Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa: A Reimagined Colorado Hot Springs Retreat
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In Durango, Colorado, snow-globe magic meets still water and soft light, and you can bookend the most adventurous weekend with the exhale of an outdoor soak and a spa treatment.
Welcome to Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa, a Colorado hot spring resort just 20 minutes from Purgatory Ski Area.
As someone who spends a lot of time exploring mountain towns across the US, I’m always drawn to places that balance exhilaration with a bit of rest. A place that embraces and expands on the mountain experience in the most unexpected and relaxing ways.
I can easily imagine slipping into one of Durango’s terraced pools after an adventurous day in the snow, watching steam rise against the surrounding landscape, and knowing that this, finally, is the slow side of adventure I’ve been craving.
If you’re travels are bringing you anywhere near Durango this winter, put this magical destination on your itinerary.
At-A-Glance: Durango Hot Springs & Resort
Location: Eight miles north of downtown Durango and 15 miles south of Purgatory Ski Resort, in the scenic Animas Valley. It’s a perfect stop along the San Juan Skyway Scenic and Historic Byway, which connects Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Ridgway, Telluride, Cortez, and Mesa Verde National Park.
Hours & Access: Timed reservations ensure a calm, crowd-free experience. Guests can choose between the family-friendly pool area or the hillside adults-only section.
Accessibility: Thirteen ADA-compliant thermal pools and an aquatic wheelchair make soaking accessible to everyone. Additional features include ramped entries, accessible restrooms, and private changing areas.
What to Bring: Swimwear, a refillable water bottle, and a relaxed mindset. Robes, towels, and lockers are available on-site. Spa guests receive complimentary soaking access with their treatment.
Pro Tip: For the most peaceful experience, book an evening soak as the sun dips behind the horizon, when the air cools, the steam rises, and the stars begin to appear.
Also Read: The Most Amazing Natural Hot Springs for Winter Bliss
A Legacy of Healing in the Heart of the Animas Valley
Long before this became one of the most celebrated Colorado hot springs, people came here for the healing power of the water. The geothermal springs at Durango Hot Springs have been used since 1000–1200 A.D., with early visitors recognizing their restorative qualities.
In 1874, Frank Trimble discovered the same benefits and, eight years later, opened a hotel, calling it Trimble Hot Springs. Over the next century, the resort evolved through fires, rebuilds, and famous guests, with a focus always centered around its mineral-rich waters.
In 2019, new owners ushered the property into a new era, investing more than $14 million to preserve its heritage while creating a modern wellness retreat.
A Colorado Hot Spring Resort Designed for Renewal
Today, the reimagined Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa features 40 water attractions, including 32 terraced hot-spring-fed mineral pools (99°–112°F), two cold plunges, a 25-meter freshwater pool, a raintower, and five private cedar ofuro tubs.
Each pool offers a different experience; some are family-friendly, others are tucked into an adults-only hillside section surrounded by ponderosa pines and dramatic cliffs.
The resort also features 13 ADA-accessible pools and numerous inclusive amenities, ensuring everyone can enjoy the healing power of Colorado hot springs.
The sound of flowing water ties the entire property together. Every pool is refreshed every two hours by a natural flow-through system, creating the most peaceful soundtrack of trickling streams and gentle splashes.
The Science (and Serenity) Behind the Soak
The mineral waters at Durango Hot Springs contain 32 elements naturally found in the human body, including magnesium, calcium, and sulfate, minerals known to relax muscles, improve circulation, and ease joint stiffness.
Unlike many hot springs, these waters are sulfate-rich but free of the strong sulfur scent often associated with geothermal pools.
What makes Durango Hot Springs truly unique is its pioneering use of medical-grade oxygen nanobubbles — 1 trillion per liter — making it the first natural hot spring in the world to infuse oxygen into its mineral waters. This fusion of natural healing and technology enhances skin repair, boosts collagen production, and promotes overall recovery, perfect after a day playing in the mountains.
Après-Ski, Elevated
Although I’m not a skier, I can imagine trading my ski boots for a swimsuit after a day at Purgatory Ski Resort, named one of Condé Nast Traveler’s best ski areas for 2025.
The resort’s Athlete’s Rescue massage and Leg Vitality treatment are designed specifically for post-ski recovery, easing tension and restoring energy for another day of mountain bliss.
The Stone Cold Fire massage alternates between hot and cold stones to reduce inflammation and increase blood flow, while customized facials using Eminence Organic Skin Care products help restore the skin’s natural radiance.
Spa guests receive two hours of complimentary soaking time with any 50-minute treatment or longer, making it easy to create a whole afternoon of recovery and relaxation.
Thoughtful Details and Mountain Calm
Every part of Durango Hot Springs seems to encourage relaxation and mindfulness, from the reflexology walking path and raintower to the wildlife-friendly botanic gardens that bloom year-round.
The property is a National Wildlife Federation–certified habitat, home to more than 250 plant species that attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and songbirds.
Even practical touches like family changing rooms, filtered water stations, and accessible pathways show how thoughtfully this Colorado hot spring resort has been designed.
Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa feels like the perfect embodiment of Colorado’s spirit: rooted in natural beauty, shaped by history, and always looking for the next adventure.
If I’ve learned anything from years of chasing mountain adventures, it’s that true rejuvenation comes from contrast. From movement and stillness, the exhilaration of a snowy adventure to the calm of hot water surrounded by jaw-dropping beauty. Durango Hot Springs captures that balance beautifully, and I can’t wait to plan a trip.
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