I really like going to Valley View Hot Springs. I love being in my birthday suit when I'm there…read moreespecially in the water.

Such an awesome 'clothing optional' hot springs! Its unique in the fact that it's primarily all…read morenatural, as opposed to other hot springs in Colorado that have formed cement pools and it was really affordable. Valley View is located on a land grant, so they can only accommodate 30 people (?) or so a day. Once they reach the limit, they no longer accept any more, so I loved how intimate and non-crowded it was. Will definitely be back!

These hotsprings are south of Salida. Not much nearby so they do offer a dinner and breakfast to…read morepeople who stay at their hotel. The room was nice. Large with lots of space. there were chairs near front door to sit outside. In addition, the rooms had a concrete patio out back with two chairs set up, looking at the mountains. We did try to sit outside but there were a lot of bugs. To be expected. The kitchen staff were nice. The meals were okay, nothing special, but they fill you up while there. I didn't walk around the entire hotsprings area. When we walked into the pool area, there was one hotspring that was packed with people, so we kept walking towards the back, where the extremely hot pool (109 degrees) was located. it is summer and it was already hot out, so I couldn't submerge, but I sat with my feet and legs in the water for a bit. I did see a cool pool and two hot tubs in the back. by the time we moved to a new pool, we were able to get into the first pool we saw and that was around 99 degrees. hot enough. but half of the pool was standing room only, and the other half had a bench. it would have been nice if the whole pool had a bench. There were great views of the mountains from the two pools we sat in. The fence around the pools was actually made of glass panels so that you could see out. All in all I would give this place 3.5 stars. but I didn't want to round down.

What a fun magical spot! With 5 mineral hot tubs and a cold plunge that has amazing views what's…read morenot to love?! With your stay breakfast and dinner is included with great service. (Vegan/vegetarian options available) Besides the hotel they also have RV/camping spots, yurts and teepees when in season also a greenhouse to explore. Day spas and massages available as well. I highly recommend a stop if you're near by.

This was an unexpected surprise on this clear but cold January afternoon! The gentleman in the…read moreOffice was welcoming and answered our questions about what we were going to do. The hot springs pool is clean and maintained. My first step into the water was HOLY MOLY HOT! but then I realized I was near the spring intake to the pool, the temp eased up to really comfortable (100F). We had a great hour in the water then visited w the friendly owner for a bit about the history of this old property. We felt refreshed as we drove back to Gunny. Feb 16, 2019

Being from Cali, going to a hot springs is a goal of mine. WELL! Last night our friend took us to…read moreWaunita Hot Springs.. upon approaching it, it did say it was closed but when we walked in Tammy greeted us and was ssssooooo sweet and welcoming and let us enjoy the hot springs! You can tell it's a family owned place which gives you that homey feel. Nonetheless, it was great. Fun. Perfect. Thank you Tammy for welcoming us and allowing us to enjoy it so last minute! Can't wait to be back!!!!

Such a fun little spot close to the Sand dunes and such a gem in the valley for locals and tourists…read morealike. This spot has plenty of parking, camping and lots to offer. The pool/hot springs are split into 2 primary areas. One big area that is meant for all with a kids pool, large hot springs pool with diving boards for all to have fun, a snack bar with lots of goodies (but you can bring your own food in too if you want, which is great for families on a budget), a grassy picnic area, basketball court, and a small toddler friendly slide area as well. You can also rent cabanas. The other area is for 21+ in the greenhouse. It's fully separated from the family area and is an adult atmosphere. There is a bar, snack bar with a limited menu, dense lush greenery, and numerous hot pools of varying temps. There is also a sauna for sweating it out. We spend a lot of time here relaxing and enjoying the pool and cocktails. This is a great place to spend the day or evening. This is not a high end spa but a mid-tier budget friendly option that is well worth it. My only criticism is that the locker rooms could use some updating, but I'll still take it!

A great swimming pool and spa-like area for adults too. I really enjoyed this place! The water was…read morewarm! The environment was fun and relaxing. A variety of different pools and activities are available. There are also two restaurants with yummy food options. I appreciated the tranquil greenhouse for adults only. I hope I can visit again soon. This is a really unique and special place!!!!

Such a cool , *relatively* newer hot springs to the BV area! Definitely love the botanical gardens…read moreattached to it, with a large variety of reptiles, fish and the two cute macaws at the front, that are fairly social. Kathy was amazing, sweet and so informative! Much less crowded than mt Princeton a few miles down the road; Will definitely by back!

Clean shower/bathrooms, healthy snack for purchase for my kid, warm hot tub soak with a Mountain…read moreView. We enjoyed the pool noodles to lay on. There are no iguanas around currently but she enjoyed the parrots, koi fish, turtles. You can even purchase basic flip flops or a bathing suit if needed.

I come to Mystik Mountain RH a few times a year to level up. Been coming since 2019 and have come…read moreback over a dozen times. Working with WonderBob has set me apart from the rest. Whether doing one-on-one sessions with WB at the retreat center or climbing with a group to the top of the Sacred Mountain. That house and the legend facilitating there are second to none. If you're traveling swing by for a couple nights and feel it out or plan ahead and connect with WonderBob prior. My first trip I extended and stayed an additional week. I would have stayed longer but it was Christmas week. Every trip is different, but the results are the same: Release, Recharge, Level-Up, Connect Self to Source, Repeat

You will not expect what you get out of visiting this place. Not only is Crestone one of the most…read morebreathtaking, untouched locations, hidden deep in the Saint Louis Valley, but the unplugging & getting back to nature, is hard to ignore here. This area is home to multiple energy fields & natural hot springs, this area will challenge your spirit of adventure & community; you will not forget it. Our stay at Mystic Mountain was unexpected & catered to, non the less in EVERY way. A wonderful home- cooked breakfast, with experience & knowledge of life's journey as an optional side dish. A place I will never forget. The spa jacuzzi tub, view of the mountain sunset & Crestone's natural market don't hurt either!

Rustic? That's a stretch... but I loved it anyway…read more Had a great time at Dakota Hot Springs, but when they say "rustic," that might be giving it a little too much credit. Think more "DIY charm with deferred maintenance." Only one of the two showers in the men's bathroom worked, and the outdoor shower looked like it had retired early. The shade cloth overhead was thin, ripped, and flapping in the wind like it was waving a white flag. That said, the water itself? Perfect. The big pool stayed at a great temp, and if you wander into the "lobster pot," prepare to boil yourself like you're on the menu--it's hot hot. Lots of room to spread out and catch sun, which was a big plus. Now, the real warning: dusk. When the sun dips, the mosquitoes come out like they've been fasting for weeks. I heard it's thanks to the stagnant dump water nearby, and they make sure you know they're there. Pro tip: bring bug spray or plan your exit before happy hour for the skeeters. All in all--quirks, flapping tarps, and dive-bombing mosquitoes included--I'll definitely be back. Just don't come expecting "spa chic." This is a hot springs with character (and a sense of humor).

It is a nice soaking spot, but the vibe is a bit weird. Enter at your own risk! Can be an…read moreaffordable spa option.

We recently stayed at Desert Reef Hot Springs in the Prismatic Airstream for one night. Overall, we…read morereally enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and the uniqueness of staying in an Airstream - it's such a fun concept and the property itself is beautiful and relaxing. The hot springs themselves were absolutely gorgeous. The aesthetic is so cute and thoughtfully done, and I loved how uncrowded it felt during our visit. It made the whole experience even more peaceful and special. The showers near the hot springs were also pretty clean, which we really appreciated. That said, there were a couple things that kept it from being a full 5 stars. The cleanliness inside the Airstream wasn't quite what we expected, especially considering the hefty cleaning fee listed on the receipt. There were noticeable signs that it hadn't been fully refreshed between guests - including residue on the bathroom floor near the toilet, visible hair on the ground, and lip marks left on one of the mugs. It just didn't feel completely turned over, which was disappointing. There was also some confusion regarding the billing. I reached out through both email and the "contact us" section of the website but haven't received a response yet. The receipt lists two separate cleaning fees (one for $45 & one for $48.34), and the confirmation email shows an "Accommodation Outstanding: -$45.00," which made it a bit unclear how the charges were applied. I completely understand if the total cleaning fee is $95 -I would just appreciate confirmation and a quick clarification/reply back for peace of mind. Despite those issues, the overall setting is incredibly serene and the hot springs were truly the highlight of the stay. With a bit more attention to detail on the Airstream cleaning and clearer billing, this would easily be a 5-star experience. We'd definitely consider returning for a day soak with the relaxing atmosphere.

The Desert Reef Hot Springs is a great day getaway to relax and soak in a few pools. My friend from…read morecollege mentioned this hot spring to me and being a fish out of water I immediately agreed to go. I picked him up and on the way there he mentioned that clothing was optional. We got to the Hot springs and and there is a strict no cell phone war. We were told that we either have to leave ourselves in the car or at the front desk with the management. There were personal changing rules, each one had a shower attached to it. There's enough space to put your belongings in do your make up or completely. Get ready if you want to go out after. There were five pools total each one was hotter than the next. The biggest pool was the coolest and you could swim in the pool the rest of the pools that hotter and hotter. The hottest pool is almost unbearable to sit in. Also you have to watch out for all the older hippies walking around naked, try as best as you can to not stare. The people who work there are really nice and they tend to the entire place very well. Everything is very clean. I do like that there is a gift shop at the entrance. I would like to go back. I may join the hippies in being nude.

Atmosphere The atmosphere was incredibly calming and…read morerelaxing. The creekside pools were my favorite part. Being right next to the flowing water made everything felt peaceful and grounding. We went a bit early, which helped because those pools do fill up fast, and we were able to have one to ourselves for a little while.It was quiet, people were respectful of noise levels, and all you could really hear was the water. The sky was a perfect blue that day, which made the whole experience even more beautiful. ‍ Pools and Amenities They have two large main pools that feel like swimming pools. One is hotter and the other is a medium temperature, and there is even a lap lane.They provide lockers at a cost for your belongings and lounging chairs where you can keep snacks or anything you bring with you. Everything felt clean and easy to use. Customer Service Customer service was great. The staff were super friendly, helpful, and welcoming, which really added to the experience. Accessibility and Parking Parking was easy and convenient. There are quite a few stairs throughout the property. If you have bad knees or mobility issues, I would recommend taking your time. There are railings at the main pools, but not at the creekside pools, so just be cautious. Price The price is $35 per person for an all day pass. They also offer senior discounts. For the experience, atmosphere, and amenities, it felt worth it. Overall Experience Overall, Mount Princeton Hot Springs is a gorgeous, peaceful place to relax and reset. I really enjoyed myself visiting and would definitely recommend it if you are looking for a calming getaway.

Mixed feelings. The layout of the place is confusing. I couldn't find an accessable entry. There…read morewere a lot of stairs. Lots of stairs. The staff at the historic bathhouse front desk was disinterested and unhelpful. Not pleasant like we were wasting their time. There are no clear instructions as to what a day pass entails, and questions are referred to a map but nothing else said. A portable map or more signage would be helpful. The staff just were there for a job and offered up nothing. One pool seemed to have too much chlorine. The pools are moderately hot. The creekside pools looked enjoyable but the one theme people said is "if you can get there." Truth, as even able-bodied youth appeared to have trouble scrambling ambling over boulder cobble Chalk Creek banks to gain entry. Seemed treacherous. A large pipe fed hot water into the cold creek. Fees like 10$ for towels with 5 dollar refund were nickel and diming in my opinion. The location is beautiful. The facility is well built. Nothing was clear as to layout and where to go. There are other hot springs in the region that fit our vibe. We will not return.

Sneaky cool park. Limited infrastructure that gets job done for access. Enough interpretative…read morecontent to get a sense of area. Really rock formations. Nice low key campsite. A cool place to check out.

One of my Earthwatch colleagues had this place on her "Bucket List". So after a long Friday out in…read morethe San Juan Rift, we stopped at Penitente Canyon for a hike and a few cold beers. Years ago, Penitente Canyon served as a place of worship for Los Hermanos Penitente. The Brothers, Spanish and Indian men of deep faith and commitment, preferred to live secluded in the foothills and canyons of the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo Mountains to practice their religion freely. In some areas you can see historic/religious painting left behind on the rocks. Penitente Canyon, while quite secluded, has also emerged as one of Colorado's premier rock climbing areas. The area is part of the 7,529 acre Penitente Canyon Special Recreation Management Area of the BLM. Our group had a wonderful time hiking the canyons, clamoring over the "Rock Garden" and watching climbers in various stages of ascent and decent. It's a beautiful area and well worth a trip in this somewhat remote region. Our late afternoon visit was also the perfect beginning of a busy weekend and a great opportunity to just hang out with new friends.