Trimble Spa & Natural Hot Springs

The Honest Take

Trimble Hot Springs has been on this site since the 1870s. The current operation is modest and unpretentious: an Olympic lap pool, a soaking pool, private outdoor hot tubs, and a comfortable shaded lounge area. It’s not dramatic — no mountain views through the steam, no social media-famous pools — but it’s competently run, the water is genuine geothermal, and Durango is one of the best towns in Colorado.

The reason to come to Trimble isn’t Trimble. It’s Durango. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, the Animas River, the trail network directly off downtown, Purgatory Resort in winter — Durango has enough to fill a long weekend. Trimble is the excellent evening addition to a full day spent in the San Juan Mountains.

The Pools

Three pool options:

• Olympic lap pool (82°F): Large, heated, good for swimming laps or floating. More pool than hot spring.
• Soaking pool (102°F): The one to spend time in. Properly hot, good flow of fresh mineral water.
• Private outdoor hot tubs: Bookable in advance, 104°F, good for couples or small groups who want privacy. Worth booking ahead on weekends.

The water comes from an on-site geothermal source with a mild sulfur content — standard for Colorado, not unpleasant. The facility is clean and well-maintained, with good shade structures for summer days.

Getting There

US-285 south through South Park, then US-160 west over Wolf Creek Pass to Durango. Trimble is 7 miles north of Durango on US-550 — the same road that becomes the Million Dollar Highway heading into Ouray.

• Distance: ~340 miles from Denver
• Drive time: 5.5 hours
• The pass: Wolf Creek Pass (US-160) is spectacular and can be snowy October–April. CDOT cotrip.org is your friend.

The natural pairing is a Durango weekend with Trimble as an evening soak: dinner on Durango’s Main Street, then walk to Trimble for a 9pm session. Or combine with Pagosa Springs (1 hour east) for a dedicated hot springs day.

Seasonal Conditions

Season	Crowds	Road	Notes
Summer	Medium–High	Clear	Durango summer is peak tourist season; weekends are busy
Fall	Low–Medium	Clear	Best season. San Juan aspens are world-class.
Winter	Low	Wolf Creek Pass can be snowy	Ski Purgatory, soak at Trimble in the evening. Good combo.
Spring	Low	Clear by May	Underrated. River is high, crowds are low.

Crowd Reality

Trimble gets moderate Durango tourist traffic in summer but never reaches the chaos of Glenwood Pool or Iron Mountain on a weekend. The private tubs help distribute the crowd. Weekday visits are usually relaxed even in peak season.

What to Bring

• Swimsuit: required in all areas
• Towel: available to rent, but bring your own if you’d rather
• Dinner reservation somewhere in Durango: the downtown restaurant scene is legitimately excellent

Is It Worth the 5.5-Hour Drive?

As a standalone hot spring, no — there are better soaking experiences closer to Denver. As part of a Durango trip, absolutely. The combination of a great mountain town, the San Juan Mountains, and a clean geothermal spa makes for an excellent 2–3 day Colorado trip. Stack it with a Narrow Gauge Railroad trip or a Pagosa Springs visit and it’s an easy yes.

Best for: Durango visitors who want an evening soak. Families needing a relaxed half-day activity. San Juan Mountains road trip add-on alongside Pagosa and Ouray.

Skip it if: You’re driving from Denver specifically for hot springs — that drive earns you Pagosa or Orvis, which are more distinctive experiences.