Colorado Hot Springs: Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort
This is our favorite Colorado Hot Springs choice if you’re coming from Colorado Springs. Only 1.5 hours west of Colorado Springs in Nathrop, Colorado, the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort gives you a great hot springs experience.
We love visiting these hot springs, and because they’re relatively close compared to many others, this is often our go-to place for a good soak.
Mt Princeton Resort has several attractive features, though, beyond just being the closest to our hometown.
Starting with...
THE OLYMPIC SIZED HEATED POOL
We usually begin our visits to Mt Princeton with a swim in the Olympic-sized heated pool.
There is a lap section marked off on the left, and a large open section for family play and splashing around.
It’s nice and warm, and a great way to loosen up for a soak.
Several deck chairs and a fireplace surround this pool, which can be nice for summertime sunshine or warmth during winter evening soaks.
THE SOAKING POOL
This is a smaller, but still quite large main pool, that is much hotter than the Olympic pool. We like to visit this pool second, and its definitely a soaker.
Mostly adults can be found in this pool, taking in the healing elements of the hot springs experience, and its generally quieter. At times, we’ve heard mellow classic rock played here, such as Pink Floyd or Neil Young.
Another feature that you can enjoy near this soaking pool is the steam shower. If the pools aren’t hot enough for you, walk into the steam room, close the glass door, and steam it up.
CREEKSIDE HOT SPRINGS
Yes, indeed, you can actually walk right down into the Chalk Creek itself. Along the banks are varying degrees of heat, and these pools have makeshift rock walls.
Experiment with the different distances from the source for temperature changes, or if you’re daring, just take a few steps and splash around in the frigid creek water to cool off and shock your skin.
Here's one visitor's video of the grounds, a nice look at the creek, as well as some recent upgrades underway...
FAMILY FUN
Mt Princeton is definitely a family-friendly Colorado hot springs , which means clothing is mandatory, and you may experience kids frolicking about or playing in the Olympic pool with water noodles or squirt guns.
They recently built a water slide and pool specifially for this kind of fun that is accessible higher on the hill, across the street from the main hot springs grounds.
GREAT VIEWS
One thing that can make a Colorado hot springs experience extra special is a great view. At Mount Princeton, not only is the drive there amazing (with the Collegiate Peaks on your horizon the whole way), but you get to gander at the beautiful Chalk Creek canyon walls while you soak.
And if you lay back in the springs on a clear night, you can stare up at the stars as they come out little by little after sunset. Due to the low light pollution way out in Nathrop, the Milky Way is visible, as are shooting stars and satellites.
Also, keep on the lookout for grazing mule deer. Seems like whole herds like to hang out. We’ve even seen one or two find their way through the fence on to the grounds, but they don’t stay long.
As far as amenitites, you’ll find a changing room, showers, lockers and towels. Friendly staff will help you with what you need. It’s a small place, and very easy to get around.
This overall Colorado hot springs experience is a great way to relax after a day of snowshoeing at nearby Agnes Vaille Falls or hiking the Ptarmigan Lake trail off nearby Cottonwood Pass.
Getting there: From Colorado Springs, take Hwy. 24 west to Johnson Village. At the stop sign turn South on Hwy 285, towards Salida. Go 5.5 miles to Nathrop. Watch for the sign that says Mount Princeton and St. Elmo. This is County Road 162, turn right. They are located 4.5 miles down the road on the left side.
Contact Info:
Mt. Princeton Hot Springs
Nathrop, CO
Phone: 719-395-2447
Toll Free: 1-888-395-7799
Mtprinceton.com