Quick FactsOverview
About Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort
Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, Colorado is a paid year-round resort at 15870 County Road 162 in Nathrop, on 70 acres along Chalk Creek between Buena Vista and Salida at 8,250 feet. Geothermal water surfaces at up to 140 degrees and feeds multiple soaking areas. The Creekside Hot Springs are pools formed in Chalk Creek where hot spring water bubbles through the creek bed and temperatures are adjustable by stacking rocks. The Historic Bathhouse area has a Soaking Pool at around 103 to 105 degrees and an Exercise Pool at around 90 degrees. An adults-only Spa and Club section provides additional pools for overnight guests and spa patrons aged 16 and over.
The resort has creekside pools, upper pools, an infinity pool, a lazy river, and twin 700-foot waterslides in summer. It includes a restaurant, a full spa, a fitness center, and lodging: lodge rooms, creekside suites, hillside rooms, cliffside rooms, and cabins. Overnight guests get complimentary pool access. Day use is available without reservations.
The springs have been used since the 1860s, when D.H. Heywood opened the first hotel and the bathhouse was established in 1867. The property draws visitors seeking hot springs near Buena Vista in the Collegiate Peaks area, backed by the distinctive Chalk Cliffs and surrounding 14,000-foot peaks.
Location & Access
Getting to Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort
Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort is at 15870 County Road 162, Nathrop, CO 81236, approximately 15 minutes south of Buena Vista and 25 minutes north of Salida. From US-285, turn west onto County Road 162 at the sign for Mount Princeton and St. Elmo in Nathrop. The resort is 4.5 miles west on the left side of the road along Chalk Creek.
From Denver, take US-285 south through Fairplay and Buena Vista to Nathrop, approximately 2.5 hours. From Colorado Springs, take US-50 west to Poncha Springs, then US-285 north to Nathrop, approximately 2 hours. From Salida, drive north on US-285 approximately 25 minutes to the CR-162 turnoff. Parking is available on site. No reservations are required for day-use pool access; day passes are purchased on arrival. Overnight lodging reservations are made in advance through the resort website.
The Creekside Hot Springs area along Chalk Creek requires a short walk from the main bathhouse area and involves crossing a bridge. In winter, the path can be icy; walking carefully between areas is advisable. The resort is in a valley at 8,250 feet and weather can change quickly, particularly in afternoon thunderstorm season in summer. For visitors exploring hot springs near Buena Vista, this is the largest resort facility in Chaffee County and one of the most accessible from central Colorado.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort Suits
Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort suits families, couples, and groups looking for a full-service mountain resort with diverse soaking options. The property is explicitly family-friendly with pools for all ages, including the cooler exercise pool which is popular with younger children due to its lower temperature. The adults-only Spa and Club section is available to overnight guests and spa patrons aged 16 and over, giving the resort both a family-focused area and a quieter adult space within the same property.
The documented ADA lift in the main pool, accessible bathrooms, and designated accessible parking make the main bathhouse area usable for visitors with mobility needs. However, the Creekside Hot Springs area requires crossing a bridge and navigating creek rocks and is not wheelchair-accessible. Visitors with mobility concerns should contact the resort in advance to confirm current access options. For those seeking accessible natural hot springs in Colorado, the bathhouse section is the most practical option on this 70-acre property.
The resort is pet-friendly in specific cabins and rooms for an additional fee. Lodging ranges from hillside rooms to creekside suites with glass-front fireplaces. Nearby activities include hiking, whitewater rafting, the St. Elmo ghost town, and the Colorado Trail, all bookable through the resort concierge. The elevation of 8,250 feet and mountain valley setting makes it a scenic destination year-round.
Safety & Etiquette
Mount Princeton Hot Springs Safety Tips
Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort is generally safe for most visitors, with lifeguards on duty at the main pools. Pool temperatures range from around 90 degrees in the exercise pool up to 103 to 105 degrees in the soaking and creekside pools. The Creekside Hot Springs in Chalk Creek can reach up to 120 degrees at the source; the pools there are adjustable by stacking rocks to control the mix of creek and hot spring water, but visitors should test the temperature carefully before entering as conditions vary.
The resort sits at 8,250 feet in a mountain valley. The combination of high altitude and warm water soaking accelerates dehydration; drinking water regularly throughout a visit is important. Water dispensers are available at the main bathhouse. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer; pools may close briefly during lightning, and checking conditions before making the walk to the creekside area is advisable.
People with cardiovascular conditions, high or low blood pressure, or pregnancy should consult a physician before using pools above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The Creekside Hot Springs area requires walking across a bridge and navigating rocks in the creek bed; this area is not suitable for young children without close supervision. In winter, pathways between the parking area, bathhouse, and creekside can be icy; extra care on those sections is needed.
No reservations are required for day use. The pool cleaning schedule is daily. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the property. The resort is a 2.5-hour drive from Denver with full emergency services available in both Buena Vista and Salida, each within 25 minutes of the resort.
