Located five miles north of the historic mining town of Durango, CO, Durango Hot Springs Resort and Spa is the world's first naturally-occurring mineral springs to use technology to enhance the purity and health benefits of its thermal waters.

The AquaGen system infuses oxygen-rich Nanobubbles into its waters. The hot springs boasts a flow-through water system with an exceptionally high flow rate, exchanging freshwater through the system every two hours for each mineral pool, versus the commercial hot springs industry standard of just once every 24 hours. Approximately 80% of the resort's mineral water is then returned to the aquifer.

Spa Profile: Durango Hot Springs Spa

For guests who want to indulge in one of the many body treatments or facials on offer, they can visit the full-service day spa on site.

When Durango Hot Springs water emerges from the nearby Trimble fault (in fact, locals still refer to this area as Trimble Hot Springs), it’s been naturally cleaned, mineralized, and heated to 120 degrees. These unique waters contain 32 minerals naturally found in the human body. The result: pure relaxation.

What’s Coming: The Zen Garden will be ready by this summer. The space is designed for contemplation and relaxation.

The Bathhouse

Guests are welcomed at the bathhouse upon arrival where they can buy passes, swimwear, body care products, and prepare for their soak. A two-hour soak costs $39 and a three-hour pass costs $49. Kids can always enter for half price. Family changing rooms with showers, hair dryers and shampoo, body wash and conditioner are included with the reservation. Additional changing rooms and clothing storage can be found outside of the bathhouse.

After my partner Mike and I arrived for our Saturday evening soak, we were immediately greeted by the front desk staff who gave us plush robes to wear and spa sandals. The plush robe was much welcome as the temperature outside was around 30 degrees. The staff also gifted us with branded towels and water bottles (it’s important to stay hydrated when soaking in the hot springs).

For guests who want to nibble on snacks while enjoying the springs, Bear’s Watershed on site serves beer, wine, frozen drinks, non-alcoholic beverages, sandwiches, and snacks. Additionally, the Elevated Eats food truck serves lunch and dinner items. To stay hydrated, there are filtered water bottle-filling stations located in the bathhouse.

Another addition to the resort is the reflexology path. It’s designed to knead and stimulate acupressure points on the bottom of the foot that are linked to the body’s various energy channels.

What’s more, the historic property is a certified Wildlife Habitat recognized by the Nation Wildlife Federation with over 250 different plant species providing food, water, and cover for a variety of wildlife. The heat from the geothermal water running through the property provides an excellent growing season.

Roughly 90 percent of the garden is perennial and 10% annual. Many of the plants and flowers are intentionally planted to promote wildlife interaction—specifically butterflies, hummingbirds, Red Wing Black Birds, and Western Tanagers.

Here’s What You’ll Love About Durango Hot Springs Resort and Spa:

• 32 hot springs mineral pools

• Two cold plunge pools

• A resort-style swimming pool

• A water tower

• Five private cedar tubs (Oforu tubs)

• A full-service day spa

• There are 10 ADA accessible soaking pools located across the property with a zero-entry ramp on the swimming pool

• Bathhouses, saunas, casual dining, botanic gardens, and more

Winter Activities

Colorado is known for its hot springs and hot springs culture. Locals and visitors alike enjoy exploring  the variety of natural hot springs in the state no matter the season. In fact, hot springs are a busy tourist attraction in the winter as well as summer. You can enjoy a warm dip after a day of skiing or make it a day trip with friends. There’s plenty of winter activities for everyone to enjoy near the resort.

Hit the Slopes at Purgatory Resort

Only 20 minutes from the hot springs is Purgatory Resort, one of Colorado's most affordable ski resorts. With 105 trails you'll find slopes for every skill level, without the crowds.

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Explore Mesa Verde National Park

Venture to Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. While some areas are closed during the winter, you can explore several cliff dwellings.

Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

For a quieter, more meditative experience in the snow-covered wilderness, check out the Purgatory Nordic Center with 20 kilometers of nordic skiing trails groomed daily plus 5 kilometers of snowshoe trails.

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Farm to Table Dining

After a winter adventure, replenish your energy with some of Durango's best cuisine. The "table on the farm" at James Ranch Grill sources its main ingredients from the ranch itself. We ate there before heading to the Strater Hotel on our first night. I had the grass-fed beef burger (delish!)

Health and Wellness Benefits of Soaking in the Hot Springs

• The 32 minerals present in the water include magnesium, potassium, sulfate, and calcium, which can help alleviate various types of pain such as alleviating muscle aches, joint pain, and arthritis.

• The hot water promotes better blood circulation by dilating blood vessels and increasing blood flow, which helps with conditions like hypertension.

• The resort adds 1 trillion Nanobubbles of medical grade oxygen to each liter of water. This enhances the water’s ability to oxygenate the body and skin, aiding in skin repair and recovery.

• Soaking in mineral waters with sulfur and silica content can help improve skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.

• Hot springs help the body detoxify by promoting sweating, which helps eliminate toxins and impurities from the body.

• The soothing surroundings of the San Juan Mountains and the absence of distractions create an ideal environment for relaxation, which can lower stress levels and positively impact mood.

Mike and I were given access to one of the five private Oforu cedar tubs on the property that are tucked into the hillside. The scene was magical at night with the twinkling lights illuminating the foliage. We were glad to have our robes nearby as we exited the tubs to enjoy the other hot springs on the property.

Accommodations

While the resort is currently in the process of building accommodations on the property, the finished rooms are still a few years out. Looking for a place to stay in the town?  Look no further than the historic Strater Hotel, the oldest hotel in the city.  

Durango is a former Victorian mining town and the small Main street reflects that history. The San Juan mountain range juts up from behind the Strater creating a dramatic view. The hotel is essentially a living museum.

Built in 1887 and considered the hotel that built Durango, there are plenty of Victorian and historical accents like handcrafted woodwork, period wallpaper, and the largest collection of American Victorian walnut antiques.

The Spa

The second day of our trip, I returned to the hot springs and resort to try a 50-minute Stone Cold Fire Massage ($125). This therapeutic massage utilizes hot and cold stones to relax sore and tight muscles, alleviating symptoms of pain and aid in the relief of swelling and inflammation. It’s perfect for athletes who like to push themselves outdoors either skiing, snowshoeing or hiking.

Before my service, I stopped into the lounge area to enjoy a warm cup of tea and to sit by the gas fireplace. Ongoing renovations include expanding the day spa into a two-story space. Currently, the check-in and lounge areas are on one floor with private spa rooms just behind the building.

After I changed into a spa robe and sandals, I was led to one of the treatment rooms. The room was comfortably warm and electric candles flickered on a display table nearby. My massage therapist asked if I had any health concerns or areas of tension or stress in my body. I mentioned that I had some right hip and leg tightness and was trying to reduce overall inflation.

He then explained the benefits of the hot and cold stones. I was a little skeptical of cold stones on a cold winter day, but the experience left my mind and body feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and most importantly, relaxed.

For more information on Durango Hot Springs Resort and Spa, call (970) 247-0111, visit their website and follow on Instagram: @durangohotsprings. To book your next stay at the Strater Hotel, click here.

6475 Co Rd 203, Durango, CO 81301

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[Photos courtesy of Durango Hot Springs Resort and Spa/Erin Dougherty]

Erin Dougherty earned her undergraduate degree in Creative Writing from Seattle University and a Master’s in English from Duquesne University. She has been Associate Editor at Launchpad magazine and a contributing editor to American Salon magazine