Sprite’s Review of Hot Pots
hot pots - noun. natural geothermal pools
A classic example of a hot pot NOT to soak in. 📸 by author in Yellowstone NP, July 23, 2023
We humans are drawn to healing waters. Deep dive into the true and mythological history of soaking in hot pots across cultures and eons to discover the great lengths humans have engaged in simply for the opportunity to soak within mystical, enriching waters. In addition to myths and legends, many religions or spiritual practices include the use of hot springs. The minerals found in the waters are known to be useful for your health and beauty, errrrr I mean wellness. So why not entertain the extra trek, pit stop, or create a whole itinerary revolving around soaking in these precious pools?!
Soaking in hot pots in the winter with snow lightly falling is quite a magical experience. If you’re lucky enough to live in the Mountain West, you have a plethora of areas to choose from. Personally, whether I only have an hour to spare while traveling through an area with a known hot spring along the route or I plan a weekend just for soaking with friends, I always prioritize this pastime. I know some folks who hike to hot pots and that is something I would like to attempt someday. For now, I’ll simply enjoy the easiest targets.
Which are my faves? Well, I will conveniently list all the hot pots I’ve experienced in order of preference rather than appearance in my life. Then, my review of the top five will follow. If you you have some you like that I missed, please share!
Lava Hot Springs, ID
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Norris Hot Springs, MT
Sol Duc Hot Springs, WA
Green Canyon Hot springs, ID
crystal Hot Springs, Ut
Ouray Hot Springs, CO
Chico Hot Springs, MT
I swear I missed some…
Lava Hot Springs, IDaho
Image by Alex Silgalis on localfreshies.com
Dani, Clybe, and LK enjoy a winter soak
How to put into words my fave locale? Lava (pronounce the av like you do in avenue not like you do in how to sing notes by Maria in The Sound of Music) is a tiny town with a big vibe. There’s more to experience than the hot pots even though they are financially keeping the town afloat (I always intend the puns I create ;-). Great food, great shopping, great outdoor rec opportunities, square ice cream, what’s not to love?!
I’ll be honest, I’m withholding a multitude of stories here. I’ll add them to my drafts so they make it your way someday. Although, maybe not since they kind of aren’t my story to share. I just played my part. That’s cryptic. So is Lava. I’m telling you, you’ve gotta get there!
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Image by kimkim and found with their article The Best Hot Springs Experiences in Iceland
I know, I know. You’re wondering how on earth this didn’t make #1. The drawback is how overwhelmingly huge this resort is and how that affects you. It’s supposed to be a relaxing experience but there’s simply too much to figure out—how to work the lockers, how not to get lost, how to re-find your friends/family/SO, how to experience it all without feeling overtaxed—that you end up feeling more overwhelmed than relaxed. Once you get over those humps though and simply soak, it is a wild experience to soak in Iceland with such beautiful views and wow, you are in ICELAND!
The layout of the lagoon is mesmerizing and there are many opportunities to deepen your experience, such as massages while floating in one of the pools, mud to smear on your face to improve your skin, and healthy meals in the cafe. Overall, the once-in-a-lifetime bucket list item is worth the hassle.
Norris Hot Springs, MonTana
Image by Norris Hot Springs
Ok, prepare yourself for a caveat with this one. Ready?! Sigh. This spot is rustic. Quaint, yes. But very rustic. Read: port-o-potties. They do provide food (VERY pricey though) and campsites (I keep aiming to break up my trip since this is the halfway spot but I have yet to do so). Along with the lack of bathrooms, there is no cell service. And it’s always best to catch this pool first thing in the morn since it gets slimy as the day progresses.
With all of that in mind, how could this make it into my top five? Errr umm, top three?!? Well, because it is rustic, lacks cell service, and oh my, I forgot to mention the views!! The birds, the wildflowers, the hillside it looks over. The Water of the Gods, as Norris Hot Springs is referred to, certainly feels like an appropriate nomenclature when you have it to yourself at opening. Peaceful. Healing. Natural.
Sol Duc Hot Springs, Olympic NP
Image by TripAdvisor
After a hike to Sol Duc Falls with Tanya, then through the forest admiring mushrooms one chilly, frosty October morning, we soaked all afternoon in Sol Doc Hot Springs. So forgive me my nostalgia, this one means a bit more for the company I enjoyed along with the soak. That day specified splendor in so many ways. Tanya is a sweetheart to make the extra drive out to BFE in order to join me for adventuring, not just for this excursion but the countless others.
This particular trip along the peninsula was no exception to the magic we find while exploring. We watched a family of sea otters bathe after breakfast, stood in awe of sunrises and sunsets at the tip of the upper left, and laughed along the 101 to Olympic National Park and back. Now, I’m thinking it’s time to make a trip back out there!
Green Canyon Hot springs, IDaho
Image by Rexburg Online on their Green Canyon Hot Springs page
Green Canyon may be an oddity and a bit outdated but I promise, it’s worth the time. A hidden gem. If you catch it just right, a day when no one else is around, you really win the jackpot. Things have changed a bit since the picture above was taken; there is no roof and the plants must not have survived the harsh winters without it. However, that equals gorgeous sunset and starlight views making this an even better find.
If you find yourself rolling into Teton Valley, take the extra side quest. I always wanted to go snowshoeing in the canyon before a soak and maybe someday soon I’ll get that chance. I hope you will find that kind of time for yourself too. There also happens to be a huge indoor pool that swim teams utilize so don’t feel relegated to the outdoors. And for those of you that enjoy torturing yourself with cold plunges, there is a teeny tiny cold pool in the corner. Outside. You are weird. Cold water is the opposite of what I need for my mental health but you do you.
One more interesting tidbit about Green Canyon: the local gossip. If you do find yourself amidst an unexpectedly busy day at these hot pots, you just may overhear something good. It’s impossible not to be enthralled. It’s ok to be indulgent. That just may be why this hit my top five list. wink wink
Dani and Sprite take a break from the heat of hot pots
Where am I interested in trying next? Elkhorn Hot Springs southwest of Dillon, MT. Anyone interested in joining me there? Let’s do it! Ok but also Thermopolis, Wyo! There are too many others I hope to experience as well and here’s to us making it happen.
I’ll leave you with some web links for finding and testing them out here in the West: