resort lodge.

81. Jackson Wellsprings, Oregon

    Hot tub open year-round; evening sessions.

82. McCredie Hot Springs, Oregon

    Roadside on Highway 58, usually soakable all winter.

83. Snively Hot Springs, Oregon

    Open year-round; river low in winter, best soaking.

84. Summer Lake Hot Springs, Oregon

    Outdoor pools open year-round; indoor pool seasonal.

85. Crystal Hot Springs, Utah

    Open with seasonal hours; check before going.

86. Homestead Crater, Utah

    Open daily year-round; closed April and May 2027.

87. Mystic Hot Springs, Utah

    Open year-round by reservation.

88. Saratoga Hot Springs, Utah

    Free city park with paved path; closes 10pm.

89. Zion Canyon Hot Springs, Utah

    Large resort open daily 10am to 11pm.

90. Bonneville Hot Springs Resort & Spa, Washington

    Reopened 2025 resort; pool access 7am to 10pm.

91. Carson Hot Springs Golf & Spa Resort, Washington

    Historic bathhouse open daily 9am to 8pm.

92. Astoria Hot Springs, Wyoming

    Open year-round; book ahead for ski season.

93. Fountain of Youth Mineral Pool, Wyoming

    Daily 7am to 9:30pm, year-round.

94. Hellie's TePee Pools, Wyoming

    Open daily year-round in Hot Springs State Park.

95. Hobo Hot Pool, Wyoming

    Open year-round; icy walkways possible.

96. Saratoga Hot Springs Resort, Wyoming

    Full-service resort with rooms, spa and pool.

97. Thermopolis State Bath House, Wyoming

    Open year-round; closed some winter holidays.

Best in winter: desert springs (16)

These low desert springs are too hot to enjoy in summer, and some trails are closed from May to September. Winter days are mild and the soaks are perfect.

1. Arizona Hot Springs, Arizona

   Trail closed May to Sept for heat; best October to April.

2. El Dorado Hot Spring, Arizona

   Closed July to Sept; fall and winter are best.

3. Kaiser Hot Spring, Arizona

   Best October to April; summer heat above 110F.

4. Agua Caliente County Park Hot Springs, California

   Park closed in summer heat; open Labor Day to Memorial Day.

5. Borehole Spring, California

   Late fall through winter recommended; hot-weather mud mites.

6. Delight's Hot Springs Resort, California

   Low desert resort; cooler months best, summers very hot.

7. Dirty Socks Hot Spring, California

   Open year-round; best spring, fall and winter.

8. Mercey Hot Springs, California

   Winter suggested; summer days reach 92F; day use noon to 5.

9. Palm Spring, Saline Valley, California

   Best October to April; summer over 110F; long 4WD road.

10. Sespe Hot Springs, California

    Winter more comfortable than summer heat; 15.5 mile hike.

11. Slab City Hot Springs, California

    Low desert; summer heat extreme, cooler months better.

12. Tecopa Hot Springs, California

    Low desert county park; cooler months best.

13. Willett Hot Springs, California

    Best fall, winter, spring; 9.5 mile hike, hot summers.

14. Blue Point Spring, Nevada

    Lake Mead desert; fall to early spring most comfortable.

15. Gold Strike Hot Springs, Nevada

    Trail closed May to Sept; best October to early May.

16. Rogers Spring, Nevada

    Low desert spring; cooler months are more comfortable.

Worth the extra effort (30)

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. Baranof Warm Springs, Alaska

   Boat access only; pools open year-round, winter transport limited.

2. Hutlinana Hot Springs, Alaska

   Best in winter by ski or snowmachine; 7 miles.

3. Selawik Hot Springs, Alaska

   Reachable only with snow cover, by snowmachine.

4. Serpentine Hot Springs, Alaska

   Open year-round; fly in or snowmachine in winter.

5. Tenakee Hot Springs, Alaska

   Ferry or floatplane only; reduced winter service.

6. Tolovana Hot Springs, Alaska

   Best in winter on packed trail; ski or snowmachine.

7. Castle Hot Springs, Arizona

   Last 7 miles of road need high clearance.

8. Crab Cooker Hot Spring, California

   Dirt road snowed in; park on Benton Crossing and snowshoe.

9. Rock Tub Hot Spring, California

   In snow or mud, park on main road and walk.

10. Travertine Hot Springs, California

    Dirt road unmaintained in winter; walk 1.5 miles each way.

11. Wild Willy's Hot Springs, California

    Road gated by snow; walk or snowshoe extra mile.

12. Radium Hot Springs, Colorado

    Trailhead open year-round; 0.8 mile hike.

13. Strawberry Park Hot Springs, Colorado

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

14. Bonneville Hot Springs, Idaho

    Campground gate closed in winter; park and walk in.

15. Goldbug Hot Springs, Idaho

    Open year-round but heavy snow makes 2 mile trail hard.

16. Molly's Tubs, Idaho

    FR 474 not plowed; snowshoe or horseback.

17. Pine Flats Hot Springs, Idaho

    Gate closed in winter; park and walk, roads icy.

18. Sunbeam Hot Springs, Idaho

    Hwy 75 plowed in winter; short walk to pools.

19. Teapot Hot Spring, Idaho

    Warm Lake Hwy and FSR 474 may need 4x4.

20. Trail Creek Hot Springs, Idaho

    Reachable year-round; Warm Lake Hwy may close, 4x4 needed.

21. Weir Creek Hot Springs, Idaho

    US-12 open year-round; icy 0.5 mile trail.

22. Wild Rose Hot Spring, Idaho

    Roadside on US highway; short walk, water only 95-100F.

23. Juntura Hot Springs, Oregon

    Dirt road snow and ice covered in winter.

24. Umpqua Hot Springs, Oregon

    Road 3401 closed in winter; snowshoe or ski 2.5 miles.

25. Fifth Water Hot Springs, Utah

    Road gated in winter; extra 2.6 miles each way.

26. Goldmyer Hot Springs, Washington

    5 mile walk on closed road; limited winter access.

27. Olympic Hot Springs, Washington

    Road closed to vehicles; 10.5 mile walk in.

28. Scenic Hot Springs, Washington

    Reservation only; snowshoes or skis, 4WD or chains.

29. Dunanda Falls Hot Springs, Wyoming

    Winter access by ski or snowmobile only; very long.

30. Granite Falls Hot Spring, Wyoming

    Road closed to wheels Dec to May; ski or snowmobile.

Snowed in until spring (47)

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. Pilgrim Hot Springs, Alaska

   Open to public June 19 to Sept 27 only.

2. Blaney Meadows Hot Springs, California

   Area closed in winter and snowed in.

3. Buckeye Hot Springs, California

   Road unmaintained, impassable in snow; call ranger Nov to April.

4. Deep Creek Hot Springs, California

   Forest roads have winter closures; spring and fall best.

5. Drakesbad Guest Ranch Hot Springs, California

   Ranch open about June to mid October only.

6. Iva Bell Hot Springs, California

   Permit season May 1 to Nov 1; not open year-round.

7. Jordan Hot Springs, California

   Trail season May to Nov; road closed in winter.

8. Reds Meadow Hot Springs, California

   Reds Meadow Road closed for much of the year.

9. Conundrum Hot Springs, Colorado

   Trail snow covered Oct to June; avalanche hazard.

10. Piedra River Hot Springs, Colorado

    Forest Road 622 closed in winter.

11. Rainbow Hot Springs, Colorado

    Snow blocks trail; 2025 flood washed out bridges.

12. Atlanta Hot Springs, Idaho

    Middle Fork Boise River Road not plowed in winter.

13. Banbury Hot Springs, Idaho

    Resort closed for renovation since 2022.

14. Barth Hot Springs, Idaho

    River access only; boating season June to September.

15. Baumgartner Hot Spring, Idaho

    Road gated or snowed in; open mid May to Sept.

16. Bear Creek Hot Springs, Idaho

    Forest roads close in winter; best March to October.

17. Brown Creek Hot Spring, Idaho

    Most roads into Atlanta area close in winter.

18. Council Mountain Hot Springs, Idaho

    Forest road open May to Oct or Nov only.

19. Dagger Creek Hot Spring, Idaho

    Forest road closed by snow October to mid May.

20. Easley Hot Springs, Idaho

    Open Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day only.

21. Horse Creek Hot Springs, Idaho

    High-elevation roads; open July through October.

22. Hospital Bar Hot Spring, Idaho

    River trips only; no winter access.

23. Lower Loon Creek Hot Spring, Idaho

    Loon Creek Road closed by snow in winter.

24. Nat-Soo-Pah Hot Springs & RV Park, Idaho

    2026 season May 1 to Sept 7; closed winter.

25. Ninemeyer Hot Springs, Idaho

    Atlanta area roads mostly close in winter.

26. Pete Creek Hot Springs, Idaho

    Atlanta area roads close in winter.

27. Rocky Canyon Hot Springs, Idaho

    Middle Fork Road closed to vehicles; snow until April or May.

28. Secesh Hot Springs, Idaho

    Snowed in much of year; access road closed by snow.

29. Shower Bath Hot Springs, Idaho

    Road passable only about July to October.

30. Silver Creek Plunge, Idaho

    Campground closed for season until May 15.

31. Skillern Hot Springs, Idaho

    Access road closed October to mid May.

32. Snake Pit Hot Springs, Idaho

    Guide lists late spring to fall; winter access difficult.

33. Upper Loon Creek Hot Springs, Idaho

    Loon Creek access snowed in; usable from about June.

34. West Pass Hot Spring, Idaho

    Seasonal road open May 1 to December 1.

35. White Licks Hot Springs, Idaho

    Seasonal road open about May through October.

36. Ruby Valley Hot Springs, Nevada

    Winter access not advised; poor road conditions.

37. McCauley Warm Springs, New Mexico

    Winter snow makes trail hard; best April to December.

38. Bagby Hot Springs, Oregon

    Snow blocks road Nov to April; site unmaintained.

39. East Lake Hot Springs, Oregon

    Paulina Lake Road closes mid November until spring.

40. Paulina Lake Hot Springs, Oregon

    Caldera road (FR 21) closes for winter.

41. Wall Creek Warm Springs, Oregon

    Forest roads unmaintained in winter; road gated.

42. Veyo Pool, Utah

    Open seasonally, April or May to Oct 31.

43. Baker Hot Springs, Washington

    Forest roads close seasonally; 4WD needed on final road.

44. Gamma Hot Springs, Washington

    12.5 mile wilderness hike; final descent snow covered.

45. Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, Washington

    Seasonal operation; campground runs March 20 to Nov 1.

46. St. Martin's Hot Springs, Washington

    Reachable only July to Sept when river is low.

47. Sulphur Creek Hot Springs, Washington

    Suiattle River Road washed out at milepost 4.5.