# Piedra River Hot Springs, Colorado

Piedra River Hot Springs in Colorado. 108°F (42°C). Short Walk · Public Land. La Plata County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/piedra-river-hot-springs-1
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Piedra River Hot Springs?

Yes. Piedra River Hot Springs has natural, undeveloped pools that run from 95 to 105°F. Soaking is free. It's a short walk from the road.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 108°F (42°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 6,881 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.3 mi from the nearest road (First Fork Road) |
| Land | San Juan National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | La Plata County |
| Nearest town | Bayfield |
| Coordinates | 37.31300, -107.34400 |
| Best months to soak | January, December, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Ute Campground (CO), 7.8 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Primitive pools |
| Cost | Free |
| Reservations | Not needed |
| Pool temperature | 95–105°F |
| Getting there | about 1.5 mi one way per one guide (2.8 mi round trip per another), river crossing; trailhead ~17 mi up Piedra Rd (CR 166) |
| In winter | lower trailhead gate closed in winter; upper trailhead reachable by road year-round |
| Operator | US Forest Service, San Juan National Forest |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://www.findinghotsprings.com/mag/piedra-river-hot-springs, https://thisispagosa.com/trails/piedra-river-hot-springs/, https://www.durangotelegraph.com/second-section/day-in-the-life/the-hot-spot-taking-the-edge-off-at-the-piedra-hot-springs/

## About Piedra River Hot Springs

Piedra River Hot Springs sits on San Juan National Forest land in La Plata County, about fifteen miles from Bayfield. Public access is open; the US Forest Service owns the ground. The temperature on file is a comfortable soaking warmth, a few degrees above a hot bath. No fee is on record, and there is no water chemistry in the record.

From First Fork Road the walk in runs roughly a third of a mile. National forest land with no special designation beyond that. Elevation stays under seven thousand feet. Each winter brings snow in quantity, roughly eighty inches, and precipitation over the year is middling. Ute Campground sits around eight miles away and is the nearest camping.

Winter months are listed as best. Getting in means a short walk on open national forest land, with no fee recorded. Temperature is comfortable, below the point where caution is needed. Nothing on file about water chemistry, so you are going on the temperature alone. Check road conditions on First Fork Road in snow season.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Bayfield](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/colorado/bayfield), 0 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Colorado](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado)
- [Piedra River Hot Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/piedra-river-hot-springs-2): Short Walk, near Bayfield, La Plata County
- [Hotz Spring, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/hotz-spring): Short Walk, near Pagosa Springs, Archuleta County
- [Pagosa Hot Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/pagosa-hot-springs): pH 7.7, TDS 2,860 mg/L, Roadside, near Pagosa Springs, Archuleta County, developed pools, $74 day pass, year-round
- [Pagosa Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/pagosa-springs): 136°F source, pH 6.5, Short Walk, near Pagosa Springs, Archuleta County, developed pools, $74 day pass, year-round
- [Rainbow Hot Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/rainbow-hot-springs): 104°F source, Hike, near Pagosa Springs, Archuleta County, primitive pools, pools 95–105°F, free
- [Pinkerton Hot Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/pinkerton-hot-springs-2): pH 6.4, Roadside, near Durango, La Plata County, not a soaking spring, free

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Piedra River Hot Springs?**
Piedra River Hot Springs has a water temperature of 108°F (42°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Piedra River Hot Springs located?**
Piedra River Hot Springs is located in La Plata County, Colorado at 6,881 feet elevation, near Bayfield. Coordinates: 37.3130°N, 107.3440°W.

**How do I get to Piedra River Hot Springs?**
Piedra River Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being First Fork Road (0.3 mi from the road).

**Is Piedra River Hot Springs free to visit?**
Piedra River Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.

**Can I camp near Piedra River Hot Springs?**
Yes, Ute Campground (Co) is located nearby (7.8 miles away).

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals