Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort

The Honest Take

Mt. Princeton sits at the base of a 14,197-foot peak in Chalk Creek Canyon. It has a proper resort (with lodge rooms, a restaurant, and a bar) alongside multiple soaking pools of varying temperatures. The creek-side rock pools: carved from the natural stream bed: are the main event and genuinely spectacular.

This is the hot spring you come to when you want more than a soak. You can make it a day trip from Denver, but the smarter move is an overnight at the lodge or a nearby Buena Vista cabin. The Buena Vista area has become one of Colorado’s best weekend destinations: whitewater rafting, hiking, excellent restaurants: and Mt. Princeton anchors it.

One honest note: the resort pools are maintained and clean but feel more “pool” than the raw natural experience at Strawberry Park or Valley View. The creek pools are the counterpoint: those feel exactly as wild as they look.

The Pools

Main soaking pools (resort area): Three temperature-controlled pools at 97°F, 103°F, and 108°F. Clean, well-maintained, and crowded on weekends. These are the most Instagram-visible option.

Creek pools (Chalk Creek): The real reason to come. Natural rock pools built into Chalk Creek, with hot spring water mixing with the cold mountain creek. The temperature varies based on where you sit: hotter near the spring inlet, cooler toward the creek. These pools require a short walk (5 minutes) from the main resort area and are first-come, first-served.

Water temp: 100–106°F in the resort pools; variable in the creek pools (usually 95–105°F depending on flow and position).

Getting There

US-285 south from Denver to Nathrop (between Salida and Buena Vista), then County Road 162 west for 5 miles into Chalk Creek Canyon. The road is paved and accessible year-round.

• Distance from Denver: ~120 miles
• Drive: US-285 over Kenosha Pass: one of Colorado’s best scenic drives
• Parking: Free, ample lot at the resort

Route note: US-285 over Kenosha Pass is stunning in fall (October aspens) and generally easy in winter. At 9,999 feet, it can get icy: carry chains or have AWD in winter.

Seasonal Conditions

Season	Crowds	Road	Notes
Summer	High	Clear	Creek pools at their best but busiest.
Fall	Medium	Clear	Best season. Aspens above the canyon are peak.
Winter	Low–Medium	Watch Kenosha Pass	Creek pools with snow = stunning.
Spring	Low	Muddy runoff	Creek flows fast; pools vary more in temp.

Crowd Reality

Mt. Princeton draws a broader crowd than most springs: resort guests, day-trippers, families, and couples mix together. The resort pools feel crowded faster than the creek pools. On a summer Saturday afternoon, expect to share a creek pool with 4–6 people.

The strategy: Head to the creek pools first when you arrive: they tend to empty out after families leave around 4pm.

What to Bring

• Towel: available to rent at the resort
• Water shoes: the creek pool rocks are slippery
• Change of clothes: you’ll want dry layers after the creek pools in winter
• Appetite: the resort restaurant is worth staying for dinner

Is It Worth It?

Mt. Princeton is the best “complete day trip” hot spring from Denver. The combination of the canyon drive, 14er views, creek pools, and a resort with food and drinks makes it the most versatile option on this list. It works equally well as a solo soaker, a date, or a family trip.

Best for: Those who want more than just a soak: a full day or overnight experience. Best bang for the effort of a 2-hour drive.

Skip it if: You want absolute solitude. On a Saturday, this is a social experience, not a contemplative one.