Dakota Hot Springs
- From $21
- 95–108°F
- 2 hr 8 min from Denver
- Reservations required
A naturally flowing, unchlorinated geothermal pool west of Penrose that is swimsuit-optional most days and describes itself as family-friendly. Visits are booked online in two 5-hour sessions, and it is closed Mondays for cleaning. Tent sites and camper rentals are available to soakers.
- Price
- From $21
- Water
- 95–108°F
- Nearest town
- Penrose
- From Denver
- 2 hr 8 min
- Reservations
- Required
Plan your visit
Hours & season
| Hours |
|
|---|---|
| Season |
|
Tickets & booking
| Price |
|
|---|---|
| Access | Reservation required |
| Booking |
|
| Time limit | 5 hours per visit |
Rules
| Swimwear | Clothing optional |
|---|---|
| Ages |
|
| Dogs | No |
On site
| Pools | 1 |
|---|---|
| Camping nearby | Yes |
Water temperature
This venue doesn't publish pool temperatures.
Mineral profile
Total dissolved minerals
1,520 mg/L
Highly mineralized · Sodium–sulfate (sodium sulfate water)
- pH
- 6.5
- Temp at source
- 106°F
- Fluoride
- 1.4 mg/L
- Iron
- 0.02 mg/L
Lab analysis of the source water at a USGS sampling site, sampled 1971 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 |
|---|---|
| Main poolFree-form concrete pool about 70 ft across, 3-5 ft deep | 95–98°F |
| Wellhead tub6 ft circular tub at the wellhead | 108°F |
As published by the venue. Temperatures shift with the seasons and the weather.
Facilities
- No chlorine
- Continuously replaced by artesian flow
- Pool drained Sunday night and cleaned Monday
- Towel rental: yes
- Food on site: yes
| Bring your own alcohol | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Glass containers | Not allowed |
| Photos | Not allowed |
| Good to know |
|
What's here
- unchlorinated geothermal pool
- suits-optional most days
- tent/vehicle camping and camper rentals (with pool reservation)
- pets allowed in campground only
Getting there
- From Denver2 hr 8 min104 mi
- From Pueblo38 min30 mi
- From Colorado Springs (COS)1 hr 4 min42 mi
Typical driving time without traffic or snow.
| Elevation | 5,232 ft |
|---|---|
| Road |
|
Things to do near Penrose
Royal Gorge Bridge & Park
Suspension bridge 955 ft above the Arkansas River, with a gondola and visitor center west of Cañon City
Royal Gorge Route Railroad
Scenic train through the Royal Gorge from the Santa Fe Depot in Cañon City
Campgrounds
Trailheads
- Mackenzie Avenue Trailhead6.6 mi
- Hogbacks Trailhead10.5 mi
- Greenhorn Trailhead10.5 mi
- Eagle Wing Trailhead10.7 mi
Straight-line distances. Campground and trailhead data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Nearby springs
Desert Reef Hot Springs
An adults-only, suits-optional geothermal soaking spot in the high desert near Florence, with overnight stays in vintage Airstreams, tiny homes or van campsites. Swimsuits are required on Friday daytimes, and some hours are reserved for members. It was temporarily closed for day soaks at time of check (Oct 19-Nov 10, 2026).
Valley View Hot Springs
Natural ponds and pools on a hillside above the San Luis Valley, run as a nonprofit by the Orient Land Trust. The whole property is clothing-optional and family-friendly, and daily visitor numbers are capped, so reservations by phone are needed. Cabins and campsites are available, and leashed pets are allowed on camping and day-pass reservations for a fee.
Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa
A spa retreat near Moffat in the San Luis Valley, built on the historic Mineral Hot Springs site, with three main pools held at 98, 104 and 108°F plus jacuzzis and a cold plunge. Lodging ranges from hotel rooms to yurts, tipis and campsites. Leashed dogs are welcome on the grounds but not in the pool area.
Desert Reef Hot Springs: 3 mi · Valley View Hot Springs: 44 mi · Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa: 50 mi
Sources (6)
· 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.