Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa
- From $45
- 85–106°F
- 2 hr 54 min from Denver
- Walk-in OK
A rustic inn west of Buena Vista with soaking tubs fed by artesian hot springs, a river cold plunge and a dry sauna. Day soaks are walk-in friendly and swimsuits are required. Lodge rooms and cabins include soaking access.
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✓ Verified November 2026
- Price
- From $45
- Water
- 85–106°F
- Nearest town
- Buena Vista
- From Denver
- 2 hr 54 min
- Reservations
- Walk-in OK
Plan your visit
Hours & season
| Hours |
|
|---|---|
| Season |
|
Tickets & booking
| Price |
|
|---|---|
| Access | Day pass, walk-ins welcome |
| Booking |
|
Rules
| Swimwear | Swimsuits required |
|---|
On site
| Lodging | Yes |
|---|
Not stated by the venue: ages, dogs.
Water temperature
This venue doesn't publish pool temperatures.
Mineral profile
Total dissolved minerals
370 mg/L
Lightly mineralized · Sodium–sulfate (sodium sulfate water)
- pH
- 8.5
- Temp at source
- 137°F
- Lithium
- 0.16 mg/L
- Fluoride
- 14 mg/L
- Boron
- 0.09 mg/L
- Iron
- 0.02 mg/L
Lab analysis of the source water at “Cottonwood Hot Spring” (0.2 mi from Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa), sampled 1975–1976 by the USGS and partners (data). Pool water may be cooled, mixed or treated, and spring chemistry is generally stable over decades. We report measurements only; we don't make health claims.
The pools
| Pool | Temp |
|---|---|
| HeadAverage temperature. | 104°F |
| ElbowAverage temperature. | 106°F |
| BellyAverage temperature. | 85°F |
| WatsuAverage temperature. | 90°F |
| Cold PlungecoldAverage temperature. A river plunge and dry sauna are also included. | 80°F |
As published by the venue. Temperatures shift with the seasons and the weather.
Facilities
- Showers: yes
- Towels included: no
- Food on site: no
- Drinks / bar: no
- Massage: yes
- Sauna: yes
| Bring your own alcohol | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Glass containers | Not allowed |
| Smoking | Not allowed |
| Photos | Not allowed |
| Good to know |
|
What's here
- artesian hot spring soaking tubs
- river cold plunge
- dry sauna
- lodge and cabins
- spa treatments
Getting there
- From Denver2 hr 54 min126 mi
- From Salida46 min30 mi
- From Gunnison (GUC)2 hr 16 min92 mi
Typical driving time without traffic or snow.
| Elevation | 8,682 ft |
|---|---|
| Road | At 18999 County Road 306, west of Buena Vista |
Things to do near Buena Vista
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
State-managed river corridor for rafting, fishing and camping.
Browns Canyon National Monument
Arkansas River canyon known for rafting and hiking; no entry fee.
Trailheads
- Avalanche Trailhead3 mi
- Denny Creek Trailhead5.8 mi
- Skatepark Trailhead6 mi
- River Park Trailhead6.1 mi
Straight-line distances. Campground and trailhead data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Nearby springs
Charlotte Hot Springs & Botanical Gardens
A small family-run hot springs west of Buena Vista that opened to the public in 2024 after decades of planning by the Merrifield family. It has three outdoor pools set among botanical gardens and geothermally heated greenhouses. Current prices and booking rules were not posted online, so call ahead.
Antero Hot Springs Cabins
Three rental cabins on Chalk Creek, each paired with its own hand-built private soaking pool fed by an on-site hot spring. There are no day passes; soaking comes with an overnight stay. The cabins sit between Mount Antero and Mount Princeton, about 15 minutes from Buena Vista.
Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort
A large resort below the Chalk Cliffs between Buena Vista and Salida, with a historic bath house, terraced upper pools, an infinity pool and natural soaking spots along Chalk Creek. Day passes are walk-in, and summer adds twin water slides. An adults-only spa pool area is reserved for lodging guests and spa clients.
Charlotte Hot Springs & Botanical Gardens: 0 mi · Antero Hot Springs Cabins: 6 mi · Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort: 6 mi
Sources (9)
· checked November 2026
Prices, hours and rules are checked against the official site and land-agency pages. Spot something out of date? Let us know.