What to Bring to Colorado Hot Springs: The Complete Packing Guide

Colorado hot springs come in every flavor — historic resorts in Glenwood Springs, clothing-optional retreats in the San Juans, and wild pools at the end of a trail. But between the altitude (most springs sit between 5,700 and 11,000+ feet), intense sun, and 40-degree daily temperature swings, showing up underprepared can cut a soak short. Here’s everything to pack, whether you’re headed to a developed resort or a backcountry pool.

Print the packing checklist → — a one-page printable version you can tape to the fridge or toss in your pack.

The Essentials: Any Spring, Any Season

• Swimsuit (quick-dry) — required at nearly all developed springs; a spare is smart
• Towel — resorts usually rent them for a few dollars, but primitive pools provide nothing; a compact microfiber towel is ideal for hike-in springs
• Water bottle (32 oz+) — altitude plus hot mineral water dehydrates you fast; pack more than you think you need
• Water shoes or grippy sport sandals — natural pool bottoms are rocky and algae-slick; flip-flops fall off and won’t protect your feet in the water
• Dry bag or plastic bag — for wet suits and towels in the car
• Change of clothes and underwear
• Mineral/non-nano sunscreen and SPF lip balm — UV exposure is significantly stronger at 7,000+ feet, even on cloudy days
• Cash and card — entry fees typically run $5–$30+, and some rural springs are cash-only
• Snacks — see below, and don’t skip these

Food and Drink

Soaking in hot water makes you sweat and burn through salt and calories faster than most people expect. Dizziness is usually dehydration or low blood sugar — both preventable.

• Salty snacks: trail mix, jerky, chips, electrolyte drink mix or tablets
• Substantial snacks: sandwiches or fruit for longer days
• Cooler and ice for summer trips
• Limit alcohol — combined with altitude and heat, it’s a fast track to lightheadedness. Alternate soaks with water instead.

Clothing and Layers

Colorado weather changes fast, and the walk from pool to changing room in January is no joke.

Summer:

• Light layers, sun hat, sunglasses
• Rain shell — afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August

Winter:

• Insulated coat, beanie, and gloves — wet hair can freeze in minutes
• Waterproof slip-on sandals or boots you can shed easily at the pool edge
• Microspikes if a primitive spring requires an icy trail approach
• A robe or oversized parka to change under

Year-round:

• Flip-flops for locker rooms and showers at resorts
• Rinse your swimsuit after your soak — mineral water is hard on elastic

If You’re Hiking Into (or Camping Near) a Spring

Several Colorado springs require real effort to reach — Rainbow Hot Springs is a roughly 5-mile hike into the Weminuche Wilderness, and Conundrum Hot Springs near Aspen requires an overnight permit. A few others allow on-site or nearby camping (Valley View Hot Springs, for example).

Backpacking checklist:

• Tent with rainfly and stakes
• Sleeping bag rated to 20–30°F — nights stay cold even in July at 9,000–11,000 feet
• Sleeping pad
• Camp stove, meals, and extra snacks
• Headlamp (use red-light mode near shared pools after dark)
• Water filter — soak in spring water, but never drink it
• Rain shell and warm layers
• Toilet kit: trowel or WAG bag, toilet paper, hand sanitizer
• Bear-resistant food storage where required
• Offline maps or GPS — primitive springs rarely have cell service

For car camping, add camp chairs, a lantern, and a cooler.

What NOT to Bring

• Glass of any kind — banned at essentially every spring, for obvious reasons
• Alcohol — prohibited at many springs, including family-friendly and clothing-optional sites; check the rules for your destination
• Speakers and drones — soaking is a quiet activity
• Pets — most springs don’t allow dogs (service animals excepted)
• Lotions, oils, and freshly applied sunscreen — they clog filters and pollute natural pools; apply well before arriving or rinse off first
• Valuables — leave them at your lodging or use lockers where available

Resort vs. Primitive Springs: What Changes

Quick-Grab Checklist

• Swimsuit (+ spare)
• Towel / microfiber towel
• Water bottle (32 oz+)
• Water shoes or sport sandals
• Snacks + electrolytes
• Sunscreen + SPF lip balm
• Change of clothes
• Bag for wet gear
• Cash/card for entry fees
• Winter add-ons: coat, beanie, waterproof sandals, microspikes
• Backcountry add-ons: tent, 20–30°F bag, pad, headlamp, water filter, stove, toilet kit

FAQ

Do I need to bring my own towel? At developed resorts, usually no — most rent them for a few dollars. For primitive springs, always yes.

Can I wear a t-shirt and shorts in the water? Most developed springs require proper swimwear. Check the rules on each spring’s page before you go.

Can I bring a cooler? Yes at most outdoor springs, but glass is always prohibited — use cans and reusable containers.

How much water should I drink? Plan on at least a liter per person for a couple hours of soaking, and sip between soaks — not just after.

Are kids allowed? Many springs welcome families during the day; some go adults-only or clothing-optional after dark. Each spring’s page lists its policies.

Where Are You Soaking Next?

Pack once, then pick your pool:

• Glenwood Hot Springs — the classic big-resort experience, rentals on-site
• Strawberry Park Hot Springs — rustic steamboat-area soak
• Pagosa Hot Springs — home of the world’s deepest measured geothermal spring
• Orvis Hot Springs — clothing-optional retreat in the San Juans
• Rainbow Hot Springs — a wilderness hike worth the effort
• Penny Hot Springs — free roadside pools on the Crystal River