Chaffee County, home to Poncha Market in Poncha Springs, sits in a wide alpine valley ringed by fourteeners — and directly beneath it runs a string of natural geothermal water that surfaces at several well-known hot springs within a short drive. If you’re passing through and want to soak instead of just drive, here’s where to go.
This part of Colorado has enough natural hot springs within a short radius that a regional tourism designation, the Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop, was built specifically to guide travelers between them — a sign of just how many genuine options exist here compared to most of the state. That loop stretches well beyond Chaffee County alone, but the concentration of springs around Poncha Springs, Nathrop, Buena Vista, and Salida is one of its densest stretches.
Mount Princeton Hot Springs
The biggest hot springs resort in the county, Mount Princeton Hot Springs sits in Nathrop, roughly midway between Buena Vista and Salida. The property has operated since 1879, making it one of the oldest continuously used hot springs destinations in the state, and it offers a range of soaking and swimming pools filled with natural hot spring water at different temperatures.
Because it’s the largest and most developed of the options nearby, Mount Princeton also tends to be the busiest, particularly on weekends and holidays. Its long operating history and range of pool temperatures make it a reasonable default choice for first-time visitors to the area who aren’t sure which hot spring to pick. Arriving earlier in the day, when possible, generally means shorter waits and a quieter soak.
Cottonwood Hot Springs
Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa, also near Buena Vista, offers a quieter, smaller-scale soaking experience than Mount Princeton, with lodging on-site for visitors who want to stay near the springs rather than just pass through for an afternoon.
Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center
In town in Salida itself, the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center is known as the largest indoor hot springs facility in North America and functions as much as a community gathering place as a tourist stop — a practical option if you want a hot soak without a long drive out of town, or if weather makes an outdoor pool less appealing.
Antero Hot Springs Cabins
For a smaller, more secluded option, Antero Hot Springs Cabins offers private hot spring soaking tied to cabin stays, generally a better fit for travelers looking for privacy over a resort-style pool scene.
Unlike the larger resort-style pools, cabin-based soaking means the spring is typically reserved for your group alone during your stay, rather than shared with other visitors — a meaningful difference for travelers who find a crowded pool deck less appealing than the soak itself.
Choosing Between Them Based on What You Want
These four options aren’t really competing for the same visitor. A family looking for a resort day with multiple pool temperatures and on-site amenities is better served by Mount Princeton. A couple wanting a quiet overnight stay built around soaking is better served by Cottonwood. Someone who just wants a hot pool without leaving Salida itself should head straight for the Aquatic Center. And travelers prioritizing privacy over amenities should look at Antero’s cabin-based model instead.
Comparing the Options
| Location | Style | Distance from Poncha Springs (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Princeton Hot Springs | Large resort, multiple pools | ~20 minutes |
| Cottonwood Hot Springs | Smaller, quieter, with lodging | ~25 minutes |
| Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center | Indoor community pool facility | ~10 minutes |
| Antero Hot Springs Cabins | Private, cabin-based soaking | ~20 minutes |
Planning a Hot Springs Day (or Half-Day)
Most of these options sit close enough to Poncha Market that a hot springs stop pairs naturally with fuel, food, or an EV charging session — either on the way in or the way out. Winter is a particularly popular time to visit, since soaking in naturally heated water against a backdrop of snow is one of those experiences that’s genuinely better in cold weather than warm.
Summer visits are worth planning slightly differently. Pool water that feels pleasant in freezing air can feel considerably less refreshing on a hot July afternoon, so many locals treat these springs as more of a cool-morning or evening activity once summer temperatures climb, rather than a midday stop.
- Bring a towel and a change of clothes — not every location provides them.
- Winter visits often mean walking a short, cold stretch from the changing area to the pool; footwear you don’t mind getting wet helps.
- Some locations require reservations, especially on weekends; calling ahead is worth it rather than assuming walk-in availability.
- Combine a soak with a meal at Mabel’s Deli either before or after — a warm meal pairs well with a cold-weather soak in either direction.
Why This Area Has So Many Hot Springs
The concentration of hot springs around Chaffee County isn’t a coincidence — it’s tied to the same geology that built the surrounding mountains. Fault lines running along the base of the Sawatch Range allow geothermally heated groundwater to rise close enough to the surface to feed natural springs at several points along the valley, which is why this stretch of Colorado has more named hot springs within a short drive of each other than most of the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest hot springs resort near Poncha Springs?
Mount Princeton Hot Springs, in Nathrop, is the largest in Chaffee County and has operated since 1879.
Is there an indoor hot springs option?
Yes — the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center is an indoor facility described as the largest indoor hot springs facility in North America.
How far are the hot springs from Poncha Market?
Most options are within about 10 to 25 minutes by car, making a soak an easy add-on to a fuel or food stop at Poncha Market.
Do I need a reservation for the hot springs?
It depends on the location and season; weekends and winter are busier, so calling ahead is a reasonable precaution.
Is soaking in hot springs good in winter?
Many visitors consider winter the best season for hot springs specifically because of the contrast between the cold air and heated water.
Why does Chaffee County have so many hot springs?
Fault lines along the base of the Sawatch Range allow geothermally heated groundwater to surface at several distinct points across the valley, rather than at just one location.
Which hot spring is best for a family with kids?
Mount Princeton Hot Springs, with its range of pool temperatures and larger resort setup, is generally the most family-friendly of the options in the area.
Which hot spring is quietest or most private?
Antero Hot Springs Cabins, since soaking is tied to a private cabin stay rather than a shared resort pool deck.
Can I visit a hot spring and a fourteener on the same trip?
Yes — Mount Princeton Hot Springs sits directly below Mount Princeton itself, making the pairing especially convenient. See our Sawatch Range 14ers guide.
Planning a soak? Fuel up and eat at Poncha Market first, or see our Buena Vista vs. Poncha Springs guide for more on the area.
For a broader regional overview of the area’s hot springs, see the Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop’s Chaffee County guide.
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