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These 7 Hot Spring Towns Are Actually Worth the Drive

These fantastic hot spring towns are well worth a detour.

By Shayne Jacopian on June 8, 2018

Hot Springs, MT
Hot Springs / Courtesy of Spencer Blake under a CC 2.0 license.
Chico Hot Springs Resort in Hot Springs, MT.

If you’re still firming up your summer travel plans, we have two words for you: hot springs. Whether you add a hot springs stop to an existing road trip itinerary or make a pilgrimage specifically to take a dip in naturally heated water, a hot springs visit is always a good idea. These seven towns and cities are home to beautiful hot springs, but they’re also great places to explore once you dry off.  

Hot Springs, AR
Hot Springs / Courtesy of Nicolas Henderson under a CC 2.0 license.

Hot Springs, AR

Hot Springs, AR’s hot springs run right through the middle of town underneath Bathhouse Row. This section of the vibrant downtown area is one of the city’s best attractions and features over 15 salons and spas, some of which have been servings guests for over 100 years. Adjacent to the town is Hot Springs National Park, which offers a nearby nature retreat with some excellent hiking.

Glenwood Springs, CO
Glenwood Springs / Courtesy of Jason Cipriani under a CC 2.0 license.

Glenwood Springs, CO

Home of the largest mineral hot springs pool in the world, Glenwood Springs is a great place to visit if you just want to relax. If you want to get active, though, the town isn’t far from the Glenwood Canyon and the White River National Forest, which offer visitors an abundance of river sports and hiking trails.

Big Bend, CA
Big Bend / Courtesy of jenkinson2455 under a CC 2.0 license.

Big Bend, CA

Located in mountainous terrain in northern California, Big Bend is a great stop on a road trip through the Golden State. A relatively unpopulated part of the state, Big Bend is an ideal destination for anyone those looking for solitude in a natural and undeveloped setting while they visit the Pit River and the nearby hot springs.

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Warm Springs, GA
Warm Springs / Courtesy of Matt Turner under a CC 2.0 license.

Warm Springs, GA

Located an hour outside of Atlanta, Warm Springs is a great destination for a short day trip out of the city. The spring, while not open for public use for swimming, is at the center of one of the town’s historic attractions, the Roosevelt Institute, where it was used by people with polio-related disabilities for its therapeutic properties. Tours of this historic site are available, and visitors to Warm Springs can also tour Franklin D. Roosevelt’s home. The 9,047-acre FDR State Park is also nearby.

Saratoga, WY
Saratoga / Courtesy of Dave Thomas under a CC 2.0 license.

Saratoga, WY

The Saratoga Hot Springs Resort is a great stop on any hot spring road trip. In addition to teepee-covered pools, Saratoga has a scenic public golf course and amenities including restaurants and brewpubs.

Port Angeles, WA
Port Angeles East / Courtesy of Esther Lee under a CC 2.0 license.

Port Angeles, WA

Located only 20 miles from Olympic Hot Springs is the Pacific Northwest gem of Port Angeles, WA. Located in Olympic National Park, these springs are surrounded by over 1,400 square miles of largely untouched wilderness. The town of Port Angeles is home to a thriving art community, with sculptures located throughout the downtown district. The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center is worth a visit for the artistically inclined, as is Webster’s Woods, a “museum without walls†featuring over 125 sculptures.

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Hot Springs, MT
Hot Springs / Courtesy of Spencer Blake under a CC 2.0 license.

Hot Springs, MT

Situated right in the middle of several national forests, Hot Springs, MT is another great destination for folks who want some peace and quiet on their hot spring road trip. With a population of only about 500 residents, if solitude is what you want, you’ll find it here while you soak in mineral pools surrounded by miles of national forest. Springs can be found both in Hot Springs, MT, and in nearby Paradise, MT, which is only a short half-hour drive away.

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