# Desert Reef Hot Spring, Colorado

Desert Reef Hot Spring in Colorado. Roadside. Fremont County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/desert-reef-hot-spring
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Desert Reef Hot Spring?

Yes. Desert Reef Hot Spring is a developed hot spring with pools from 94 to 102°F. It sells day passes. Reservations are required.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | Unknown (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 6.3 (Slightly Acidic) |
| Access | Roadside, 218 ft from the nearest road (County Road 110) |
| County | Fremont County |
| Nearest town | Penrose |
| Coordinates | 38.37150, -105.04330 |
| Nearest campground | MINGUS RANCH, 19.6 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Developed pools |
| Cost | Day pass. Adult price not on soak page; book online. Closed to day guests Tuesdays |
| Hours | Mon, Thu-Sun 10am-9:30pm; Wed members 10am-4pm then all 4-9:30pm; Tue closed to day guests |
| Season | Year-round |
| Reservations | Required |
| Pool temperature | 94–102°F |
| Clothing | Clothing rules vary |
| Getting there | roadside, near Florence |
| Operator | Desert Reef Hot Spring, https://desertreefhotspring.com/soak |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://desertreefhotspring.com/soak, https://www.coloradocentralmagazine.com/?p=22643

## About Desert Reef Hot Spring

Desert Reef Hot Spring is in Fremont County, Colorado, four-odd miles from Penrose. The record has no temperature for it, so the heat of the water is unknown here; do not take the name as proof you can soak. USGS records include a 1975 sample that came back mildly acidic, iron among the minerals. The file is blank on public access and on who owns the land.

County Road 110 lies a couple hundred feet off, so this is a roadside location. No elevation is recorded. Snow comes to a bit more than two feet over a winter, and rain is light; the yearly mean lands in the low fifties. Nobody has entered a land unit or owner.

no season is on record. Roadside. Mingus Ranch, nearly twenty miles away, is the closest campground listed. No fee recorded. Chemistry: 1975. With no temperature and no access status, treat this as a map point to investigate, and check ownership before you go.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1975-09-30 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 6.3 |
| Calcium | 180 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 78 mg/L |
| Sodium | 270 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 210 mg/L |
| Chloride | 98 mg/L |
| Iron | 600 µg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Cañon City](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/colorado/canon-city-fremont), 11 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Colorado](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado)
- [Dakota Hot Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/dakota-hot-springs): Roadside, near Penrose, Fremont County, developed pools, pools 95–98°F, $21.20 day pass, year-round
- [Canon City Hot Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/canon-city-hot-springs): 104°F source, pH 6.2, Roadside, near Canon City, Fremont County
- [Valley View Hot Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/valley-view-hot-springs): 99°F source, Roadside, near Saguache, Saguache County, developed pools, $20 day pass, year-round
- [Swissvale Warm Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/swissvale-warm-springs): 82°F source, pH 7.0, Roadside, near Salida, Chaffee County
- [Wellsville Warm Spring, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/wellsville-warm-spring): 91°F source, TDS 470 mg/L, Short Walk, near Salida, Chaffee County
- [Mineral Hot Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/mineral-hot-springs): 140°F source, pH 7.3, Roadside, near Saguache, Saguache County, developed pools, pools 98–108°F, $18 day pass, year-round

## Questions

**Where is Desert Reef Hot Spring located?**
Desert Reef Hot Spring is located in Fremont County, Colorado, near Penrose. Coordinates: 38.3715°N, 105.0433°W.

**How do I get to Desert Reef Hot Spring?**
Desert Reef Hot Spring has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being County Road 110 (218 ft from the road).

**Can I camp near Desert Reef Hot Spring?**
Yes, Mingus Ranch is located nearby (19.6 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Desert Reef Hot Spring?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 6.3 (slightly acidic).

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Reef_Hot_Spring