Updated ·
Penny Hot Springs — Free soaking · donation encouraged in Carbondale, CO (2026)
Locals rebuild rock pens on the Crystal River shoulder so bathers can mix scalding vents with snowmelt for the perfect soak beneath towering granite walls.
Temperature
98°–108°F
Pools
2 soaking pools
Best season
May-October
Reservations
Walk-up friendly
Dog policy
Leashed dogs welcome
Family policy
Adults only
Safety notes
- Spring runoff can blow out the pools entirely—do not wade when the river is raging.
- Parking is a tiny pull-out on CO-133; sheriff’s deputies ticket cars outside the striped area.
Amenities & etiquette
FAQ
Plan more in Colorado
Want a full itinerary? Start with the state hub, then browse the best-of and free-soaking guides tailored for each season.
Nearby hot springs
Avalanche Ranch Hot Springs
Carbondale, CO
Three cascading stone pools spill toward the Crystal River with elk-antler lighting, barn-style changing rooms, and cozy cabins tucked beneath Mount Sopris.
Cottonwood Hot Springs
Buena Vista, CO
Hand-built stone pools sit beside Cottonwood Creek, shaded by ponderosa pine and free of chemical additives. Rustic lodge rooms, creekside cabins, and tent sites make it an easy base for Monarch Pass ski days.
Dunton Hot Springs
Dolores, CO
A restored 1880s ghost town now operates as an ultra-luxury hideaway with log cabins, chef-led dining, and cedar-lined bathhouse pools fed by a 104°F artesian spring. Winter heli-ski packages and summer fly-fishing fill out the all-inclusive itineraries.
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort
Glenwood Springs, CO
America's largest mineral pool taps the Yampah spring and pairs a 405-foot lap pool with a therapy soak. Renovated locker rooms, on-site hotel rooms, and a splash zone make it easy to mix with skiing or rafting trips.