17 Extraordinary Hot Springs in Arizona You’ll Love

Arizona is home to some of the most exceptional landmarks in the United States. You’ll have plenty to explore from the majestic Grand Canyon to the rugged red cliffs of Horseshoe Bend and the enchanting Saguaro National Park. 

But there’s something else. Bubbling under the arid landscape, you’ll find several free and payable hot springs dotted across Arizona. These wondrous attractions include some of the best hot springs in the U.S. 

Arizona hot springs offer a relaxing retreat away from the humid desert air and have many soothing properties and health benefits. So when visiting this southwestern state, don’t hesitate to dip your feet into one of Arizona’s hot springs for a rejuvenating experience.

17 Best Arizona Hot Springs

Here’s a rundown of the most extraordinary hot springs in Arizona.

1. Ringbolt Hot Spring (Arizona Hot Spring)

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Tucked into a colorful slot canyon, the Ringbolt Hot Spring is a steamy and secluded set of three natural streams located along the Colorado River, just south of the Hoover Dam. These geothermal springs are a great place to soak and escape the sweltering sun.

You can reach the Ringbolt Hot Spring via a boat ride along the river or by hiking. If you choose the latter, brace yourself for a challenging 5.9-mile out-and-back trek along the White Rock Canyon trailhead, accessible via Highway 93.

But, at the end of your strenuous hike, you won’t regret a thing! The magnificence that awaits you at Ringbolt Hot Spring is like none other. You’ll enjoy soaking in the streams as they meander through towering red walls.

2. Castle Hot Springs

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Nestled in a lush oasis in the Sonoran Desert, Castle Hot Springs is located inside a newly-renovated hotel offering a blend of desert living and luxury. You’ll find three hot springs carved from rock and flowing through the canyon on the property.

You can pick a pool based on your preferences. The first pool is the warmest, with its average temperature reaching 41°C (106°F). The second pool is a little cooler than the first; its temperature is about 35.6°C (96°F), making it a great option for longer soaks and uninterrupted relaxation. Finally, the third pool lies in the heart of the canyon, surrounded by towering pals. It’s also the deepest pool, reaching about 30°C (86°F). 

In each pool, there’s a range of soothing minerals and elements, like lithium, which helps block the build-up of stress and toxins. There’s also magnesium and bicarbonates, which can help ease joint and muscle pains.

Check out my article on Hot Springs Wyoming.

3. El Dorado Hot Springs

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Another quaint oasis in the desert is the El Dorado Hot Springs. These natural thermal pools are located in a rustic hippie-looking property in Tonopah, about an hour’s drive from Phoenix. 

The property also offers an RV park and campsites to stay overnight. There’s a small fee to pay upon entrance; this will vary according to where you’re staying or just there to relax in the pools. 

El Dorado offers a variety of stone-built and concrete mineral pools. There are public and private pools (if you’re a bit shy) and a few clawfoot tubs. All public and private pools are outside, although board fences and bushes cover the private ones, so there’s no need to worry about privacy.

Fun Fact: Tonopah means “hot water under the bush”.

4. Pumpkin Spring Pool

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There are plenty of famous landmarks in Arizona, but this stunning hidden gem always stays under the radar. The Pumpkin Spring Pool is one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders you’ll ever see. 

And I say “see” for a reason. Although the pumpkin-shaped and coloured natural pool may seem inviting, it contains high arsenic, lead, copper, and zinc levels. 

These elements make the water poisonous, so you should avoid touching it, let alone immersing your whole body. 

So you might be disappointed that you can’t soak in the pool, but surely the stunning scenery will be worth the trip. The pool hangs just over the Colorado River, with bulging rocks and an arid landscape surrounding it, making it one of the most photogenic spots in the canyon.

5. Clifton Mineral Hot Springs

Image from Wikimedia

Clifton Mineral Hot Springs is located in a quintessential Arizona town of the same name. Nestled in a canyon formed by the mighty San Francisco River, the town saw an economic boom thanks to its large copper deposits.

At the turn of the 20th century, there was a plan to turn the natural hot springs into bathhouses. But after several attempts and expensive newspaper advertisements, the launch of Clifton’s bathhouses failed.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t visit them today for a lovely soak in the mineralized waters. Use of the hot springs dates back to the 1820s, with reports of mountain men who bathed in the hot springs for their healing properties.

6. Lost Man Hot Springs

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The Lost Man Hot Springs straddles the Nevada-Arizona border, about three miles from the Hoover Dam. You can access the trailhead within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Another way to get to this natural stream is by taking a boat or kayak along the Colorado River. If you visit the hot spring via the desert, prepare for a challenging hike, scrambling over boulders, ascending, descending, and trudging through a rugged landscape.

Due to its remote location, the Lost Man Hot Spring is not the most popular. But if you want to avoid crowds, it’s the perfect place to soak and immerse yourself in Arizona’s uninterrupted desert. 

You might enjoy reading my articles on North Carolina hot springs and Wyoming Hot Springs.

7. Lone Palm Hot Springs

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If you visit the Lost Man Hot Spring, you’re in for a two-for-one special, as the Lone Palm Hot Springs are in the same recreational area. Both the springs are hidden along a ravine and surrounded by mountains.

Lone Palm Hot Spring is arguably the better of the two, but it’s just as challenging to get to. I’d suggest you read all the reviews on AllTrails.com to prepare yourself for the trek and to get insider tips on how to reach the hot spring without much trouble.

You’ll know you’ve reached your destination when you see a lone palm tree on the riverbanks.

8. Hannah Hot Spring

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One of Arizona’s most remote natural pools is Hannah Hot Spring, located near Tucson. The route to Hannah Hot Spring is also one of the most challenging but incredibly rewarding. You’ll have to brave an 8.3-mile trek through the Blue River Canyon. 

The trail to the hot spring is rough and rugged, so expect a few backtracks, occasionally crossing the river, which can get about thigh-high in spring. At the end of your hike, you’ll find a hidden natural pool with 56°C (133°F) water at the mountain’s base.

9. Hot Well Dunes Hot Springs

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Located in the midst of 2,000 acres of rolling sand dunes, the Hot Well Dunes Hot Springs are popular among off-roading and camping enthusiasts in Arizona. 

The two cement pools boast naturally heated water which is about 41°C (106°F) from the source but can get hotter depending on daily temperatures. The tubs are closed off with a fence to keep out any wild animals. 

Soaking in the Hot Well Dunes Hot Springs is a great way to end the day after dirt biking or ATV riding in the desert. You can also relax in these pools while camping in the Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area.

10. Verde Hot Spring

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The Verde Hot Spring is one of Arizona’s most well-known natural pools, so it can get crowded at times. The hot springs are about two to three hours from the beautiful towns of Sedona and Flagstaff.

But the main attraction that leads most people to the Verde Hot Spring is Verde Camp, a charming town dotted with outdoor adventures, historic sites, and wildlife viewings. The town is also known as the gateway to the Verde Valley Wine Trail.

You’ll drive about an hour and a half from the Verde Camp Visitor Center along a rough forest road to reach the hot springs. A short uphill hike and wade through the river, and you’ll reach the natural pools, which are the only thing that remain from a former resort built here.

The pools are built into cement foundations that were part of the resort. One is a square tub surrounded by towering art-painted walls, and the other is an open pool overlooking the Verde River. So, you’ll get to soak in 38,9°C (102°F) waters while admiring the spectacular scenery.

11. Tuakay Hot Springs

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Another Arizona hot spring that is challenging but extremely rewarding is the Tuakay Hot Springs. Located just south of the Theodore Roosevelt Dam along the Salt River, these elusive hot springs are sought after for their healing properties.

If you’d like to enjoy a relaxing soak in these waters, I’d suggest asking some of the locals in Roosevelt for directions, as the trails and signs seem to have been left unattended for years. 

Fun Fact: Tuakay means “salt” in the Apache language.

12. Sheep Bridge Hot Springs

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Tucked behind overgrown reeds in Yavapai County, Sheep Bridge Hot Springs is located on the west side of the Verde River and Sheep Bridge. This hidden gem is open all year round and is often a prime attraction for nature lovers.

The Sheep Bridge Hots Springs comprise small tubs lined with river rocks. They contain clear and warm mineral water full of natural minerals. These tubs comfortably fit two to three people, and temperatures are about 37,8°C (100°F).

From the Arizona Veterans Highway (Interstate 17), you can take the Bloody Basin Road offramp, which later becomes FR269, to reach the hot springs. The long drive can be bumpy, and you may find Sheep Bridge crowded with tourists, but luckily the hot springs offer a serene escape. 

13. Gillard Hot Springs

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Gillard Hot Springs is one of the few Arizona hot springs you cannot soak in. With water temperatures coming out of the ground at a staggering 82°C (180°F), these are one of the hottest hot springs in Arizona.

The hot springs also have a high sulphur content, so you’ll have to look, but don’t touch them. And there’s plenty to see! 

Aside from the hot springs gushing out into the Gila River at an insane rate of 400 to 500 gallons per minute, you can admire the canyon walls dotted with beautiful trees.

14. Kaiser Hot Springs

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Kaiser Hot Springs is an untouched and slightly primitive natural pool near Wikieup, Arizona. The water seeps from the ground rocks at about 12 gallons per minute, and the temperature stays nearly constant at a comfortable 37°C to 38°C (99°F – 100°F) all year round.

To reach the Kaiser Hot Springs, you have to hike about 1.5 miles along the riverbed from the Kaiser Hot Spring Parking Lot. The trail is not adequately marked, but the chances of getting lost are quite minuscule.

The Kaiser Hot Springs is where locals love spending their free time. These shallow natural waters are surrounded by stunning Kaiser Canyon walls and boulders, making it a perfect place to unplug and rejuvenate.

Note: The Kaiser Hot Springs are quite underdeveloped and hence have a muddy bottom. Make sure to wear sandals before hopping in to avoid stretches and other injuries.

15. Kachina Mineral Springs

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If you’d like to have somewhat luxurious amenities within reach when soaking in Arizona’s hot springs, Kachina Mineral Springs is the best place to go. 

About an eight-minute drive from Safford, you’ll find a spa offering massages, sweat wraps, reflexology sessions, and plenty of Roman-style mineral tubs to soak in.

The staff here is friendly and attentive, making your experience a relaxing and up-scale one compared to other natural hot springs in Arizona.

16. Essence of Tranquility Hot Springs

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Staying true to its name, the Essence of Tranquility offers a spa, tiny casitas, and hot springs for your ultimate relaxation. If you’re in Safford and looking for a no-frills getaway in town, the Essence of Tranquility has all you need.

You’ll find several naturally-fed mineral water tubs on the property. Each pool is shaped differently (the heart-shaped ones are really cute) and can range between 36,7°C and 40,6°C (98°F – 105°F) in temperature.

17. Gold Strike Hot Springs

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If you’re up for a bit of a day trip, Gold Strike Hot Springs is located along the Nevada-Colorado border. 

Sometimes called the Nevada Hot Springs or the Gold Strike Canyon Hot Springs, lush desert washes and towering mountains surround these hot spring pools. 

These steamy waters have temperatures ranging from 38°C to 41°C (101°F – 106°F), perfect for soaking after a hike or climb.

Hot Springs in Arizona | Wrapped Up

Natural hot springs are often called the world’s first spas. The naturally warm, mineral-rich waters flow from the ground and have wondrous healing and soothing properties — you can’t help but appreciate Mother Nature!

Arizona is home to some of the most beautiful cities in the U.S., and bubbling under these desert towns are incredible hot springs that everyone should explore.

I covered all of the costs involved in writing this article on Hot Springs in Arizona. However, this article does contain affiliate links. That means if you click on some of the links and end up making a purchase I may receive a small commission.