This time of year, the weather is still quite chilly. In some of the northernmost states, the ground is still covered with snow, trees have yet to regrow their leaves, and the grass forms a uniform brown carpet covering the ground. Further south the weather is warmer, but unless you live in one of the southernmost states, chances are the weather is still quite crisp.
For those of you who are looking for a fun and relaxing way to escape these last reluctant vestiges of winter, you might just find what you’re looking for at the hot springs! Not all hot springs are suitable for swimming and bathing, but those that are make for one of the best ways to enjoy a chilly early spring day. What’s more, there are quite a few beautiful hot springs in the USA!
If you’re in the market for a waterfront home, why not consider buying one on the banks of one of the many thermal pools in the US? If you want a place to swim but don’t want to deal with the hassles of an indoor pool, a thermal pool right outside your back door is just as good!
In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best hot springs in the country, as well as some of the science behind a hot spring. Last but not least, we'll also be sharing some important safety tips to observe when visiting the hot springs with your children. Without further ado, let’s get into it!
How are hot springs formed?
The science behind how hot springs form is fascinating. While there are several ways hot springs form, the most common are associated with volcanic activity. When the earth’s tectonic plates shift, they leave gaping cracks and fissures deep below the surface of the earth. As the water table rises and falls following rainfall and drought, water is either pushed deeper into these fissures or forced out by the higher pressure found deeper below the surface.
In certain areas, this excess water (which has been heated up by the high temperatures of the magma and rock it came in contact with below the surface) is forced out through cracks in the surface, forming hot springs! Throughout history, humans have made use of these pools, using them to bathe during the winter months and even heating their homes with the hot water!
Natural hot springs in the USA
As it covers such a vast area which is home to such a wide variety of topographical landscapes, it makes sense that you can find plenty of natural hot springs in the USA. Of these hot springs, some are safe to swim in, and some are best seen from a distance; let’s take a look at some of the former!
Here are a few of the most popular hot springs in the US
- Travertine hot springs, CA
- Fifth water hot springs, UT
- Mount Princeton hot springs, CO
- Chena hot springs, AK
- Quapaw hot springs, AR
Mount Princeton hot springs, CO
In the rugged mountain ranges of the centennial state, nature’s hot springs have been harnessed to provide the very best hot spring experience money can buy. At the Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort in Nathrop Colorado, you’ll find a rustic but elegant vacation experience complete with luxurious accommodations, decadent dining and relaxing hot spring pools. It’s truly a once in a lifetime experience!
Travertine hot springs, CA
If you prefer your hot spring vacations with a side of self-reliance, why not skip the resort and make your vacation a camping trip? At the Travertine Hot Springs in California, you can find all the makings for an adventurous, fun filled hot springs getaway. Whatever your interests and plans, you can rest assured that, once you’ve spent a day frolicking in nature, you can return to a nice, relaxing thermal pool, and just soak and look at the stars.
Chena hot springs, AK
At the Chena hot springs resort in Alaska, you can take your hot springs vacation to the next level. In the frigid temperatures of the Alaskan winter, you can relax in bubbling thermal pools under the majestic glow of the northern lights. What’s more, the resort is luxurious and well equipped, providing you with the ultimate hot springs experience.
Imagine it; the weather is a chilly five degrees below zero, but the sky is clear and the majestic colors of the aurora borealis endlessly, nebulously shifting above the wintery landscape. Beneath this spellbinding spectacle, one can relax and unwind in the warm, soothing embrace of one of these thermal pools. With all this going for it, is it any wonder that this is one of the best places to buy a vacation home in the world?
Hot spring safety tips for families
Like any other body of water, hot springs can pose a serious drowning hazard to young children who cannot swim, as well as those with certain physical or special needs. Fortunately, the safety tips you’ll need to observe are simple, and as long as you follow them responsibly, your vacation will go swimmingly (pun fully intended).
Safety Tips:
- Never let your kids out of your sight while they’re in the water. A second of inattention is all it takes for a little one to slip under the surface, and by the time you find them, it might be too late.
- Always equip your kids with flotation devices (water wings, pool rings, etc.). While this is not a substitute for supervision, these flotation devices will help keep your kid’s head above water in an emergency.
- Find a hot spring with a trained, on-duty lifeguard. For maximum safety, the best option is to find a hot spring with an on-duty lifeguard, who is trained to quickly and efficiently save swimmers from drowning.
- Always have dry towels ready for when you get out of the water. There is more to hot-spring safety than just drowning prevention; you’ll also need to make sure you have dry towels on hand so your little ones don’t get sick when getting out of the water.
Conclusion
We hope we’ve gotten you warmed up to the idea of visiting your nearest hot spring and experiencing one of nature’s most relaxing activities for yourself. If you enjoyed this article share it with your friends, if you have something we should add, let us know in the comments below!
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