Unwind Naturally at Valley View Hot Springs Colorado
Geothermal Pools, Wildlife, and Mountain Views
Valley View Hot Springs in Colorado offers natural pools with mountain views and quiet trails. I found the water warm and clear. The air smells fresh. Wildlife moves through the trees while you soak.
You can choose from several pools at different temperatures. Some are open to the sky. Others sit in the shade. The place feels peaceful. I met people who come here to relax and disconnect.
Have you thought about visiting a place where you can unwind and listen to nature? Valley View Hot Springs gives you that chance.
Overview of Valley View Hot Springs Colorado
Valley View Hot Springs Colorado offers you natural geothermal pools set on a private wildlife preserve. Water flows through several rock and man-made soaking areas with temperatures ranging from 90°F to 107°F.
You’ll find outdoor pools scattered along the hillside, each with its own view of the San Luis Valley and Sangre de Cristo Mountains. A few soaking pools stay shaded, while others sit open under the Colorado sky.
Buildings onsite include a historic bathhouse with indoor hot soaking tubs and eco-friendly showers. The property also operates an off-grid hydroelectric power system for lighting and facilities.
Wildlife like deer, birds, and foxes cross the open meadows surrounding the pools. Owners limit daily visitor numbers so you share the space with few others.
Tent camping, RV sites, and rustic cabins line the property. Accommodations stay simple and quiet, with most visitors arriving for solitude and a digital break—cell service stays limited.
Most guests soak nude. The resort welcomes all ages and identities and maintains a family-friendly environment. If you stay overnight, you’re likely to see dark, starry skies without city lights.
You access Valley View Hot Springs Colorado by a gravel road 6 miles east of Villa Grove. Staff recommends high-clearance vehicles when snow or rain falls.
Have you ever watched steam rise from hot water with mountain shadows stretching behind you? At Valley View, that’s ordinary.
Location and Natural Surroundings
Valley View Hot Springs sits on the edge of the San Luis Valley in south-central Colorado. The property rests at the western base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, inside the Orient Land Trust wildlife preserve.
Getting There
I reach Valley View Hot Springs by driving about 45 miles north from Alamosa or 28 miles south from Salida on US Highway 285. At Villa Grove, I turn east onto County Road GG. This gravel road stretches for about 9 miles.
Road conditions change, especially during spring runoff or after rain. A high-clearance vehicle helps when ruts or mud deepen.
Cell signal drops out after Villa Grove. GPS directions end at the front gate, found at 37.9832° N, 105.9149° W.
Scenic Highlights
Steam drifts from geothermal pools against a backdrop of piñon, juniper, and cottonwood trees. I spot deer and foxes at dawn near the lower ponds. Mule deer sometimes graze near the upper trail.
Clear days open views down the San Luis Valley to the distant Great Sand Dunes. At night, I watch stars spread across a sky free of city light.
Lush wetlands surround the lower pools, home to frogs and songbirds. Ravens and hawks circle the ridgeline at midday. Oak and ponderosa pines shade several hiking trails north of the main pools.
I often hear wind in the trees and the trickle of spring water, with mountain slopes rising steeply behind me and open valley below.
Hot Springs Features and Amenities
Valley View Hot Springs offers natural geothermal soaking, solar-powered comforts, and basic conveniences. I find the blend of off-grid sustainability and access to undeveloped nature sets it apart.
Pools and Soaking Options
Each pool and pond uses direct geothermal flow, keeping water fresh and clean.
You can move between several different soaking areas:
- The main swimming pool holds a steady 90°F, easy to access from the Bathhouse.
- The historic Bathhouse features two tiled indoor tubs, each at 104°F.
- The upper ponds reach 105°F and sit among trees for privacy.
- The lower ponds stay cooler, usually between 98°F and 100°F, with views overlooking the San Luis Valley.
- Cascading pools let you try a range of temperatures within just a few steps.
Day and night, most people soak nude. Have you ever relaxed in a hot spring under bright stars with only the sound of frogs and wind for company?
Lodging and Camping Facilities
Valley View Hot Springs operates on a reservation basis, filling up most weekends.
Tent sites spread across open meadows and private nooks. RV sites come with no hookups, supporting the preserve’s off-grid setup. I always recommend confirming RV length before booking.
Cabins offer basic shelter. Each has beds and heat but no running water. Bathrooms and showers are shared and kept clean.
Shared kitchen facilities let you prepare meals. The historic Oak House offers meeting space and a communal area.
Lodging stays simple and quiet. Disconnecting is easy — don’t expect Wi-Fi or dependable cell service. What would you do with a weekend free from digital noise and urban services?
Unique Experiences and Activities
Valley View Hot Springs offers more than just soaking. I see guests joining wildlife walks and gathering at community events that bring people together.
Wildlife and Nature Trails
I spot mule deer, red foxes, and over 120 bird species. Early mornings offer a high chance to see animals near water sources. Do you notice the sandhill cranes when migration peaks in March?
I hike maintained trails across cottonwood groves, open meadows, and forested hills. Some trails, like the Waterfall Trail, end at clear waterfalls. Wildflowers bloom along paths in May and June. Benches along the route invite quiet observation.
Naturalists lead walks most weekends. They point out rare orchids, interpret animal tracks, and share tips on ethical wildlife viewing.
Community Events and Programs
I join group soaks in the upper ponds after dark. Most weeks, guests host acoustic music nights in the main lodge with local musicians.
Workshops teach astronomy, renewable energy, or geology. In August, amateur astronomers gather for Perseid meteor watching, handing out star maps and telescopes.
Volunteer programs welcome visitors. I help maintain trails, restore habitats for hummingbirds, or record wildlife sightings for the preserve’s database.
Local artists organize plein air painting days along the ponds. The annual autumn equinox celebration draws regular visitors for sunrise gatherings and shared meals.
Each activity builds on the valley view hot springs experience—connecting guests to nature, community, and the broader landscape.
Visitor Tips and Recommendations
Valley View Hot Springs rewards you for coming prepared and timing your visit. Small details can shape your experience.
What to Bring
Pack a swimsuit if you prefer modesty. Most visitors soak nude—children and families do visit regularly. Bring two towels, as wet ones dry slowly in mountain air. Wear sandals or water shoes for rocky paths and natural pools. Layer-up with warm clothing for cool mornings and evenings, even in summer. Carry a refillable water bottle—pool hopping and high altitude make dehydration common. Use reusable bags and containers; Valley View manages waste off-grid. Bring a flashlight or headlamp, since walkways have minimal lighting at night. Leave electronics behind, as reception rarely works and the location encourages disconnecting.
Best Times to Visit
Visit on weekdays for the quietest experience. Weekends and holidays often reach capacity—Valley View limits daily guests, so book ahead if your dates aren’t flexible. Arrive in spring and fall for mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer brings warm days, cool nights, and the clearest skies for stargazing. Winter months offer solitude and wildlife sightings like birds and foxes but require careful driving on icy gravel roads—high-clearance vehicles handle the access road best after storms. Ask yourself what’s most important: solitude, stars, warm air, or wildlife? The timing you choose shapes what you find.
Pros and Cons of Valley View Hot Springs Colorado
Valley View Hot Springs Colorado offers remote geothermal pools, wildlife, and dark skies. Some features support relaxation and digital disconnection. Others present real challenges.
Pros
Quiet pools allow you to soak without crowds. Most days, 30 to 75 guests visit, rarely exceeding 100, so you find solitude.
Clothing-optional soaking encourages comfort and body acceptance. Families and solo visitors say the environment feels safe and respectful.
Clean water from natural geothermal flow refreshes every pond and tub. Pools range from 90°F to 107°F, letting you pick your temperature.
Dark skies draw stargazers each summer. You see the Milky Way, with minimal light pollution.
Wildlife sightings add variety. Guests spot deer, foxes, birds, and bats during short hikes or while soaking at dawn.
Hydroelectric power and off-grid systems back up every modern convenience. Valley View runs on renewable energy, promoting eco-conscious travel.
Primitive camping, RV spots, and cabins offer multiple lodging choices. The area stays quiet even when full.
Community events like group soaks and astronomy nights offer chances to meet people with similar interests.
Cons
Remote location means a 2-mile gravel road, sometimes rough after rain. Standard vehicles can reach it, but you risk getting stuck in spring runoff. High-clearance vehicles handle muddy conditions more safely.
Cell service stays weak or unavailable. You lose all digital connectivity once on-site.
Nudity may surprise first-time visitors. Guests observe etiquette, but you might not feel comfortable with the clothing-optional culture.
Basic cabins include shared restrooms and showers, but no private bathrooms. Showers fill quickly in the morning.
Minimal nighttime lighting requires you to carry a flashlight after dark.
Lodging books out months in advance, especially in fall and during events. Spontaneous trips rarely succeed.
Wildlife appears often, but bugs peak in summer. Mosquitoes or deer flies sometimes disrupt evening soaking.
Water temperatures can fluctuate daily with air temperature and geothermal flow. Some ponds feel too warm or cool in changing weather.
Do you value digital silence, natural beauty, or free-form soaking? Assess if these benefits outweigh the trade-offs for your trip.
Every time I visit Valley View Hot Springs I’m reminded how rare it is to find a place that feels so untouched and welcoming. There’s something special about soaking in warm water while watching the sun dip behind the mountains or hearing nothing but the sounds of nature all around me.
Whether I’m hiking the trails or sharing stories with new friends by the ponds I always leave feeling refreshed and a little more connected to the world. If you’re craving peace quiet and a genuine escape this Colorado gem might just steal your heart too.