Spa camping

By the grace of geology, the earth has provided its inhabitants with natural hot springs in scattered locations around the world. Naturally, the most prolific hot spots are near geothermal zones, and most in the United States are in the West. A number of hot springs occur east of the Mississippi, but they are, for the most part, highly developed resorts far from the natural water source and often rather expensive – not exactly what we would call “camper friendly.” The springs we’ve included are places where you can blend your camping activities with a relaxing soak!

Mystic Hot Springs, Utah
At Mystic the water comes out of the ground at a steaming 168 degrees F. It cools as it travels down a channel and runs into eight personal soaking tubs and two pools. As the hot mineral water purifies your body, the view overlooking the Sevier Valley purifies your mind.
Mystic Hot Springs: 435/527-3286; /mystichotsprings.com/.

Agua Caliente Hot Springs, California
Located near the south end of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in southern California, this is an ideal destination for winter recreation. At Agua Caliente, there are two hot spring pools. One is a large outdoor pool that is kept at a natural 90 degrees F. The other pool (102 degrees F) is protected inside a glass-walled building and features whirlpool jets. If it’s solitude you’re looking for, be forewarned that from September to May this is one of San Diego County’s most popular parks. The Anza-Borrego desert is prime four-wheeling country, with numerous canyons for exploration afoot, on ATV, dirt bikes, or off-road SUVs You’ll find ancient pictographs 1.5 miles off the Great Overland Stagecoach Route of 1849. In the springtime, desert wildflowers put on a show.
Agua Caliente Hot Springs: 858/565-3600; /co.san-diego.ca.us/parks/camping/agua_caliente.html/.

Summer Lake Hot Springs, Oregon
In the Oregon high desert, at the base of the Winter Ridge Mountains, lies Summer Lake Hot Springs. Fields of waving grass stretch before you, undulating as they meet the sky at the horizon. This isolated location is the perfect place to toss your cares into the wind and soak in the springs’ rejuvenating waters. Four hot springs are on the Summer Lake property, and the spring filling the main soaking area pumps 25 gallons a minute of 113-degree-F water into the 15×30-foot pool. The pool and bathhouse were constructed in 1927, and are still used today. In the early days of the springhouse, town residents used the pool for bathing, shaving, doing laundry and soaking aching joints. Prior to the discovery of the springs by white settlers in 1843, Native Americans recognized the healing qualities of the springs – they called them Medicine Springs.
Summer Lake Hot Springs: 541/943-3931; /summerlakehotsprings.com/.

Miracle Hot Springs, Idaho
Agriculture has made its mark on the edge of the vast southern Idaho desert. But long before settlers came to this area, hot mineral springs bubbled to the surface. Today, one of those has been developed into Miracle Hot Springs, a small, rustic resort near the mouth of Salmon Falls Creek. There are 19 private soaking pools and two outdoor swimming pools. All private pools are drained, cleaned and refilled with fresh water between every use. The temperature of the private pools is user adjustable. The larger outdoor pool is kept warm. The other outdoor pool is partially covered and has a temperature of about 105 degrees.
Miracle Hot Springs: 208/543-6002; /mhsprings.com/.

Hot Springs Resort and Spa, North Carolina
Deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains, along the tranquil banks of Spring Creek and the French Broad River, you’ll find the Hot Springs Resort and Spa. A 100-acre resort with 12 modern whirlpool-style hot tubs, Hot Springs is the only natural geothermal spring in North Carolina. The tubs are supplied with a continuous flow of 104-degree natural mineral water.
Springs Resort & Spa: 828/622-7676; /nchotsprings.com/.

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