Colorado Hot Springs Packing List
The 12 things you'll wish you brought and the 3 things you can leave home. A no-fluff packing list for day trips and overnight hot spring visits in Colorado.
Pack This, Leave That
Most hot spring packing guides tell you to bring 40 things. You don’t need 40 things. You need the right 12, and to leave the 3 things that will actually ruin your day.
This list is built from dozens of Colorado hot spring visits across every season.
The 12 Things to Bring
1. Swimsuit (obviously: but read this)
Bring one you don’t mind getting mineral-stained. Hot spring water: especially sulfur-rich water: will fade dark colors and leave mineral deposits on light ones over time. Your favorite suit is not the right call. A dedicated “hot spring suit” that lives in your gear bag is the move.
2. Two Towels
One for your body, one for your hair. Coming out of a hot pool into Colorado winter air with wet hair is miserable. A microfiber towel works great as the second: packs small and dries fast.
Gear pick: Youphoria Microfiber Travel Towel: packs to the size of a water bottle, dries in 20 minutes
3. Changing Robe / Dryrobe
The single best upgrade for Colorado hot spring visits. Walk from your car to the pool and back without freezing. Change underneath it in the parking lot without a changing room. Worth every dollar, especially for winter visits.
Gear pick: Laguso Changing Robe or any full-length changing robe with a hood
4. Water Shoes
Hot spring pool decks are wet and often slippery. Primitive springs have rocky, uneven floors. Flip flops work but water shoes with grip are safer and more comfortable for the hike in to primitive springs.
Gear pick: Merrell Hydro Moc: comfortable enough to hike in, drain fast, grip on wet rock
5. Large Water Bottle (32 oz minimum)
You will sweat significantly in hot water even though you can’t feel it. Dehydration headaches are the #1 thing that ruins first-time hot spring visits. Bring more water than you think you need and drink before you feel thirsty.
Gear pick: Hydro Flask 32oz Wide Mouth: keeps water cold for the drive home too
6. Small Dry Bag or Waterproof Pouch
For your phone, wallet, and car keys poolside. One dropped phone in a hot spring and you’ll wish you had this. A 5L dry bag costs $10–$15 and solves the problem permanently.
Gear pick: Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Nano Dry Sack 4L
7. Layers for After
You’ll be warm when you leave the pools. The walk to your car, the drive home: especially over mountain passes in winter: gets cold fast. A fleece, a down jacket, and dry pants are the difference between a perfect day and a miserable hour in the car.
8. Sunscreen
For daytime summer visits especially. You’re sitting still, often in direct sun, and the steam actually amplifies sun exposure. Mineral sunscreen is recommended: it doesn’t interact with spring chemistry the way chemical sunscreen can.
9. Small Padlock
Commercial springs with changing rooms have lockers: but they’re almost always the kind that need your own lock. A small combination lock lives in your gear bag and solves the “where do I put my wallet” problem forever.
10. Snacks
You’ll be hungry after soaking. The mineral water, the heat, and the relaxation all trigger appetite. If you’re visiting a commercial spring with a snack bar, great. If you’re at a primitive spring, you’re on your own.
11. Cash
Some springs (Orvis, Radium) strongly prefer or require cash. Some have ATMs that charge fees. $40 in your bag handles every Colorado hot spring.
12. Headlamp
If there’s any chance you’ll be there after dark: and evening soaks are worth planning for: a headlamp in the bag is the difference between a smooth exit and stumbling through a dark parking lot. One AA headlamp lives in the bag year-round.
The 3 Things to Leave Home
1. Glass Bottles
Prohibited at every commercial hot spring. A water bottle, a canned drink: fine. A wine bottle: leave it. This rule gets enforced.
2. Expensive Jewelry
Mineral water and heat are hard on metals, especially silver. Chlorinated commercial pools are worse. Leave the nice stuff at home.
3. Your Good Camera (Unless You Know What You’re Doing)
Steam, humidity, and heat are hard on electronics. Your phone in a waterproof case is fine. A DSLR or mirrorless camera poolside on a steamy day is a real risk. If you’re committed to photography, bring a dedicated waterproof camera or be very careful with your gear.
The Winter-Specific Add List
Winter hot spring visits are the best Colorado has to offer: but they need a few extra things:
- Hand warmers: for the walk from the car to the pool when it’s 15°F
- Wool socks: change into them immediately after for the drive home
- Ice scraper and snow brush: your car will have snow on it when you get back
- AWD/chains: several Colorado springs require 4WD roads in winter (Strawberry Park especially)
The Full Gear List at a Glance
| Item | Essential? | Winter? |
|---|---|---|
| Swimsuit (dedicated) | Yes | Yes |
| Two towels | Yes | Yes |
| Changing robe | Highly recommended | Must-have |
| Water shoes | Yes | Yes |
| 32oz water bottle | Yes | Yes |
| Small dry bag | Yes | Yes |
| Layers for after | Yes | Critical |
| Sunscreen | Summer | No |
| Small padlock | Commercial springs | Yes |
| Snacks | Yes | Yes |
| Cash | Yes | Yes |
| Headlamp | Evening visits | Yes |
| Hand warmers | No | Yes |
| Wool socks | No | Yes |
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