Indian Hot Springs
Resort · Idaho Springs
Indian Hot Springs is a historic soaking resort in the town of Idaho Springs, about 30 minutes from Denver and just off I-70. The Ute and Arapaho treated the springs as a place of healing long before the first baths were built in the 1860s, and the hotel rooms date to 1905.
The centerpiece is an indoor mineral pool under a glass dome, ringed with banana trees, ferns and other tropical plants. Its water runs about 96–102°F. Beyond the pool there are gender-specific geothermal caves (108–113°F), outdoor tubs, and private baths you can book for a couple or a small group. Club Mud lets you coat yourself in a mineral clay mix and rinse off in the showers, and a spa offers massage and facials.
Day passes are open to everyone, not just overnight guests. The pool costs $30 Monday to Thursday and $35 on Friday and the weekend, when it runs in timed sessions that need a reservation. Children 2 and under are free. The caves are adults only and a quiet zone with no phones or cameras, with swimwear optional on weekdays and required on weekends. Lockers, padlocks and towels are available on site, and glass, food and coolers are not allowed in the pool area.
You can stay on site in the old hotel, an inn, a lodge, a cabin or a boondock-style RV spot. Pets are not allowed.
The pools
- Mineral water swimming pool · Indoor pool under a glass dome with tropical plants. Children must be with an adult (no lifeguard).96–102°F
- Men's & women's caves · Gender-specific walk-in tubs in a quiet zone. Ages 18 and up, ID required.108–113°F
- Outdoor tubs · Private, fenced tubs on a redwood deck, booked by the hour106–113°F
- Classic private baths · Indoor private baths for up to 2 guests, each with a shower and bench105–110°F
Amenities
Facilities
- Lockers (padlocks $4)
- Towel rental
- Gift shop
- Club Mud
- Spa (massage and facials)
Family & kids
- Free for children 2 and under
- Pool and private baths open to all ages
Food & drink
- Dining hall
- Snack area by the pool
Lodging
- Historic resort rooms (built 1905)
- The Inn
- The Lodge
- Cabins
- Boondock RV spots (no hookups)
Parking
- On-site parking
- RV and van parking
Before you go
Best time to visit: The pool is under a glass dome and the site says it is open all year, so reviewers visit in every season, and a few like it best on cold or rainy days. Weekends, holidays and summer are when reviewers report crowding and sold-out sessions, and the old hotel has no air conditioning.
- Book ahead for weekends and holidays. Weekend pool sessions need a reservation, the caves always do, and several reviewers who turned up without one found the pool or caves sold out.
- Pick a weekday if you can. It costs less, needs no reservation for the pool, and avoids the weekend sell-outs reviewers describe.
- Try the caves as well as the pool. They are the most-praised part for many reviewers, but they are a separate, higher ticket and run in timed sessions.
- Bring a swimsuit, sandals and a water bottle. Glass, food and coolers are not allowed, and towels and padlocks can be rented on site.
- In summer, bring a fan or choose a cooler time to stay: the hotel has no air conditioning, and several reviewers found their room hot.
- Treat the caves as a quiet zone. Phones and cameras are not allowed, and swimwear is required on weekends.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Unusual indoor pool under a glass dome with real tropical plants
- Geothermal caves with very hot water for a deep soak
- Private tubs and baths for couples or small groups
- Easy to reach: just off I-70, about 30 minutes from Denver
- Historic setting with plenty of character
- Friendly, helpful staff praised by many reviewers
- Open all year, with lodging on site
Cons
- Pricey for what it is, and busy dates cost more
- Weekend and holiday sessions can sell out, so walk-ups are not guaranteed
- Front-desk service is inconsistent: many praise the staff, but several reviewers found it rude or unhelpful
- Rooms are old and basic, and with no air conditioning they can be hot in summer
- Several reviewers say the pool water smells strongly of chlorine
- Some reviewers find it run down compared with other Colorado hot springs
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to stay at the resort to use the hot springs?
No. The pool facility is open to everyone, guests or not.
Do I need a reservation?
Not for the pool Monday to Friday. On weekends the pool runs in four time slots, and the caves need a reservation. Private tubs and baths can be booked up to 60 days ahead online, and several reviewers who arrived on busy days without a booking found the pool or caves sold out.
Can I bring my kids?
Yes. The mineral pool and private baths are open to all ages, and children 2 and under are free. There is no lifeguard, so children must be with an adult at all times. The caves are for ages 18 and up, and Club Mud has an age limit too.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed on the property, and only ADA-recognized service animals are permitted. Pets also may not be left in vehicles.
What should I bring, and what is not allowed?
Bring a swimsuit, sandals and a water bottle. You can bring your own towel or rent one for $5, and padlocks are $4. Glass bottles, food and coolers are not allowed. Leave jewelry at home, since the minerals can damage some metals.
Does the water smell like a normal pool?
The site says the mineral water smells different from a pool and that a minimal amount of chlorine is used for safety. Several reviewers say the main pool smelled strongly of chlorine, so expect some smell either way.
Is there air conditioning in the rooms?
No. The resort has no air conditioning, and fans are available to borrow. Reviewers say rooms can be hot in summer, so bring your own fan if you are staying then.
Nearby hot springs
- Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa · about 39 miles away
- Radium Hot Spring · about 57 miles away
- Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa · about 74 miles away
Last checked October 26, 2026
Sources: indianhotsprings.com