North Carolina has one significant naturally occurring hot spring, Hot Springs, NC, the only true hot spring in the entire Appalachian range and the reason a town on the Appalachian Trail carries the name. Hot Springs, NC is the only Appalachian Trail town built around a genuine geothermal soak, drawing thru-hikers into private mineral-water jetted tubs on the French Broad River. The Hot Springs Resort & Spa operates outdoor mineral tubs fed by 100°F+ water sourced from deep circulation along Southern Appalachian fault zones, a rare thermal anomaly in an otherwise geothermally quiet crystalline bedrock region. There are no free primitive soaks in the state; access is exclusively at the paid resort. Water temperature is approximately 100-102°F at the tubs and total mineral content is high. Access is drive-up on US-25/70; the town is roughly 40 minutes from Asheville. Best season is year-round - the tubs are outdoor and hooded and popular in cool weather. Gateway airport is Asheville Regional (AVL). Swimwear is required. Travelers searching for hot springs in North Carolina, hot springs near Asheville, or Appalachian hot springs will find this single site of consequence. Reviewed and updated June 2026. See the listing for tub reservation windows.
