A Whole Current guide
106 places to soak in Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado. Each one is checked against its official source, with the water temperature, how to get there, and who can come.
And the hot springs? They cradled me like the pool once did. They whispered, “You deserve comfort, too.”
Drive up, families welcome, and staff on site. A gentle place to start.
Pools in the rocks along rivers and canyons. Free, quiet, and a little effort to reach.
Resorts and retreats with rooms or campsites, for a slower visit.
Arizona springs, from the Verde River to the Lake Mead canyons.
Harbin, in California’s Lake County, is where Watsu began. Amal Lana lived there, and writes about it in her book.
Harbin wasn’t just a place. It was a threshold.
Middletown, California
DetailsIn any natural hot spring, keep your head above the water. Health officials advise it because of a rare amoeba that can enter through the nose.
It said: Healing can be soft.
Amal Lana, Surrender to Self
No. In natural hot springs, keep your head above the water. The CDC advises this because of a rare amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, that can enter through the nose. Resort pools with treated water have their own rules, so ask the staff.
Some welcome all ages and some are adults only. Each listing here says what the spring allows. Very hot water is not good for young children, so keep their soaks short and their heads above water.
Water to drink, a towel, sandals for hot rocks, and a swimsuit unless the spring says otherwise. For natural springs, bring a flashlight, sun protection and a bag to carry out your trash.
Most public health guidance puts the safe upper limit for soaking at 104°F. Get out sooner if you feel dizzy, and skip hot springs if you are pregnant unless your doctor says it is fine.
Warm-water sessions at your own pool, or your community’s, in and around Flagstaff, by request. And there are small water practices you can do at home, in a bath.