North America's Must Visit Natural Hot Springs to Relax In
North America has some of the most amazing natural scenery in the world, from towering mountain ranges to arid deserts, and seemingly endless forests. Within these wonderful natural lands, activities like hiking, fishing, skiing, biking, and much more abound. But other, somewhat common, natural features here allow for more relaxing outings in nature too.
Within this expansive continent are many examples of natural hot springs coming out of the ground that are both accessible and running at safe temperatures to take a dip in. From the Appalachian Mountains to the Sierra Nevadas, let's take a look at a few of the must-visit geothermal springs that you ought to visit next time you need to kick back in nature.
Chena Hot Springs - Fairbanks, Alaska
Chena Hot Springs, located 60 miles northeast of Fairbanks, is a renowned destination in Alaska’s vast wilderness. Discovered by gold miners in 1905, the springs are now part of a year-round resort offering relaxation and recreation in a rugged natural setting. The outdoor rock pool, filled with mineral-rich waters, is also notable for the densely forested hills surrounding it, making for a gorgeous visual backdrop as you take a soak.
Beyond the hot springs, you can enjoy activities like hiking, and dog sledding or snowmobiling in the winter. Chena is also one of the best places to view the Northern Lights during winter, thanks to the region's low amounts of light pollution, making it a top destination for exploring Alaska’s abundant natural wonders.
The nearby resort features an Ice Museum, which showcases intricate ice sculptures, and eco-tours highlighting its renewable energy initiatives in the area.
Castle Hot Springs - Pheonix, Arizona
Hot springs in forest. Editorial credit: Beyond My Ken via Wikimedia Commons
Castle Hot Springs, nestled in a secluded desert valley a short drive north of Phoenix, is one of Arizona’s oldest and most luxurious hot spring resorts. These natural geothermal springs, used for centuries by Indigenous peoples, gained prominence in the late 19th century as a retreat for affluent visitors to the area. The mineral-rich waters emerge from the ground into terraced pools surrounded by saguaro-dotted landscapes.
The resort, restored in recent years, offers an exclusive experience with accommodations ranging from historic cottages to modern bungalows. Here, you can enjoy the hot springs along with other activities, including guided desert hikes, stargazing on clear nights, or enjoying nearby Lake Pleasant, where boating and other water-based activities are popular.
Access to the Castle Hot Springs is reserved for overnight guests, ensuring an experience in this desert oasis without the crowds.
Travertine Hot Springs - Bridgeport, California
Travertine Hot Springs, a splendid natural feature sitting near Bridgeport in California’s Eastern Sierra, offers a rustic and scenic retreat for those seeking a natural hot spring experience These springs are accessible by a short dirt road from the nearby town and feature several soaking pools formed by calcium carbonate deposits, giving the area its distinctive travertine formations. The pools vary in size and depth, with mineral-rich waters flowing naturally from geothermal vents into the basins.
Set against the backdrop of the iconic Sierra Nevada mountains, the springs also provide breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and valleys, making them a favorite spot for landscape photographers as well.
Unlike more commercial hot springs, Travertine remains undeveloped, allowing visitors to connect with nature in a truly natural, open-air setting. While access is free, the site is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and visitors are encouraged to leave no trace to preserve its pristine beauty for future generations.
Boquillas Hot Springs - Big Bend National Park, Texas
Hot Springs, W of Rio Grande Village Big Bend National Park. Editorial credit: JRick1 via Wikimedia Commons
Boquillas Hot Springs, located within Big Bend National Park, is a historic landmark along the Rio Grande. Once part of a health resort in the early 20th century, the springs remain a popular destination for park visitors looking for a soak amid Texas’s remote southwestern wilderness.
The spring water flows into a natural stone-walled pool beside the river, creating a unique setting where you can take a rejuvenating dip while enjoying views of Mexico just across the water. The area is accessible via a short hike from the parking lot, which passes remnants of the old Langford resort, including a bathhouse and adobe structures. The trail itself offers an up-close look at local wildlife and various desert plants along the way.
After your trip here, visitors often choose to explore the nearby Rio Grande Village or embark on additional hikes in the area, of which there are many to choose from. The Ernst Tinaja Trail is a sough-after locale, and several campsites are conveniently located in the proximity for those who want to spend the night under the stars.
Hot Springs National Park - Hot Springs, Arkansas
Mineral hot water in Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas.
Hot Springs National Park in central Arkansas is a historic destination that, as you could probably guess, is best known for its naturally warm geothermal springs. Known as “The American Spa,” the federally-run park preserves 47 thermal springs emerging from the Ouachita Mountains, long valued for their soothing waters.
While the springs are not open for soaking outdoors, the thermal water is piped into several historic bathhouses on what is called "Bathhouse Row," giving you a modern spa destination within century-old buildings. You should also explore the park’s natural and historic elements through hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and guided tours of the bathhouses, including the Fordyce Bathhouse Museum.
The city of Hot Springs, which lies just south of the national park, provides more fun attractions and amenities including hotels, resorts, restaurants, and museums. Try out the Gangster Museum of America downtown, or embark on a spooky walk with Hot Springs Haunted Tours.
Banff Upper Hot Springs - Banff, Alberta
Upper Hot Springs Bathhouse, Banff, Alberta. Viewed from the southeast. Editorial credit: Odysseus1479 via Wikimedia Commons
Located in Banff National Park, Banff Upper Hot Springs offers a unique opportunity to unwind amidst the Canadian Rockies. Sitting at an elevation of 5,200 feet, these geothermal waters are rich in minerals like sulfate, calcium, and magnesium, believed to have soothing effects on the body. The water temperature can be quite warm and the pool area is open year-round, being particularly popular in the winter months.
Visitors can relax in the open-air pool while enjoying panoramic views of downtwon Banff, Mount Rundle, and the other peaks surrounding the nearby Rocky Mountains. The current facility, rebuilt in 1932 after a fire, includes amenities such as changing rooms, a gift shop, and a historic bathhouse.
Banff Upper Hot Springs is easily accessible from the town of Banff, making it a popular spot for residents and visitors. It is conveniently located only about an hour and a half drive directly west from the city of Calgary.
Dunton Hot Springs - Dunton, Colorado
Cattle ranch below the Dallas divide mountains in Southwest Colorado.
Dunton Hot Springs rests deep in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado and is in a meticulously restored 19th-century ghost town that has become one of the most traveled hot spring resorts in the country. This luxury retreat features several natural hot spring pools, ranging from outdoor stone pools to an indoor spring housed in a restored bathhouse.
Sourced directly from geothermal vents, these natural hot springs in Colorado are a must-visit for anyone exploring the wilds of this Rocky Mountains state.
The resort’s cabins, many crafted from original hand-hewn logs, combine old-school alpine charm with modern comforts, offering an exclusive stay for visitors. Other activities at Dunton Hot Springs include hiking, fly-fishing in nearby creeks, and horseback riding in summer, with skiing and snowshoeing in winter also available.
Warm Springs Pools - Warm Springs, Virginia
Warm Springs Bathhouses, Warm Springs, Virginia. Editorial credit: Ser Amantio di Nicolao via Wikimedia Commons
Warm Springs Pools, located in the aptly named Bath County, Virginia, has drawn visitors for centuries with their naturally heated, mineral-rich waters in the far northeastern reaches of the state. Formerly known as the Jefferson Pools, these historic baths date back to the 1760s and are named for President Thomas Jefferson, who famously visited and bathed here in 1818.
Surrounded by the picturesque Allegheny Mountains, the site includes two distinct bathhouses—one for men and one for women—fed by a natural thermal spring. The waters maintain a steady flow into the circular pools, which are constructed of stone and house in unique-looking wood hut-like structures with open roofs.
The springs are celebrated for their calming effects, and their sheltered yet rustic setting provides an intimate connection to the past. For this, the Warm Springs Pools remain a cherished destination for relaxation and wellness, blending historical interest and natural beauty in the heart of Virginia’s highlands.
Radium Hot Springs - Kootenay National Park, British Columbia
Beautiful clear turquoise mountain river below the natural bridge new Radium Hot Springs British Columbia on the Nipika Trails.
In the heart of Kootenay National Park in British Columbia is the Radium Hot Springs, a top destination in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The visitor center at the hot springs features a large pool fed by natural geothermal waters that are known for their low sulfur content, making this spring stand out with its lack of eggy smell that you normally get at other ones.
The facility includes both a hot soaking pool and a cooler swimming area, catering to a range of preferences. A visit to Radium Hot Springs can also be combined with hiking or exploring the surrounding park, which is home to bighorn sheep, bears, and other alpine wildlife.
Open year-round, the springs provide a warm haven during snowy winters and a refreshing break in summer. The nearby town of Radium Hot Springs is also an excellent place to stay the night at a scenic hotel and stop off at the Kootenay National Park Visitor Center.
Rejuvenate in America's Best Natural Hot Springs
What better way to spend a weekend outside than hanging out in a natural hot spring? With their mineral-filled waters and soothing warm temperatures often contrasting cool mountainous surroundings, these accessible destinations make for the perfect way to end an adventure in the great outdoors of both Canada and the United States.
With convenient amenities usually found near many of these springs, they also pose as excellent locations for weekend getaways. Will you visit any as the temperature begins to drop this year?
