Hot Springs Near Buena Vista, Colorado

Why the Arkansas River valley has so many hot springs

Chaffee County has more natural hot springs than almost anywhere in Colorado. Soaking is part of everyday life here — locals go year-round, especially after a day on the trail or the ski hill.

Cottonwood Hot Springs

Just west of Buena Vista on the road toward Cottonwood Pass, Cottonwood Hot Springs offers a rustic, relaxed soaking experience in the trees.

Charlotte Hot Springs & Botanical Gardens

Charlotte Hot Springs is the newest soak in the valley, about five miles west of Buena Vista at 19256 County Road 343 along Cottonwood Creek. It's a small, boutique spot run by a longtime local family, with three intimate pools of natural spring water at different temperatures and views of the Sawatch Range and national forest.

It's open year-round with day passes sold on site (no reservations for the public pools), plus locker and towel rentals. Locals in Chaffee and nearby counties can buy punch passes. Next door, the family's Merrifield Homestead Cabins rent private cabins with their own hot springs.

Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort

South of Buena Vista near Nathrop, Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort sits at the mouth of Chalk Creek Canyon beneath the white Chalk Cliffs. It's the valley's best-known resort, with a large main pool, relaxation pools, a summer water slide and — the local favorite — natural soaking pools right in Chalk Creek, where hot spring water mixes with the cold creek.

The resort also has a lodge, cabins, a restaurant and a spa, making it an easy pick for visiting family. It's about a 15-minute drive from downtown Buena Vista. Check the resort's website for current hours and day-pass rules, since some areas can require advance booking.

Living near the hot springs

The Nathrop and Chalk Creek areas offer acreage, cabins and custom homes with mountain views — a great fit if you want quiet surroundings and a short drive to a soak.