Colorado Review

As I mentioned in previous posts, my family and I have a season pass to the Hot Springs Pool in Glenwood Springs. We love it there; after all it is the world’s largest natural hot springs pool. But it is just a rectangular-shaped pool.

This srping we visited the natural hot springs at The Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs. These pools have a bit more to offer in the scenery and ambiance department

Eighteen soaking areas of various sizes are stacked terrace-like on the banks of the San Juan River. Each has a different, often irreverent name (Lobster Pot, Clouds in my Coffee) and they vary in temperature from 83 to 114 degrees Fahrenheit. A non-mineral swimming pool that’s set back a bit from the river is packed with families on the weekends, and some soaking pools are designated for adults only.

After a family hike, the warm water felt heavenly on sore muscles; the kids had a ball sampling all the different pools. You can even plunge into the frigid river. Though, I wouldn’t recommend a cold plunge after a day of skiing at nearby Wolf Creek Ski Area. Instead, head directly to the soothing temperatures of pools like Tranquil, Overlook and The Cliffs. We found the Sunset Social Club offering the best views of the river and the pools below.

The pools are open to the public, and you can visit for the day. It’s $17.25 for adults, $9 for children. Or stay at the resort overnight, and you can soak for free. My family had a suite, which had two double beds and a small galley kitchen.

During our one-night stay in Pagosa Springs, we had breakfast burritos to go from the Pagosa Baking Company, as well as yummy gooey cinnamon rolls from the River Point Cafe, just across the river from the Springs Resort. We had a tasty meal at Isabel’s (fish, seafood, steaks), but would have walked over to the nearby Alley House Grill, had it been open on Sunday evening when we were there.

Pagosa Springs, Colorado, hot springs