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Wild spring

Penny Hot Springs

Free
3 hr 46 min from Denver
Roadside

Rock-ringed pools on the west bank of the Crystal River just off Highway 133 north of Redstone, partly owned and managed by Pitkin County Open Space. Access is free and year-round from a small roadside pullout. River levels decide conditions, and the pools are often under cold water during spring runoff.

Visit official website ↗Directions ↗

✓ Verified November 2026

Price: Free
Nearest town: Redstone
From Denver: 3 hr 46 min
Hike (one way): Roadside

Plan your visit

Hours & season

Season	Open year-round County lists it open year-round Spring snowmelt runoff can flood the riverside pools

Tickets & booking

Price	Free Roadside pullout parking on Hwy 133 is limited
Access	Free public access

On site

Lodging	No
Land manager	County (Pitkin County open space + CDOT right-of-way)

Not stated by the land manager: swimwear, ages, dogs.

Soak responsibly

Pack out everything, including food scraps and toilet paper. Use WAG bags where required.
No soap, shampoo or sunscreen in the pools; rinse away from the water.
Check permits and closures with county (Pitkin County open space + CDOT right-of-way) before you go.
Keep groups small and give others space. Respect posted dog and camping rules.

Water temperature

60°Ftemps not published125°F

This venue doesn't publish pool temperatures.

Mineral profile

Total dissolved minerals

2,785 mg/L

Highly mineralized · Calcium–sulfate (gypsum-type water)

Tap waterMineral waterSeawater

Sodium390 mg/L

Calcium400 mg/L

Magnesium51 mg/L

Potassium36 mg/L

Chloride240 mg/L

Sulfate1,240 mg/L

Silica96 mg/L

pH: 6.3
Temp at source: 115°F
Lithium: 0.97 mg/L
Fluoride: 3.4 mg/L
Boron: 0.69 mg/L
Iron: 1.3 mg/L

Lab analysis of the source water at “Penny Hot Springs” (0.1 mi from Penny Hot Springs), sampled 1975–1978 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.

What's here

riverside pools on the Crystal River
roadside access from Hwy 133
open year-round
pools often submerged by spring runoff
pack out trash

Getting there

From Denver3 hr 46 min183 mi
From Glenwood Springs41 min27 mi
From Aspen (ASE)57 min38 mi

Typical driving time without traffic or snow.

Elevation	6,943 ft
Road	Paved road Pullout on the east side of CO 133 just north of mile marker 55, about 3.2 miles north of Redstone Busy highway
Trail	About 20 feet down a steep, rocky bank from the parking pullout to the river Use the single designated route
Parking	Roadside pullout on CDOT right-of-way with room for about 20 cars Fills on weekends and early evenings
Cell service	None

Things to do near Redstone

attraction

Redstone Castle and Coke Ovens

Historic Osgood mansion and restored beehive coke ovens at Redstone, about 3 miles south

park

Filoha Meadows Nature Preserve

County preserve across the river; open July 1-Sept 30 only, no dogs or bikes, closed dusk to dawn

town

Carbondale

Crystal River Valley town to the north with shops, art walks and dining

Campgrounds

Trailheads

Thomas Lakes Trailhead7.5 mi
Red Hill13.1 mi

Straight-line distances. Campground and trailhead data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Nearby springs

Resort & lodging

Avalanche Ranch Cabins & Hot Springs

Redstone, CO

A cabin ranch in the Crystal River Valley south of Carbondale with three tiered natural pools, the largest fed by a small waterfall in front of a rock grotto. Day visitors book 4-hour slots in advance, while cabin and wagon guests have round-the-clock access. Pools are drained and cleaned every Wednesday.

60°F88–105°F125°F

From $34View

Wild spring

Conundrum Hot Springs

Aspen, CO · 8.5 mi hike

High-elevation backcountry pools in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, about 8.5 miles one way from the Conundrum Creek trailhead near Aspen. Camping anywhere in the zone requires an advance Recreation.gov permit and use of your reserved site, and dogs are not allowed. Bear canisters are mandatory overnight, and the Forest Service asks visitors to pack out human waste.

Minerals1,910 mg/LCalcium–sulfate

FreeView

Resort & lodging

Glenwood Hot Springs Resort

Glenwood Springs, CO

A large downtown resort built around the Grand Pool, which stretches more than two city blocks, plus a 104°F therapy pool. The newer Yampah Mineral Baths add three hot pools between roughly 95 and 104°F and two cold-contrast baths, and that area turns adults-only after 5 pm. Day passes are sold without reservations, and the resort runs two hotels on site.

60°F90–104°F125°F

Minerals20,250 mg/LSodium–chloride

From $42View

Avalanche Ranch Cabins & Hot Springs: 2 mi · Conundrum Hot Springs: 23 mi · Glenwood Hot Springs Resort: 23 mi

Sources (7)

· 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.