Soak in the World’s Deepest Hot Spring at The Springs – Pagosa Hot Springs Resort (Review)
Is soaking in the world’s deepest hot spring on your bucket list? Welcome to the ultimate oasis of relaxation and rejuvenation nestled in the heart of Colorado’s stunning San Juan Mountains – The Springs Resort aka Pagosa Hot Springs. Surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, this luxurious thermal waters retreat offers an unparalleled experience for those seeking a connection to nature through mineral-rich water. From its healing mineral-rich hot springs to its world-class spa treatments, this hidden gem promises a blissful escape like no other.
Tim and I recently spent two nights at The Springs Resort and had the chance to soak in 25 thermal pools, participate in complimentary wellness activities, and dine both on-site at the restaurant and in downtown Pagosa Springs.
Disclaimer: The Springs Resort hosted us in a Deluxe Room for 2 nights during our trip to Pagosa Springs. All opinions, as always, are own.
Read on to find out what it was like to stay and soak in Pagosa hot springs at The Springs Resort!
The Springs Resort and Spa At-A-Glance
- Website: https://www.pagosahotsprings.com/
- Address: 323 Hot Springs Blvd, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
- 25 pools
- Temperature range: 45°- 114° F
- Minerals: Sodium, Chloride, Lithium, Potassium, Flouride, Manganese, Magnesium, Arsenic, Sulfate, Silica, Boron, Zinc, Iron. Read benefits here.
- No chemicals/chlorine
- Clothing required
- Overnight Rooms: Start at $309/night and include 24-hour pool access
- Day Passes: Start at $65 and include one-time entry between 9a and 9:30p
Map of The Springs Resort
History of Pagosa Hot Springs
The Pagosa Hot Springs Hotel and Spa, located in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, holds a rich history that dates back centuries. This historic landmark has been an oasis for relaxation and healing for both locals and visitors alike.
Pagosa Springs itself is nestled in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, surrounded by picturesque scenery and natural wonders. The town’s name “Pagosa” derives from the Ute Indian word meaning “healing waters,” which perfectly encapsulates the significance of this destination.
The hot springs in Pagosa Springs have been renowned for their therapeutic properties since ancient times. Native American tribes such as the Utes considered these mineral-rich waters sacred and believed they possessed medicinal qualities. The warm mineral springs were highly valued for their ability to soothe ailments, promote wellness, and rejuvenate the body.
The Mother Spring: World’s Deepest Hot Spring
The Mother Spring holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the World’s Deepest hot spring, at over 1,002 feet deep into the earth. The exact depth isn’t known, because the plumb line used to measure capped out at 1,002, so all we know is that it’s AT LEAST that deep. The Mother Spring feeds all of the hot pools in Pagosa Springs, but temperatures are as high as 144 degrees, so you should definitely not try to soak in the Mother Spring itself. By the time the water flows from The Mother Spring to the pools, it will have cooled off enough to be safe and comfortable for soaking.
Overview of The Springs Resort
Today, the Pagosa Hot Springs Hotel and Spa stands as a testament to its historical roots while providing modern comforts for its guests. The main building retains its original charm with Victorian-style architecture and captivating period details.
The hotel features various types of guest rooms and cozy suites. Visitors can choose accommodations suited to their preferences while indulging in breathtaking views of mountains or overlooking nearby rivers.
One of the highlights of staying at this historic landmark is direct access to 25 naturally-fed hot spring pools known for their healing properties. These geothermal pools are maintained at different temperatures ranging from warm relaxation pools to hotter therapeutic tubs – ensuring that every guest finds their ideal soaking experience.
The Lodge
The castle-like Lodge building is located right next to The Mother Spring. This is where Reception is located, as well as the Phoenix Bar and Atrium Lounge.
Since we visited at the end of November, we got to enjoy all the holiday decorations, like the giant Christmas tree in the lounge next to the grand staircase.
The Rooms
Our Deluxe Room included a bedroom with a king-sized bed, TV, desk, and end tables, as well as a small living room with a sofa, desk, and a second TV. There was also a small kitchenette with a refrigerator, sink, and toaster oven.
The bathroom featured a shower and bathtub and was stocked with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, and soap.
The Deluxe Room is The Springs’ middle-tier accommodation. For a more basic room, you can choose a Classic Room, or for the most decadent experience, you can book a Luxury Suite. You can read more about the rooms at The Springs here.
About The Pools at Pagosa Hot Springs
In addition to the 8 pools listed below, there are 17 additional hot pools at The Springs resort for a total of 25. Each has its own vibe, temperature, views, and features, so soak around and experience as many as you want!
As of this writing in December 2023, The Springs is undergoing a massive expansion project, doubling the number of pools and hotel capacity. The new part of the resort is scheduled to open in 2025!
These are the pools we soaked in during our stay (with one exception that we included in this list since it’s such a noteworthy pool – read on for why!).
Sunset Social Club
Sunset Social Club is a medium-sized pool at the top-level tier above the San Juan River, near the Bath House. This is where our group aqua sound bath activity took place. It has a great view over the resort and river and is a moderate temperature (around 103 degrees when we were there) that is comfortable for a longer soak.
Aspen
The Aspen pool is located near the Canteen, so it’s a great option if you’re planning to get a Vitality Tonic or cocktail from the bar. It’s a moderate-temperature pool (about 102 degrees during our visit).
Waterfall
The Waterfall pool is one of the most scenic at The Springs. It features a waterfall and a view over the San Juan River, so it’s especially photogenic!
Venetian
The Venetian pool is a moderate-temperature pool right next to the entrance to The Plunge, the resort’s cold water pool. For that reason, it’s the best place to soak before and after doing the Warrior Plunge (more on that below).
The Plunge
The Plunge is a cold water pool in the San Juan River. The temperature ranges between 40-50 degrees. Every day, the resort hosts a group polar plunge that they call the Warrior Plunge, and you can do a solo plunge any time you want. It was 56 degrees when I did my solo cold soak and it was cold but not unbearable. It felt invigorating to alternative between The Venetian and The Plunge, and I could tell I was benefiting from the positive impacts of cold plunging like reduced inflammation, better mood, and reduced anxiety.
Serendipity
Serendipity is a pretty pool with a waterfall overlooking the Centennial Park Bridge. It’s nestled in the corner below the stairs. It’s a cooler pool (at 100 degrees when we soaked), so you can relax there for a long time without overheating. The views, waterfall, and comfortable temperature make it a popular choice!
The Lobster Pot
The Lobster Pot is the hottest pool at The Springs resort, usually sitting at about 114 degrees. We didn’t go in this one because of how hot it is. If you’re braver than we are, go for it!
The Cliffs
Our favorite pool at The Springs resort was The Cliffs, a moderately hot pool (103 degrees when we visited) accessed by a submerged bridge through the lukewarm Golden Pond. It’s the most isolated pool at the resort, with great views of the river and the other pools around the property. It’s also fantastically photogenic! We got up for sunrise during our stay to take photos and soak here by ourselves and it was my favorite time at the pools!
Activities and Things to Do at Pagosa Hot Springs
As overnight guests, we had unlimited complimentary access to all of the daily activities and classes at The Springs Resort.
We participated in these activities during our stay:
Gratitude Ceremony at the Mother Spring
Every day at 4 pm, guests can participate in a Gratitude Ceremony at The Mother Spring, the deepest hot spring in the world. After writing something for which you are grateful on a small piece of paper, you will place that paper in a jar of water from The Mother Spring. You get to keep the jar as a souvenir of your visit and a reminder of the things you are grateful for!
Aqua Sound Bath
The 30-minute Aqua Sound Bath in the Sunset Social Club pool was one of the most uniquely relaxing experiences we’ve ever had! Using sound bowls, our guide created an immersive sensory experience that included not just the sound of the bowls, but also the feel of the vibrations of the sound waves against our skin in the water.
Guided Meditation
Whether you are new to meditation or a daily practitioner, the guided meditation in the Wellness Center is a nice way to relax and re-center after a morning of soaking. The gentle prompts help focus the mind and relax the body.
Restful Recharge
I think of Restful Recharge as a guided nap time. With a pillow bolster and a weighted blanket, the guide will make sure you are comfortable before using sound bowls to signal the start of your dedicated relaxation time.
Additional Activities
In addition to those we did above, here are the other available activities included with your stay:
- Forest Bathing Hike
- River Walk and Stretch
- Roll and Recover
- Restorative Yoga
- Aqua Yoga
- Balancing Sound Bath
Food at The Springs Resort
The Cafe
The Cafe opens at 7 am and is the place to go for breakfast. The menu includes a variety of Colorado-Southwest favorites like breakfast burritos with green chili and an array of sweet and savory crepes. We tried the chicken and pesto crepe, the Croque Monsieur crepe, the honey sriracha chicken crepe, and the breakfast burrito during our stay and all were delicious! This is also where you can get hot coffee in the morning, with free coffee refills until they close at 1 pm.
Canteen
The Canteen is the brown wooden hut located in front of The Bath House. This is the spot to get cocktails or The Springs’ signature superfood-packed Vitality Tonics. We loved the Get Up and Gosa, made with sea buckthorn, baobab, orange, lemon, pineapple, and ginger, and the Ever-Greens, featuring wheatgrass, spirulina, pineapple, lemon, ginger, and apple.
Barefoot Grill
For lunch or dinner, the casual poolside Barefoot Grill is your best option, featuring healthful and tasty meals like teriyaki chicken bowls, salads, and wraps.
Phoenix Bar
In the Great Room of the Lodge, you’ll find the beautiful Phoenix Bar, with its stained glass backdrop and elegant wooden bar. It’s right next to the grand staircase – you can’t miss it! The Phoenix Bar is a full-service bar with beer, wine, and cocktails, as well as Vitality Tonics.
Lobby Market
Next to the reception desk are a small freezer and refrigerator with frozen meals, ice cream, drinks, and small snacks. We definitely treated ourselves to late-night Rocky Road ice cream during our stay.
Options downtown:
For dinner, we recommend going into downtown Pagosa Springs, which is just a short walk across the Centennial Park Bridge. We ate at two different restaurants during our visit, and recommend them both!
Mountain Pizza and Taproom
This no-frills pizza joint features pour-your-own beer taps and classic pizzas that taste like your childhood memories. We got wings and a pepperoni pizza – delicious!
The Lost Cajun
This Louisiana-style eaterie serves up Cajun favorites like gumbo and jambalaya. It is a small chain (a few locations throughout the U.S.), but don’t let that deter you. I ordered the Gumbo and Cajun Classics trio with seafood gumbo, jambalaya, and lobster bisque, which was delicious but left me a bit hungry. Tim got the fish po’boy with fries and had leftovers!
How to Get To Pagosa Springs
Pagosa Springs is located in a remote and beautiful region of the San Juan mountains in southern Colorado. Regardless of whether you are driving or flying into the area, you’ll want to rent a car for the trip since the closest airport is still an hour away.
By Plane
Direct flights to Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO), 60 miles west of Pagosa Springs, are available from Dallas (DFW), Phoenix (PHX), Los Angeles (LAX), Denver (DEN) and Albuquerque (ABQ). From DRO, it’s about a 1-hour drive to Pagosa Springs. You will want to rent a car for the trip.
Alternatively, Denver is the closest major airport and is less than a 5.5-hour drive to Pagosa Springs. Either way, you’ll need to get a rental car for your transportation to and from the airport and to get around Pagosa Springs.
By Car
By car, here are distances to Pagosa Springs from various locations in the southwest:
- Phoenix, AZ – 8 hours
- Salt Lake City, UT – 6 hours
- Moab – 4 hours
- Albuquerque, NM – 4 hours
- Santa Fe, NM – 2 hours
There is plenty of parking available for resort guests at The Springs Resort.
Final Thoughts on The Pagosa Springs Hot Springs Resort
The Springs Resort and Spa in Pagosa Springs, Colorado offers a truly unique and rejuvenating experience for visitors. With its natural hot springs, luxurious accommodations, and a variety of wellness activities, it is the perfect destination for anyone seeking relaxation.
Pagosa Springs is one of the most beautiful hot spring destinations we’ve ever been to. It’s serene, photogenic, and unique. With 25 pools built alongside the San Juan River, The Springs Resort is a must-stay experience in Colorado.
And while you’re exploring Colorado, check out our guides to more bucket list Rocky Mountain adventures:
- Rocky Mountain National Park Guides
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Guides
- Great Sand Dunes National Park Guides
- Colorado Fall Guides
