I am a sucker for a good hot tub. If it’s outdoors, even better. So it’s no shocker that settling into a hot spring made my 100 Dreams list. In addition to the relaxing vibes of a regular hot tub, hot springs offer added health benefits because they are rich in minerals and sulfur. Many of them also come with a fantastic view! As I began to dig into where I’d have to go to make my dream of a soak come true, I discovered there are a wide variety of hot springs in the US alone. Ranging from manmade landscaped pools that pump these earthy healing waters in, to soft bottom all natural valley soaks, to cattle troughs (AKA cowboy tubs) and everything in between, I’d have my choice of my ideal hot spring experience. In 2024, I was able to check item #34 off my list not once, but twice. In February I was tentatively planning to visit Iceland with a group of three other travelers. While both the location and the company changed just weeks prior to leaving (more on this in a future post), I did end up traveling in a group of four to Banff, Canada (or Fake Iceland as we referred to it). One of the things I was most looking forward to in Iceland was visiting the iconic Blue Lagoon. In Banff we did our best to replicate this, giving me my first hot spring experience at Banff Upper Hot Springs. Was it relaxing? Yes. Did I thoroughly enjoy myself? Absolutely. Did it offer a stunning view of the Canadian Rockies? If you sat at the right angle. I have to admit, this location did feel a skosh like a glorified hot tub though. Still, worth a stop if you’re in the area!
My second hot spring experience was, shall we say, a bit more rustic. Situated in a desert oasis in the mountains of Florence, Colorado, Desert Reef Hot Springs gave more of the tranquil vibes I had anticipated when I first set out to visit a hot spring. Located at the end of a mile-long dirt road, Desert Reef certainly provided the “off the gridness” ideal for ultimate relaxation. While it still wasn’t the natural mud bottom type hot spring, it did offer a different kind of all-natural experience: suits were optional! It was here that Brianne and I reflected on why it is that Americans really ARE such prudes, while also keeping our bikinis firmly attached. All in all, my time in the two hot springs was fantastic. Would I say no to stumbling upon a hot spring found 100% in nature? Absolutely not. But my visits to Banff Upper Hot Springs and Desert Reef satisfied the goal in my book.
