Overview
Cottonwood is famous for a detail that sounds odd until you soak it: their pools are organized by typical temperature comfort, with posted averages like “head,” “elbow,” “belly,” plus a Watsu pool and a cold plunge. Average temperatures listed by the facility include about 104°F in the warmest pool, 106°F in another hot pool, around 90°F for Watsu, and a colder plunge around 80°F. It’s a practical system because you can build a circuit without guessing.
The setting is intimate, tucked up a short drive outside Buena Vista. You’re not here for big resort energy. You’re here to soak, breathe, and maybe talk quietly. The facility also states that alcohol is not permitted on the premises, and it reinforces a calm environment around the tubs. If you want loud group energy, pick a different hot spring. If you want quiet, this is your spot.
Cottonwood’s posted pool-area rules include swimsuits worn at all times, plus additional guidance around quiet enjoyment and respectful soaking behavior.
Location & Access
Where it is
Cottonwood Hot Springs is outside Buena Vista in a small canyon (18999 County Road 306). It’s close to town, but the approach feels more tucked away as you head toward Cottonwood Pass country.
By car
This is an easy drive on maintained roads, not a backcountry crawl. Winter still matters. If you’re visiting during snow season, check road conditions and give yourself extra time, especially if you’re arriving after sunset when temperatures drop quickly in the canyon.
What arrival feels like
You’ll park, check in, and then the property flows into soaking areas that are close together. It’s the kind of place where you can settle into a routine and stop thinking about logistics. Bring a warm layer for transitions, and keep your footwear on, because wet walkways in cold air are where most people slip up.
Timing tip
If you want the quietest soak, choose weekday mornings or early afternoons. Evening soaks can still be calm, but popular nights compress everyone into the same small footprint.
Suitability & Accessibility
Safety & Etiquette
Heat plus quiet rules
Cottonwood’s warmest pools can sit around the low-to-mid 100s Fahrenheit, which is enough to overheat you if you treat it like a long sit. Do shorter rounds, cool down, and drink water. If you’re pregnant or have heart or blood-pressure concerns, follow medical advice before soaking.
No alcohol, no glass, no drama
The facility states alcohol is not permitted on the premises, and its tub-area guidance also prohibits alcohol, food, smoking, dogs, and glass in soaking areas. That rule set creates a calmer experience, but it also means you should plan your evening accordingly. Eat beforehand, bring water (in appropriate containers), and keep the soaking space clean.
Slip hazards
Walkways can become slippery, and the facility notes using caution when entering the tubs and entering at stairways. Keep footwear on between pools, use railings, and don’t carry drinks in glass. Winter adds ice risk in shaded spots.
Etiquette (why the vibe stays good)
Keep voices down and respect the quiet environment. If a pool is full, rotate rather than crowd. Don’t reserve seats with towels. Rinse before soaking if possible, and keep lotions and oils out of the water. People come here for calm. If your group wants loud storytelling, save it for dinner in town.
Kids and timing
If you’re visiting with children, treat it as a daytime or early-evening soak. The rules note that children should be with an adult and leave after sundown, which keeps late-night soaking more adult and quiet.