Expert: Steve Collins - 10/30/2011

Question
Steve, thanks for all the info you have given me for our 25th wedding anniversary to Colorado. I have one more question. Are there any hot springs in Denver, Estes Park, Manitou Springs, or Salida that we can visit without having to stay at a resort? If a resort stay is required, which, at moderate expense, would you recommend? Thanks again.

Answer
Well, the CLOSEST hot springs to Denver are in Idaho Springs, about 30 minutes west of town.  I don't really know much about the facility there, as I have never been there, but you CAN reserve a time without staying at the resort.  Their web site is www.indianhotsprings.com.

There are no hot springs in Colorado Springs, Estes Park, or Salida (that I know of), but NEAR Salida is the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs (www.mtprinceton.com) in the town of Nathrop--about 25 miles north of Salida.  Again, you do not have to stay there to visit the springs, but the hotel there is newly renovated, and is absolutely GORGEOUS.

Another slightly funky, but less expensive option in that same general area is the Cottonwood Hot Springs, also in the Buena Vista area (www.cottonwood-hot-springs.com).  Their facilities are nice, just not quite as polished as Mt. Princeton is now after their renovation.

So if you don't want to make the swing that far into the mountains, the Indian Hot Springs in Idaho Springs (on I-70 just west of Denver) is your best bet.  If you would like to make a loop up into the mountains, my personal favorite is Mt. Princeton Hot Springs, but the Cottonwood Hot Springs is another option for you.

Hope that helps, but please let me know if you have further questions!

Have a great trip!

Steve