United States hot springs travel guide

From the vast volcanic landscapes of the American West to the deep valleys of the Rockies, the United States spreads out a thermal geography as sprawling as the country itself. Thermae lists 567 locations here, reflecting a wide range of settings and moods: steaming geyser basins tucked inside national parks, wild springs reached only after a hike, or developed resorts with pools and lodging inherited from the golden age of thermal tourism in the 19th and 20th centuries.

This culture of warm bathing didn't begin with European settlers: many springs were already known and used by Native American peoples long before, who held them in high regard within their traditions and intertribal exchanges. That heritage still echoes today in the names of many sites and in the local memory of several regions.

Between the volcanic landscapes of Wyoming or Idaho, the remote soaking spots of Colorado, and the older traditions of the Southwest, exploring America's hot springs means crossing a country where dramatic geology meets a deep and varied cultural history.

When to go

Most common ideal season among mapped places: Year-round.