Radium Hot Springs

The Honest Take

Radium Hot Springs is the closest free soak to Denver, and one of the least-known hot springs in the state. A single natural pool (sometimes two, depending on season) sits on the bank of the Colorado River near the tiny town of Radium, 90 minutes west of Denver. No entry fee. No changing rooms. No parking lot attendant. Just a hot pool next to a cold river, BLM land all around.

The experience is raw. The pool is hand-dug and maintained by whoever shows up: rocks shifted to direct more or less hot spring water, depth varying by season and recent user effort. The surrounding landscape is high desert canyon country that most Denver residents have never seen. On a November weekday, you might share it with one other car.

This isn’t Valley View or Strawberry Park. The pool isn’t stunning and the setting isn’t dramatic. But it’s free, it’s close, and it’s genuinely wild: three things very few Colorado hot springs can claim simultaneously.

The Pool

One primary soaking pool, roughly 8–10 feet across and 2–3 feet deep, formed by diverting a natural hot spring (about 110°F at the source) with river rocks. The temperature of the soaking pool depends on how recently someone has adjusted the rocks: typically 100–105°F when well-configured.

The Colorado River is right there. Cold plunge available.

Important: The pool can flood and be inaccessible during high spring runoff (typically April–June depending on snowpack). Check river levels before the trip.

Getting There

Take I-70 west toward Wolcott/Bond, then north on CO-131 through Yampa toward Kremmling. From the Radium Recreation Area, drive 1.5 miles northeast on Trough Road (County Road 1) to Warm Springs Road. Park at the trailhead at the end of Warm Springs Road and hike in on foot.

Important: The former access route through the Mugrage Campground is permanently closed as of 2022. Many older guides and GPS routes still show this path — ignore them.

• Distance: ~130 miles from Denver
• Road: Paved to Trough Road, then gravel; Warm Springs Road can be impassable in winter
• Parking: Small trailhead lot at end of Warm Springs Road; overflow along County Road 1
• Hike in: Short walk on foot from the trailhead (Warm Springs Trail or Ol’ Warm Springs Trail)

Seasonal Conditions

Season	Crowds	Access	Notes
Summer	Low	Check river flow	High runoff can flood the pool May–July
Fall	Very Low	Clear	Best season. Crisp air, reliable pool, zero crowds.
Winter	Very Low	Watch icy roads	Trough Road can ice up: check conditions
Spring	Low	Often inaccessible	River runoff frequently floods the pool

Crowd Reality

Most weeks, you’ll see 0–4 cars at Radium. It’s not on most hot springs lists, Google doesn’t surface it prominently, and the lack of facilities keeps the casual crowd away. The people who find it are typically locals, campers, and dedicated searchers.

That said: it’s a free BLM hot spring, so on a good-weather weekend in fall it can get up to 10–15 people. Still manageable.

What to Bring

• Everything: there are no facilities whatsoever
• Towel and dry clothes: the walk to and from the pool crosses rough terrain
• Water shoes: rocky river banks
• Trash bags: pack out everything you bring in (LNT is important here)
• Dog leash: dogs are welcome but should be leashed around the river

Is It Worth It?

For a free, 90-minute drive, absolutely yes: with appropriate expectations. This isn’t a spa experience. It’s a primitive soaking pool on BLM land that exists because someone built it from river rocks. That’s the appeal.

Best for: Free-spirit soakers, people who want the “off the grid” feeling close to Denver, dog owners, campers doing a multi-day BLM trip.

Skip it if: You want reliable, consistent conditions: the pool varies significantly by season and recent maintenance.