The top 10 best hot springs in the country have been announced and an East Coast destination takes the top spot.
While hot springs are common in the western states, including Arizona, Colorado and Utah, only a few are found on the East Coast.
Hot springs, also called hydrothermal vents, consist of geothermally heated groundwater that is located on the Earth’s surface. The water is heated by magma or by circulation through fractures in the Earth’s crust.
People have long enjoyed hot springs for their healing, relaxing and therapeutic benefits. Other locations on the East Coast can be found in North Carolina, New York and Pennsylvania.
Top travel experts with Today in the US have listed the top 10 best hot springs in the US for you. They all offer their own unique oasis of tranquility.
The Omni Homestead Resort in Virginia features the country’s very first spa building, built in 1761 (pictured)
1. Hot Springs, Virginia – Warm Springs Pools at The Omni Homestead Resort
The Omni Homestead Resort has welcomed guests for more than 250 years, including 24 U.S. presidents, according to the website. This is where the very first spa is located: an enclosed space built in 1761.
In addition to luxury hotel rooms, a water park, dining options and golf courses, the resort features the iconic Warm Spring Pools.
From Tuesday to Friday a 50-minute bath costs $30 per person and on weekends and major holidays it costs $35 per person.
While some hot springs invite guests to soak in the warm waters naked, the resort requires guests to wear swimwear.
The hot spring is immune to weather changes because the natural water remains crystal clear and has a high mineral content. 1.7 billion gallons of water flows through the hot spring daily.
The Springs Resort’s hot springs are known for their ‘healing powers’
2. Pagosa Springs, Colorado – The Springs Resort
The Springs Resort’s hot springs are known for their “healing powers,” according to the website.
The source of the hot spring is the ‘Mother Spring’, the deepest geothermal location in the world.
The enormous hot springs flow into 25 separate pools, each with their own size and temperature range.
Hotel guests can enjoy the hot springs for 24 hours, while others can purchase general admission tickets for $67. Three-day passes can be booked for $134.
Iron Mountain Hot Springs is located on the banks of the Colorado River, with 32 hot springs to choose from
3. Glenwood Springs, Colorado – Iron Mountain Hot Springs
Located on the banks of the Colorado River, Iron Mountain Hot Springs offers 32 hot springs to choose from.
There is even an adults-only section, specially designed to mimic the geothermal waters in Japan, Turkey, Iceland and other countries.
There’s also a cute heart-shaped pool, perfect for a romantic getaway, and other options suitable for families.
At Glen Ivy Hot Springs, the 40 degree warm pools are the ‘heart of the resort’
4. Temescal Valley, California – Glen Ivy Hot Springs
At Glen Ivy Hot Springs, the 40-degree hot pools are the ‘heart of the resort’.
The water in the resorts is full of minerals, including magnesium, sulfur, potassium, sodium and calcium.
The resort also offers mineral baths, a saltwater pool, Roman baths, hot and cold plunge pools and much more.
About 110 miles outside of Portland, Breitenbush Hot Springs are ideal for a perfect relaxation session
5. Detroit, Oregon – Breitenbush Hot Springs
About 110 miles (177 kilometers) outside of Portland lies the Breitenbush Hot Springs is the perfect place for ultimate relaxation.
The hot springs are located near a national forest, in a remote wilderness area with little to no Wi-Fi or cell phone service.
The natural pools and spiral pools are clothing-free, so you can go for a day or stay for a while to escape the outside world.
Located between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa offers a peaceful oasis for guests
6. San Luis Obispo, California – Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
Located between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa offers guests an oasis of tranquility.
The resort’s hot springs are packed with sulfur, boron, potassium, magnesium and sodium, offering people the chance to “restore the spirit, nourish the mind and heal the body.”
According to the resort websiteThanks to their hot springs, people can reduce stress, sleep better and relieve muscle and joint pain.
The massive Glenwood Hot Springs Resort offers ‘new’ Yampah Mineral Baths for guests
7. Glenwood Springs, Colorado – Glenwood Hot Springs Resort
The massive Glenwood Hot Springs Resort offers “new” Yampah Mineral Baths for guests.
The oasis also offers people the chance to experience cold waterfalls, cascading waterfalls and ‘holy waters’.
The resort also features a gift shop, whitewater rafting, a wellness center and suites where guests can stay and relax.
This campground-inspired resort offers guests the chance to take a dip in a series of hot springs just eight miles north of the entrance to Yellowstone Park
8. Gardiner, Montana – Yellowstone Hot Springs Resort
This campground-style resort offers guests the chance to take a dip in a number of hot springs, just eight miles north of the entrance to Yellowstone Park.
The water contains minerals such as boron, lithium, cesium, sodium and chloride.
Guests can stay at the resort for weeks at a time, all year round and depending on the season, in campers and tents.
The Spa at Séc-he features 22 private indoor mineral pools that guests can enjoy in swimwear or nude
9. Palm Springs, California – The Spa at Séc-he
The Séc-he Spa features 22 private mineral pools that guests can enjoy in bathing suits or nude.
The resort also offers a unique experience called ‘Mineral Water Yoga’, where guests can relax, stretch and move in soothing water.
There is also a large 1570 m² pool terrace with a large outdoor pool and a built-in waterfall.
Moccasin Springs Natural Mineral Spa is open to adults 18 years and older and offers six outdoor natural mineral pools that are non-chlorinated
10. Hot Springs, South Dakota – Moccasin Springs Natural Mineral Spa
Moccasin Springs Natural Mineral Spa is open to adults 18 years and older and features six outdoor natural mineral water pools that are non-chlorinated.
The baths have a temperature of 27-40°C.
The spa also offers guests other relaxing services, including massages, aromatherapy treatments, cupping, hot stone treatments and more.
