# Mount Princeton Hot Springs, Colorado

Mount Princeton Hot Springs in Colorado. 133°F (56°C). Roadside. Chaffee County.

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

## Can you soak at Mount Princeton Hot Springs?

Yes. Mount Princeton Hot Springs is a developed hot spring with pools from 82 to 99°F. A day pass costs $40 as of October 2026.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 133°F (56°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 7.7 (Slightly Alkaline) |
| Elevation | 8,142 ft |
| Access | Roadside, 138 ft from the nearest road |
| County | Chaffee County |
| Nearest town | Buena Vista |
| Coordinates | 38.73300, -106.16200 |
| Best months to soak | January, December, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | MOUNT PRINCETON, 3.5 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Developed pools |
| Cost | $40 day pass. Weekend $45 (June 2026 Denver Gazette; official rates are an image); adults 16+, kids 4-15, seniors 62+, under 3 free; slides extra |
| Hours | 9am-9pm daily |
| Season | Year-round |
| Reservations | Not needed |
| Pool temperature | 82–99°F |
| Getting there | 15870 CR 162, Nathrop, Chalk Creek valley |
| Operator | Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, https://mtprinceton.com/rates |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://www.mtprinceton.com/, https://mtprinceton.com/rates, https://www.denvergazette.com/2026/06/03/find-700-foot-long-water-slides-with-a-mountain-view-at-colorado-hot-spring-resort/

## About Mount Princeton Hot Springs

Mount Princeton Hot Springs comes out of the ground hot, past the point where most people would want to sit in it straight from the source. It lies in Chaffee County about seven miles from Buena Vista, high enough that the air stays cool for much of the year. OpenStreetMap marks a fee at this location, so plan on paying to get in. Landowner and public access status are both blank on file.

The spring is effectively at the roadside, under fifty yards off the road, with no walk to speak of. High country, cold annual average. Winters drop a bit over five feet of snow, while the low yearly precipitation says the place runs dry once the melt is gone. Mount Princeton Campground is three and a half miles away, the closest camp in the record.

December through February are what the record lists as best, which makes this a winter soak, snow included. Access is roadside, so there is no hiking involved. A fee applies. The water arrives hot; check it before settling in. Chemistry was sampled in 1976 and nothing newer is on file. Ownership and access are unrecorded, so confirm with whoever operates the site before you go.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1976-07-28 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.7 |
| Calcium | 10 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 8 mg/L |
| Sodium | 58 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 64 mg/L |
| Chloride | 5.2 mg/L |
| Iron | 40 µg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Buena Vista](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/colorado/buena-vista), 1 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Colorado](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado)
- [Hortense Hot Spring, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/hortense-hot-spring): 181°F source, Short Walk, near Buena Vista, Chaffee County
- [Aqua Hot Spring, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/aqua-hot-spring): TDS 143 mg/L, Roadside, near Buena Vista, Chaffee County, private, no public access, pools 101–108°F, overnight guests only, year-round
- [Cottonwood Hot Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/cottonwood-hot-springs): 136°F source, pH 8.5, Roadside, near Buena Vista, Chaffee County, developed pools, $45 day pass, year-round
- [Browns Canyon Warm Spring, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/browns-canyon-warm-spring): 77°F source, pH 8.0, Roadside, near Salida, Chaffee County
- [Browns Grotto Warm Spring, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/browns-grotto-warm-spring): 73°F source, pH 8.0, Short Walk, near Salida, Chaffee County
- [Salida Hot Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/salida-hot-springs): pH 7.4, Roadside, near Salida, Chaffee County, developed pools, $17 day pass, year-round

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Mount Princeton Hot Springs?**
Mount Princeton Hot Springs has a water temperature of 133°F (56°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Mount Princeton Hot Springs located?**
Mount Princeton Hot Springs is located in Chaffee County, Colorado at 8,142 feet elevation, near Buena Vista. Coordinates: 38.7330°N, 106.1620°W.

**How do I get to Mount Princeton Hot Springs?**
Mount Princeton Hot Springs has Roadside road access (138 ft from the road).

**Is Mount Princeton Hot Springs free to visit?**
Mount Princeton Hot Springs charges a fee for entry.

**Can I camp near Mount Princeton Hot Springs?**
Yes, Mount Princeton is located nearby (3.5 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Mount Princeton Hot Springs?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 7.7 (slightly alkaline).

**Is it safe to soak at Mount Princeton Hot Springs?**
With care. At 133°F Mount Princeton Hot Springs is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.

## Sources

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