Quick FactsOverview
About Durango Hot Springs
Durango Hot Springs, Colorado is a paid mineral hot spring resort at 6475 County Road 203, 8 miles north of downtown Durango in the Animas Valley, formerly known as Trimble Hot Springs. The resort has over 40 water features including 32 outdoor mineral pools, a 25-meter swimming pool, five private cedar ofuro soaking tubs, and two cold plunges. The pools are divided into a family section with 19 pools and an adults-only section with 13 pools. Pool temperatures range from 99 to 112 degrees Fahrenheit across the different soaking areas.
The mineral water contains 32 naturally occurring minerals and has no sulfuric odor. The resort uses a flow-through system where water is never recirculated. It is also the first hot spring in the world to infuse its mineral water with medical-grade nanobubbles of oxygen, which the property states aids purity without adding foreign substances.
The site has been used for thermal bathing since around A.D. 1000-1200. Frank Trimble established the first hotel here in 1882. New owners purchased the property in 2019, completed extensive renovations, and renamed it Durango Hot Springs Resort and Spa. It is one of the main hot springs near Durango on the San Juan Skyway route through southwestern Colorado.
Location & Access
Getting to Durango Hot Springs
Durango Hot Springs is at 6475 County Road 203, Durango, CO 81301, located in the unincorporated community of Hermosa in La Plata County, about 8 miles north of downtown Durango on US-550. From Durango, drive north on US-550 toward Silverton and turn onto County Road 203 at the Trimble Lane intersection. The resort is signed and visible from the highway. The drive from downtown Durango takes approximately 15 minutes.
From Albuquerque, the resort is approximately 224 miles north via US-550, a drive of about four hours. From Colorado Springs, it is roughly 300 miles southwest via US-24, US-285, and US-160, taking around six hours. From Telluride, drive south on CO-145 to CO-184 and US-550, a drive of about 90 minutes. The resort is 15 miles south of Purgatory Mountain Resort, making it a practical stop during ski season. La Plata County Airport is approximately 20 miles southeast of the resort.
Parking is available on site. Reservations are recommended and can be booked online. Walk-in visitors are accepted when capacity allows. For visitors looking for hot springs near Durango that offer a full resort experience, this is the primary large-scale facility in La Plata County. The resort is also convenient for travelers on the San Juan Skyway, which connects Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, Cortez, and Mesa Verde National Park.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Durango Hot Springs Suits
Durango Hot Springs suits families, couples, and groups looking for a full-service mineral hot spring experience near Durango. The resort is divided into a family section and an adults-only section. The resort has documented ADA-accessible mineral pools with transfer walls and a zero-entry ramp on the swimming pool, making it one of the more accessible hot spring facilities in Colorado for visitors with mobility needs.
The range of pool temperatures from 99 to 112 degrees, combined with cold plunges and optional private cedar tubs, suits visitors with different soaking preferences. Spa services including massage, facials, and body treatments are available and include complimentary hot spring access. For visitors interested in natural hot springs in Colorado with modern spa facilities, Durango Hot Springs combines geothermal mineral water with a structured resort environment and a range of water experiences beyond standard soaking pools.
Swimwear is required at all times. Outside food and alcohol are not permitted. Guests are asked to shower before entering pools and to keep phone use to a minimum in the soaking areas. Live music is offered on selected summer evenings. The resort is open daily year-round except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve after 5 p.m., and Christmas Day. Reservations are recommended and can be made online.
Safety & Etiquette
Durango Hot Springs Safety Tips
Durango Hot Springs is generally safe for most visitors, with documented ADA accessibility across a significant portion of its pools. Pool temperatures range from 99 to 112 degrees Fahrenheit. Some pools exceed the 104-degree threshold associated with increased heat risk, so visitors should test each pool before entering and move to cooler options if needed. Cold plunges are available adjacent to the hot pools for contrast therapy.
People with cardiovascular conditions, high or low blood pressure, pregnancy, or other medical conditions should consult a physician before soaking in high-temperature mineral pools. Pregnant visitors are advised to avoid pools above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Chlorine is used only in the fresh-water swimming pool and the cold plunges; the mineral hot spring pools use an oxygen-infused flow-through system for water quality.
Children are welcome in the family section and must be supervised near the water at all times. The swimming pool has a maximum depth of 4.5 feet and a zero-entry ramp. Outside alcohol is prohibited. Dehydration is a real risk during extended soaking; the resort provides water refill stations throughout the property and encourages reusable water bottles.
The resort is at approximately 6,500 feet in the Animas Valley. Visitors arriving from significantly lower elevations may feel mild altitude effects, particularly when soaking in hot water. Staying hydrated, taking breaks between soaks, and resting in shaded areas helps manage this. Durango is nearby with full medical services available within a short drive of the resort.
