Steaming hot spring pool with a curved stone edge beside a log cabin, with snow-dusted mountains behind

Avalanche Ranch

Resort · Redstone

Avalanche Ranch is a cabin and hot springs property in the Crystal River Valley, just outside Redstone, Colorado. You can stay overnight in one-, two- or three-bedroom cabins, studios or wagons, or buy a day pass if you book ahead. The springs are the main draw either way.

The water is spread across three pools set at different levels on a slope, so each one feels fairly private from the others. The largest sits in front of a rock grotto and is fed by a waterfall about three feet high. Across the three pools the water runs from 93°F to 104°F, giving you a choice between a gentle warm soak and a properly hot one.

Day passes are by reservation only, in four-hour blocks, at $34 per person. Swimwear is required, and glass, smoking and pets are not allowed in the pool area. Children are welcome, with swim diapers for babies, but there's no lifeguard, so anyone under 14 needs an adult with them. The pools close one day a week for cleaning, so check before you visit.

Overnight guests can use the pools around the clock, which suits couples and families planning a weekend away more than a quick stop. There's no restaurant on site; most cabins have full kitchens, and Redstone, about four miles south, has restaurants and a general store.

Amenities

Facilities

  • Towel rental
  • Swimsuit rental
  • Massage studio (by request)
  • Private yoga classes
  • Private events
  • Gift shop
  • Guest lodge with Wi-Fi

Family & kids

  • Children welcome (under 14 with an adult)
  • Swim diapers required for babies

On the property

  • About 1 mile of trail
  • Pond and river fishing (lodging guests)
  • Canoe and paddleboats (lodging guests, summer)
  • Sand volleyball and lawn games
  • Barnyard animals
  • Snowshoes and sleds (lodging guests, winter)
  • Ice skating (mid-winter)
  • Campfire nights (summer)
  • Apple picking and cider (seasonal)

Food & drink

  • Full kitchens in cabins (not wagons)

Parking

  • Parking included with lodging

Lodging

  • 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom cabins
  • Studio cabins
  • Wagons
  • Ranch House
  • Pet-friendly lodging (fee)

Before you go

Best time to visit: Reviewers enjoy it in every season. Snowy winter soaks and early-morning sessions with the sun rising behind the mountains get the most praise. Holiday weekends bring more families, so pick a weekday if you want it quiet.

  • Book well ahead: day-visit slots and cabins fill up, and some regulars say lodging sells out months in advance. Check for cancellations if you're flexible.
  • Bring your own food and water. There's no restaurant on site, and cabin kitchens are the easiest way to eat.
  • Expect no cell service and no Wi-Fi in the cabins (the lodge has it), so download maps and entertainment first.
  • Try the cold plunge and sauna as well as the pools.
  • Wagons are small and basic. If you want more space, comfort or a full kitchen, choose a cabin.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Mountain and valley views from the pools, especially at sunrise
  • Clean, well-kept pools and grounds
  • Friendly, helpful staff
  • Several pools at different temperatures, plus a cold plunge
  • Peaceful, off-the-grid feel with plenty of privacy
  • Cozy cabins and wagons, many of them dog-friendly

Cons

  • Hard to book and often full far in advance
  • Pricey compared with many other Colorado hot springs
  • Pools can feel crowded on busy weekends, mostly with day visitors and groups of children
  • Lodging is rustic: the wagons are small and basic, so choose a cabin if you want more space
  • Remote, with no restaurant and little cell service

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a reservation to soak at Avalanche Ranch?

Yes. Day visits are by reservation only, in four-hour blocks at $34 per person, with full payment at booking. The ranch suggests booking weekend stays at least six months ahead, and reviewers say day slots fill up far in advance too, so book early and check for cancellations.

Can I visit for just the day without staying overnight?

Yes. Day visitors get one four-hour block. Overnight guests can use the pools around the clock, so you get more flexibility if you stay.

Are children allowed in the hot springs?

Yes. Children are welcome, and babies need swim diapers. There is no lifeguard, so anyone under 14 must be with an adult.

Can I bring my dog?

Pets are not allowed in the pool area. Cabins allow up to two pets for a fee, and several reviewers stayed with their dogs.

What should I bring?

A swimsuit is required, and towels and swimsuits can be rented. Glass and smoking are not allowed in the pool area. There is no restaurant on site, so bring food and water.

Is there cell service or Wi-Fi?

There is no cell service, and the cabins don't have Wi-Fi. Guests can use the phone and Wi-Fi in the lodge, which is open around the clock, so download maps and anything you need before you arrive.

Are the pools ever closed?

The pools close one day a week for cleaning. Check with the ranch before you visit, including whether day visitors can use the pools on that day.

Nearby hot springs

Last checked October 25, 2026

Sources: avalancheranch.com