Top Hot Springs Experiences in the West
Seek out these natural hot springs for an unforgettably soothing and scenic soak in the outdoors.
Thomas J. Story
Courtesy of Harrison Hot Springs Resort
Hot Springs and a Bonus Lake
Hot Spot: Harrison Hot Springs Resort, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia
The Draw: Tucked into the shoreline of Harrison Lake, Harrison boasts five hot mineral spring pools maintained at an ideal temperature achieved by combining the waters of the nearby Potash and Sulphur springs.
Courtesy of Chena Hot Springs Resort
A Soak with a Light Show
Hot Spot: Chena Hot Springs Resort, Fairbanks, Alaska
The Draw: A geothermal-powered resort boasting natural hot springs first discovered in 1905, plus an ice museum and amazing views of the aurora borealis.
Natalie Gildersleeve/Courtesy of Maple Grove Hot Springs
Hot Springs, Cool Waterfall
Hot Spot: Maple Grove Hot Springs, Thatcher, Idaho
The Draw: This riverfront retreat center sprawls across forty-five acres along the Bear River, and includes three stone-lined riverfront soaking pools, one larger recreational pool, and a hot springs waterfall amphitheater, all fed from natural lithium mineral hot springs.
Courtesy of Visit Montana
Yellowstone Side Trip
Hot Spot: Chico Hot Springs, Pray, Montana
The Draw: A hot springs resort established in 1900, featuring two large, chemical-free geo- thermally heated pools, located just 30 minutes from Yellowstone National Park.
Courtesy of Avalanche Ranch
Levels of Relaxation
Hot Spot: Avalanche Ranch, Redstone, Colorado
The Draw: Three tiered hot spring pools cascade from one to the next, with views of Mt. Sopris, Elephant Mountain, and Avalanche Creek Valley.
Off the Beaten Path
A Flight to Remember
Hot Spot: Hot Springs Cove, Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada
The Draw: Accessible only by sea or sky (plus a mile hike in), Hot Springs Cove (pictured at top of article) invites visitors to soak in one of the naturally forming hot tide pools fed by a boiling river and watch as the water cools as it mixes with the rising tide of the Clayoquot Sound.
Getting There: Charter a sea plane out of Tofino for a scenic 15-minute flight north. Alternatively, bring your own boat or hop on a Zodiak tour to spot spouting whales and curious shorebirds along the way.
Where to Stay: Black Rock Oceanfront Resort, Ucuelet, B.C. Have breakfast overlooking the Pacific crashing below onto the resort’s namesake volcanic rock formations.
Additional Activities: Hang ten on a surfboard on some of the West Coast’s most coveted breaks. For the more cautious, venture out in the winter months for some serious storm-watching.
And Then There Was One
Hot Spot: Jackson, Wyoming
The Draw: Rife with geothermal activity, northwestern Wyoming boasts many hot spots and bubbling waters, the most famous of which is Yellowstone’s Grand Prismatic Spring (you know, the one with all the pretty rainbow colors). In the past few years, rangers of the forest service and national parks have cracked down on where bathers can take a dip, closing first the popular Huckleberry Hotsprings (due to overcrowding) followed by Kelly Warm Spring (on account of brain-eating amoeba…seriously). Luckily, Granite Falls Hot Springs south of Jackson Hole still welcomes guests to an improved pool hovering above the rushing river and flanked by towering conifers.
Getting There: Arrive via ski or dog sled in the winter months or drive the dirt road in summer.
Where to Stay: Skip the on-site accommodations at Granite Falls and head back through Jackson to the Wildflower Lodge and its charming luxury B&B atmosphere complete with home-cooked breakfast.
Additional Activities: Visit the nearby National Elk Refuge for some wildlife spotting.
Deb Casso/Getty Images
Twilight Views
Hot Spot: Olympic National Park, Washington
The Draw: On your next camping trip, opt to soak at family-friendly Sol Duc Hot Springs resort tucked up into the ridges of the Olympic Mountains and watch as the sun sets through the trees in one of the nation’s largest rain forests. For the more adventurous, hike 2.5 miles into Olympic Hot Springs where natural pools are fed by thermal flows from deep in the mountain range’s volcanic underworld.
Getting There: Hop a ferry from Seattle and drive toward the coast.
Where to Stay: Rent a cabin at Sol Duc Hot Springs resort and opt for evening soak after exploring the trails of Olympic National Park.
Additional Activities: Visit the recently restored Elwha River, where after 100 years under control of a dam, the waters were once again allowed to flow free in 2011 after the largest dam removal in US. history.
