The Springs Resort Bath House
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One of the major parts of any trip to Pagosa Springs is to take a dip in their famous sulfur hot springs. There is no better place to do this in town than to visit the Springs Resort Bath House.
The Springs Resort Bath House is located just south of US 160 along Hot Springs Boulevard. The bath house is located to the right just after the visitors center once crossing the bridge over the San Juan River. The Parking lot for the bath house and visitors center can easily fill up, but fortunately any of the parking in central Pagosa is within a short walking distance to the springs.
Guests of the Springs Resort have entry into the bath house as part of their accommodations. Besides having complimentary passes, guests also have 24 hour access to the pools. The bath house otherwise is open to the public from 9am to 10pm. The Springs Resort does have a great location in town and nearly every restaurant is a short walking distance from it, so next time we might have to actually stay at the resort.
The public entry fee to the bathhouse varies depending on guest age and what day of the week you’re visiting. Children 12 and under cost $25 Sunday through Thursday and $29 for Friday and Saturday. For anyone 13 and older the cost is $49 Sunday through Thursday and $55 for Friday and Saturday. Our only issue with the entry cost is it is the same no matter what time of the day one comes to enter. If the cost was for a 24 hours period it would be great, but unfortunately it doesn’t work that way. The last time we visited, we begrudgingly paid $45 each for entry at 8 pm when there was only 2 hours left in the day. The first time we visited a few years prior we purchased a 3-day pass which was a great value, but for some reason they discontinued having that option. The best option now is to buy a pass in the morning and use the pools as much as you can throughout the day.
In the past few years since our first visit the Spring Resort has started to nickel and dime everything they can. It now costs extra to get a towel, when before they used to be provided. Guests of the Springs Resort do have towels and robes provided. Fortunately, the BnB we were staying at gave us towels specifically to use at the springs. Another new feature is the locker system in the locker rooms. Before, using the lockers would be free with admittance to the bath house, but now they’re using a digital vending machine system that costs $5 to rent a locker. It’s a shame that the resort has now started to charge for every small convenience. Fortunately for guests, using the showers in the locker room is still free of charge.
The Springs Bath House offers a terraced overlook of the San Juan River that features 19 different pools. There are also 5 VIP adult-only pools that are for members and resort guests. The hot spring that feeds the pools is the deepest geothermal hot spring in the world. This spring is a sulfur hot spring, so the pools and steam have a strong sulfur smell. Initially the smell is a bit off-putting, but after a short time you get used to it and won’t even notice while soaking in the soothing pools.
The pools themself vary in size from one to another, but they are generally large enough to comfortably fit about 8-12 guests. The pools range from 83-114 °F (28-46 °C), so this ensures there is a comfortable temperature for every guest. Migrating from pool to pool is something most guests do. We typically start in the low 100s and slowly make our way to hotter pools.
There are a few unique pools throughout the terrace. The Lobster Pot is the hottest pool available. The Cliffs pool is situated in the middle of the Golden Pond and guests have to walk through the cool water of the pond to reach the elevated pool within it. The Serendipity pool is backed up against the rocks right along the river and offers an elevated view of the area. The Plunge is just an area where guests can sit in the river itself. Our favorite pool is the Burg which is a spring fed pool at the base of the river. The river continuously flows over the rocks of the pool boundary and mixes with the hot spring water. This makes the pool a bit cooler than the others but it’s great to basically sit in the river, but not be in the cold waters.
We personally like to visit the springs on a cold night. This not only lets us warm up from the cold, but also lets us enjoy the atmosphere of the calm evening in the springs as they fill the air with steam.
The Springs Resort Bath House has a bar in the middle of the terrace for guests to purchase drinks. Just make sure to drink water as well since the hot springs will dehydrate you over time.
The Springs Resort Bath House is definitely one of our favorite places to visit while in Pagosa Springs. The multitude of pools, locations, and temperatures make it great for anyone. It’s just a bit unfortunate that the resort now charges for every minor convenience. Regardless, this spot is still a must visit for anyone in town, but just make sure you make the most of your day pass.
Google Maps Link: The Springs Resort Bath House
