Best Hot Springs in the US: Costs, Seasons and Rules

The best hot springs in the US to visit include the historic bathhouses of Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, the riverside spring in Big Bend National Park in Texas, Strawberry Park and Glenwood Springs in Colorado, and Chena Hot Springs near Fairbanks, Alaska. Costs run from free at primitive springs to about $30 or more per adult at developed pools as of November 2026. Soaking in Yellowstone’s thermal features is illegal and dangerous.

Hot springs fall into two groups: developed pools with changing rooms, set temperatures and staff, and natural springs on public land with no facilities. The table below includes both, with the rules that matter before you go.

Which hot springs in the US are worth a trip?

Hot spring	State	Type	Cost (as of Nov 2026)	Best season	Key rules
Hot Springs National Park (Buckstaff and Quapaw bathhouses)	Arkansas	Developed, indoor	No park fee; bathhouse services paid	Year-round	No outdoor soaking in the park
Big Bend Hot Springs	Texas	Natural, riverside stone tub	Included in the $30 per-vehicle park fee	November–March	Unpaved access road not suited to RVs or trailers
Glenwood Hot Springs Pool	Colorado	Developed, large outdoor pool	Paid day admission	Year-round; winter for steam and snow	Resort rules; busy on weekends
Strawberry Park Hot Springs	Colorado	Rustic, rock-lined pools	$30 adults, $20 ages 17 and under, cash only, 2-hour slots	Year-round	Reservation required; adults only after dark; winter road needs 4WD with snow tires or chains
Chena Hot Springs	Alaska	Developed resort	Paid day use	Late August–April for aurora chances	Resort rules; about 60 miles from Fairbanks
Granite Hot Springs	Wyoming	Developed pool in a national forest	Paid day use	Summer by car; winter over snow	Seasonal hours; remote
Travertine Hot Springs	California	Natural pools on BLM land	Free	Spring and fall	Protect fragile mineral formations; pack out trash
Umpqua Hot Springs	Oregon	Natural pools on a cliffside	Forest Service recreation pass may apply	Summer and fall	Site-specific Forest Service rules posted
Ojo Caliente	New Mexico	Historic mineral springs resort	Paid day use	Year-round	Check whether day passes need a booking
Calistoga	California	Developed spas and mud baths	Paid spa services	Year-round	Book treatments ahead
Pagosa Springs	Colorado	Developed pools along the San Juan River	Paid day use	Year-round	Resort rules

Prices at private resorts change often; check each official site for current rates and whether you need to book a time slot.

How do you soak at Hot Springs National Park?

Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas has no entrance fee, and soaking in its thermal water is limited to two bathhouses on Bathhouse Row that receive spring water piped in. There are no outdoor soaking areas in the park.

Buckstaff Bathhouse: opened in 1912 and has offered baths without fully closing since; traditional bathing services.
Quapaw Bathhouse: modern spa with thermal pools, private baths and a steam cave.
Fordyce Bathhouse: serves as the park visitor center and museum.

See the park’s Soak in the Springs page for current bathhouse details.

Can you soak in hot springs in Yellowstone?

No, not in the thermal features. It is illegal to swim or bathe in any water in Yellowstone that is entirely of thermal origin, and people have been seriously burned or killed after leaving boardwalks. Thin crust can break over scalding water, and runoff channels can be extremely hot.

Stay on boardwalks and designated trails, and keep children close.
Do not touch thermal water or runoff.
Pets are not allowed in thermal areas, even if carried.
The Boiling River area near Gardiner, once a legal soaking spot where hot water mixes with the Gardner River, closed after the June 2022 flood; do not assume it has reopened.

Read the park’s Yellowstone safety page before visiting the geyser basins, and see our guide to the best time to visit Yellowstone for road openings.

What is the difference between developed and natural hot springs?

Developed hot springs control water temperature, clean the pools and have staff, changing rooms and rules; natural hot springs are free or cheap but have no lifeguards, no water testing and variable temperatures.

	Developed	Natural
Cost	Paid admission or spa fees	Usually free; parking or recreation pass may apply
Temperature	Managed pools	Varies with weather and river level
Facilities	Showers, changing rooms, food	Few or none
Access	Paved roads, parking lots	Dirt roads, short or long hikes
Crowds	Time slots or capacity limits at some	Small pools fill quickly on weekends
Rules	Posted by the resort	Set by the land manager (NPS, Forest Service, BLM)

Which hot springs are best in winter?

Chena, Strawberry Park, Glenwood Springs, Granite Hot Springs and Big Bend are among the best winter soaks, for very different reasons.

Chena Hot Springs, Alaska: dark winter nights give a chance to see the aurora while soaking; see where else to look in our northern lights guide.
Strawberry Park, Colorado: snow-covered pools near Steamboat Springs; book a slot up to 30 days ahead and plan for the winter road rule from November 1 to May 1.
Glenwood Springs, Colorado: a large outdoor pool steaming in cold air, easy to reach from I-70.
Granite Hot Springs, Wyoming: in winter the access road is snow-covered, and visitors usually arrive by snowmobile, dog sled or skis.
Big Bend, Texas: winter is the comfortable season in the desert, when a 105°F riverside soak makes sense.

How do you stay safe in hot springs?

Limit soaks to short sessions, drink water and keep your head above the surface. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends hot tub water no hotter than 104°F, and natural springs can be hotter in spots.

Keep your head above water: the CDC advises holding your nose or keeping your head out of warm freshwater, including hot springs, to lower the very rare risk of infection by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri.
Check with a doctor first if you are pregnant or have heart problems or high blood pressure.
Skip alcohol while soaking, especially at high elevation.
Test the water with a hand before getting in at natural springs, and stay out of any source too hot to touch.
Respect the site: no soap or glass, pack out trash, and follow clothing and hours rules.

How do you plan a hot springs trip?

Check the land manager. National park, national forest, BLM land or a private resort each sets its own rules and fees.
Book where required. Strawberry Park needs a reservation, and many resorts sell timed passes on busy days.
Check road conditions for dirt roads and winter access.
Bring a towel, water shoes, water and a warm layer for after the soak.
Go early or midweek for small natural pools.

Colorado’s springs pair well with a mountain town stay; see our best mountain towns in Colorado.

Bottom line

For history, soak at Hot Springs National Park’s Buckstaff or Quapaw bathhouses; for scenery, try Strawberry Park, Big Bend or Chena under the aurora. Book developed pools ahead, follow land-manager rules at natural springs, keep your head above water and never enter Yellowstone’s thermal features.

FAQ

Are there free hot springs in the US?

Yes. Many natural springs on Bureau of Land Management and national forest land, such as Travertine Hot Springs in California, are free, though a recreation pass may be required to park at some.

Can you swim in Hot Springs National Park?

Not outdoors. Thermal soaking in the park is available only inside the Buckstaff and Quapaw bathhouses.

Do you need a reservation for hot springs?

At some, yes. Strawberry Park requires one, opening 30 days ahead, and many resorts use timed entry on weekends and holidays; natural springs usually do not take reservations.

What is the best time of year for hot springs?

Late fall through early spring is the best time for most hot springs, when cold air makes a warm soak more comfortable. Desert springs such as Big Bend are best from November to March.