Top 10 Best Hot Springs in Arizona (2023)

Typically, you wouldn’t take into account taking a dip in a sizzling spring as one thing you’d need to do in the scorching desert. In Arizona, it’s solely sizzling (ridiculously sizzling) about 4 months of the 12 months; the remainder of the 12 months is nice sufficient to take pleasure in a sizzling springs journey.

Since virtually all the new springs are outdoors the Phoenix Valley space, temperatures could also be cooler and make for a extra enjoyable expertise.

Below is a listing of one of the best sizzling springs which might be a must-visit all through the state of Arizona, so seize your swimsuit (and presumably your mountaineering footwear) and luxuriate in a number of the pure magnificence that the desert state of Arizona has to supply.

Let’s get began!

Table of Contents

Best Hot Springs in Arizona

Here is the map of one of the best sizzling springs in Arizona:

1. Castle Hot Springs

Nestled in the guts of the Bradshaw Mountains northwest of Scottsdale, Castle Hot Springs is a historic resort and spa constructed on the location of a pure underground properly of sizzling water.

Indigenous folks used to journey to those sizzling springs for a whole bunch of years, and in the late 1800s, the property was changed into Arizona’s first wellness retreat.

Today, the new springs feed into three soaking swimming pools and could be funneled into non-public tubs in the suites as properly.

The swimming pools are surrounded by desert magnificence, rock formations, and towering palm timber. The water is stuffed with minerals which might be good on your pores and skin and total well-being, excellent for a heat restoration soak after a protracted hike or to chill out earlier than mattress.

You must be a visitor at Castle Hot Springs Resort to benefit from the swimming pools, however it’s properly price a keep for a weekend (or extra!). On-site eating, a full-service spa, and even a 3-acre farm the place all of the produce is grown for the Harvest Restaurant.

• Type: Resort
• Fees: $1750 per night time, all-inclusive
• Address: 5050 N Castle Hot Springs Rd, Morristown, AZ 85342
• Website

2. Essence of Tranquility

This tiny locale close to the small city of Safford is a spa, therapeutic massage parlor, and sizzling spring all in one.

It is not at all a elaborate resort or upscale retreat, however there are casitas (small cottages), campsites, and a day-use space accessible relying in your wants and the way lengthy you want to keep. There is a common-use space, shared bogs, and a kitchen space for all to make use of.

You should make reservations in advance for lodging, massages, and day use of the new spring swimming pools.

The most handy a part of Essence of Tranquility is the 5 non-public sizzling spring-fed swimming pools which might be enclosed in small buildings for final privateness. There can be a public tub sufficiently big to suit as much as 10 folks at a time, in addition to sitting areas to chill out and luxuriate in some Arizona sunshine.

The water temperature ranges from 98-105 levels Fahrenheit, so there are completely different choices for various warmth tolerances.

Many folks select to simply come for the day, however staying in the casitas or campgrounds lets you benefit from the sizzling springs for a number of days in order for you. Book a therapeutic massage with the on-site masseuse for an much more enjoyable expertise at Essence of Tranquility!

• Type: Campground/Casitas
• Fees: To use tubs- $15 per particular person for 1 hour; $35 per particular person for day use; Casitas vary from $50-70 an evening; campgrounds are $20 per particular person per night time.
• Facilities: Common sitting space, shared bogs, shared kitchen amenities
• Address: 6074 S Lebanon Loop Rd, Safford, AZ 85546
• Website

3. Hot Well Dunes Hot Springs

The Hot Well Dunes are positioned on BLM land (Bureau of Land Management) in southeastern Arizona in what was an historic lakebed. With 2,000 acres of sand dunes, this can be a well-liked play space for dirtbike and ATV riders.

Located in the center of those sand dunes are Hot Well Dunes Hot Springs; two cemented tubs are gated to forestall wildlife from getting into and are accessed by a tough filth highway.

Since most guests to this space are right here on ATVs and off-road autos, getting right here isn’t an excessive amount of of a difficulty. If highway circumstances are proper (attempt to keep away from coming through the wet seasons) then you possibly can drive proper as much as the new spring tubs.

This hidden gem is the proper place to chill out after a protracted day of driving in the desert, and there are even RV/tent tenting websites close by, so make an entire journey out of it!

• Type: Campground, cement tubs
• Fees: $3 per automobile
• Facilities: Outhouse-type bogs on website
• Address: BLM Safford Field Office 711 14th Avenue Safford, AZ 85546-3321

4. Arizona Hot Springs

This is by far one of many extra well-liked sizzling springs in all of Arizona and for good purpose. There is a little bit of mountaineering concerned to get to Arizona Hot Springs, however you get to hike by means of a number of the most fascinating slot canyons and desert nation.

The path will get highly regarded in the summer time months, so the state has closed the path from May 15-September 30 for security.

You can method the new springs from two instructions – the Arizona Hot Springs Trail or the White Rock Canyon path. You can even mix these two trails right into a loop.

Overnight tenting can be allowed close to the springs, however since it’s positioned in a slot canyon it’s all the time sensible to verify the climate beforehand; flash floods created these slot canyons and so they nonetheless occur with frequency!

There are a complete of 4 swimming pools, separated by sandbags or rock boundaries. The first pool is the most popular, then the following is a bit cooler, and so forth. This is sweet in that it permits you to discover the proper temperature on your tolerance!

Expect to spend an entire day experiencing the Arizona Hot Springs; finishing the hike and soaking in the swimming pools takes about 7 hours or extra.

(*10*)

There is a really uncommon amoeba referred to as Naegleria fowleri which could be lethal, though it’s protected to swim and chill out in Arizona sizzling springs.

To benefit from the springs, simply take some easy precautions: the amoeba enters by means of the nostril (it received’t hurt you if swallowed) so hold your head above water to keep away from an infection.

• Type: Wilderness space
• Fees: None
• Facilities: None
• Directions

5. El Dorado Hot Springs

Outside western Phoenix lies the small group of Tonopah, and the identify itself means “hot water under the bush” in the native Native American dialect. El Dorado Hot Springs is likely one of the focal factors of Tonopah, and there are a number of swimming pools to select from on your go to.

There are non-public and public soaking choices; the 2 non-public swimming pools are for teams of 4-6 and embody a hearth pit, lounging space, a chilly tub, bathe, and nice views of the close by mountains. The public pool, Desert Pete, is “clothing optional” so be ready for that! El Dorado Hot Springs is a country location however has bogs, RV and tent tenting, and three rooms for hire in a small lodge.

If you’re searching for a sizzling spring near Phoenix with minimal crowds, select El Dorado Hot Springs! Located lower than an hour outdoors Phoenix, you might simply make a day journey out of it. The water is completely clear and has no disagreeable sulfur odor such as you would possibly discover in different sizzling springs.

• Type: Rustic, privately owned swimming pools/lodging
• Fees: $10 per particular person, per hour
• Facilities: Bathrooms, showers, outside lounging
• Address: 41225 Indian School Rd, Tonopah, AZ 85354

6. Kaiser Hot Springs

This small pool is sort of primitive and requires a hike to entry, however Kaiser Hot Springs is definitely worth the go to in case you like going off the crushed path.

The water seeps out of the bottom/rocks at round 12 gallons per minute, with a snug year-round temperature of 99 levels.

The pool itself is walled in by rocks and boulders, with gravel on the underside. It is beneficial to put on sandals of some form in Kaiser Hot Spring to forestall scratches.

While you soak, you get to take pleasure in views of the small canyon/wash that the spring is positioned in, and luxuriate in a number of the seclusion of the realm as properly.

Kaiser Hot Springs is positioned on public land and is free to all guests. The hike takes lower than an hour or so to finish, is pretty straightforward strolling in the underside of the wash, and also you get the reward of the inviting heat water on the finish!

The pool is simply sufficiently big for 3 folks at a time, so be courteous and take turns if there are folks there while you arrive.

• Type: Primitive, rock partitions
• Fees: None
• Facilities: None
• Directions: Just 11 miles south of Wikieup on Highway 93; the parking zone is positioned simply off the freeway.

7. Verde River Hot Springs

(Note: The Verde River Hot Springs are closed for the foreseeable future because of wildfire harm to surrounding areas. I included it in this listing so what to anticipate when it opens up once more!)

If you prefer to work arduous on your sizzling springs expertise, together with driving a tough filth highway, fording a river, and mountaineering, look no additional than the adventurous Verde River Hot Springs! Located close to the Fossil Springs Wilderness Area, these two concrete swimming pools are stuffed by a pure sizzling spring with water popping out of the bottom at about 102 levels.

Getting right here is not any joke- 6 miles of very tough highway (excessive clearance autos required) adopted by a hike and crossing the big Verde River; don’t try in excessive water. When I visited Verde Hot Springs with pals a few years in the past, we ended up simply floating the river again to our vehicles as a substitute of mountaineering, and it was a lot enjoyable!

Enjoy the “art gallery” pool, which is enclosed with concrete partitions (however no roof) that’s painted with all types of colourful paintings and graffiti. The outside pool is a bit deeper with a concrete wall as properly, and it has a pipe that permits the water to empty naturally into the river beneath. The views from the outside pool are attractive and enjoyable.

• Type: Outdoor, concrete partitions and gravel backside
• Fees: None
• Facilities: None
• Directions

8. Tuakay Hot Springs

Located close to Roosevelt Lake, on the northern financial institution of the Salt River simply earlier than the Theodore Roosevelt Dam, lies an elusive sizzling spring referred to as Tuakay Hot Springs. Not everybody who comes out to benefit from the sizzling water finally ends up discovering the spring, because the path and indicators appear to be unattended and ill-maintained through the years. It does exist on maps, nonetheless, and savvy locals would possibly be capable of inform you the place to search out these therapeutic waters. If you’re expert in pathfinding and wayfinding, you simply would possibly be capable of discover Tuakay (which implies “salt” in the Apache language).

• Type: Primitive swimming pools
• Fees: None
• Facilities: None
• Directions: Good luck! Google wasn’t a lot assist in discovering precise instructions to those sizzling springs.

9. Gillard Hot Springs

Gillard Hot Springs is likely one of the only a few sizzling springs in Arizona that you just can not swim in, merely since you would expertise severe burns! The water comes out of the bottom at an astounding 180 levels Fahrenheit! The water seeps out at a price of about 400-500 gallons per minute into the adjoining Gila River.

The solely manner you’d be capable of benefit from the water of this sizzling spring is by taking a dunk in the water downriver from the Gillard Hot Springs outlet, and even then it could solely be comfy at a better water stream. Don’t be tempted to dip immediately into the harmful water on the location of the spring, as it’s going to scald your pores and skin (and since you might be very removed from the closest hospital, not price it!).

The attract of Gillard Hot Springs is just with the ability to see the most popular sizzling spring in Arizona (much like how folks flock to see the boiling waters in Yellowstone National Park). So though you received’t be swimming right here (besides in the Gila River at larger water ranges), you’ll nonetheless be capable of brag that you just discovered the most popular water in Arizona.

• Type: Undeveloped wild sizzling spring
• Fees: None
• Facilities: None
• Directions

10. Kachina Mineral Springs Spa

Built on the location of a pure mineral sizzling spring, Kachina Mineral Springs Spa is a soothing however low-key place to remain for some sizzling spring soaking, therapeutic massage, and different spa remedies. Located in the small city of Safford, this spa has a plethora of spa packages you can buy to enhance your well being and well-being.

Mineral sizzling springs have been in use for hundreds of years as locations of therapeutic, and Kachina is not any completely different. The amenities are clear and peaceable, and the workers is attentive {and professional}. Book a {couples} therapeutic massage book-ended by lengthy soaks in the mineral sizzling tubs, and really feel your whole worries wash away!

• Type: Spa
• Fees: Varies per bundle
• Facilities: Bathrooms, massages
• Website

Conclusion

Soaking in a pure sizzling spring is likely one of the favourite previous occasions for vacationers, hikers, and people searching for some rest in nature.

Most of those sizzling springs have been maintained and constructed into swimming pools through the years, however that doesn’t imply they lose their pure allure and naturally, their heat.

Hot spring hopping in Arizona will not be the preferred exercise for the desert-dwelling inhabitants, however is certain one of the crucial rejuvenating!

Hot springs are often fed by mineral-rich and crystal-clear waters, that means you get some therapeutic properties together with the chance to decompress from all of life’s stresses. Some of the new springs on this listing require a hike to get to the swimming pools, however that simply makes it extra of a reward!

Whichever sizzling spring in Arizona you resolve to take pleasure in, all the time bear in mind to be courteous, depart no hint, and luxuriate in!

For extra water adventures in Arizona take a look at my following guides:

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