Offering soothing water and beautiful surroundings, natural mineral hot springs are appealing destinations for adventurous travelers looking beyond a traditional spa experience. Discover stunning landscapes and surreal settings throughout the world when you visit these steaming springs!
This scenic spring can be found after taking a roundtrip hike through Utah’s beautiful Cottonwood Canyon. Once there, discover several pools and scenic waterfalls that are perfect to soak in. Travel tip: during the winter, several inches of snow can build up on the trail and you may need a four-wheel drive vehicle to get to the springs.
The Turkish city of Pamukkale has served as a sanctuary and spa for thousands of years. Travertine terraces, shaped from white, limestone deposits, create a snow-like appearance that surrounds the springs’ turquoise water. Be sure to do research which pools to visit ahead of your visit, as the water in Pamukkale can range from 95º F to 212º F.
Located in Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Prismatic Spring achieves a rainbow-like hue from a variety of microbes and bacteria that call the heat home. Although this hot spring is the largest in the United States and the third largest in the world, swimming in the Grand Prismatic Spring is both illegal and dangerous (the temperature is just below boiling level). While you can’t swim in this hot spring, you can certainly admire its beauty.
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Along Crystal River and surrounded by the snowcapped peaks of Colorado’s Mount Sopris, you will find the Penny Hot Springs. These springs are easily accessible for nearly all ages, making it a great adventure the entire family can enjoy. Note: although the springs are naturally fed with warm mineral water, spring snow melt can flood and cool the water.
These mystical springs were discovered in 1880 by prospector Bob Bagby. Offering three hot springs and several seeps, Bagby flows 24 gallons a minute at an impressive 138º F into one of five cedar log tubs. Here, the water gradually cools and visitors are then able to soak in the mineral water. There is no cell coverage in or around the hot spring, so it is best to plan your route to and from Bagby before you leave your hotel room.
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Translated to “Fairyland on Earth,” Huanglong offers travelers a variety of beautiful springs to relax in. The bright turquoise pools, surrounded by dense forests and glaciers, receive their unique appearance from travertine and limestone shoals. If you’re lucky, you may even see one of Huanglong’s native giant pandas or the Suchuan golden snub-nosed monkeys.
Experience the beauty of the chilly Canadian Rockies while resting comfortably in Jasper National Park’s Miette hot springs. The water at this spring is kept toasty at 104º F and offers impeccable views of the surrounding Fiddle River Valley.
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After you relax in these beautiful hot springs, rest east knowing Today’s Best Western is waiting for you. Book your next trip at bestwestern.com to enjoy tech-savvy amenities, multi-functional spaces, stylish new brands and Best Western’s classic hospitality experience.
