# Poncha Hot Springs, Colorado

Poncha Hot Springs in Colorado. 160°F (71°C). Roadside. Chaffee County.

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

## Can you soak at Poncha Hot Springs?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 160°F, hot enough to burn skin. You can drive right up to it.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 160°F (71°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Total dissolved solids | 673 mg/L |
| Elevation | 7,877 ft |
| Access | Roadside, 8 ft from the nearest road |
| County | Chaffee County |
| Nearest town | Salida |
| Coordinates | 38.49800, -106.07600 |
| Best months to soak | January, December, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | OHAVER LAKE, 6.0 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 160°F, the source water at Poncha Hot Springs is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

## About Poncha Hot Springs

Poncha Hot Springs, Chaffee County, about five miles from Salida. The source reads scalding. A 1974 sample shows moderately mineralized water, and the USGS has carried this as a thermal site since at least then. the record is empty, access likewise, and OpenStreetMap has no name for the point. Salida is the obvious base and it is close.

The road is eight feet away, about as roadside as it gets. Elevation is high valley, a shade under eight thousand feet. Snow is moderate for the mountains, a little over four feet, and the climate is dry. O'Haver Lake campground is six miles off. No managing agency is named.

the season on record says winter. Keep hands out of the source water; it burns. With access unknown, ask around about who controls the ground before you visit. Camping at O'Haver Lake campground, six miles. The chemistry sample is fifty years old. The temperature reading alone should rule out any casual dip at the source.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1974-09-23 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Total dissolved solids | 673 mg/L |
| Calcium | 16 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 1.1 mg/L |
| Sodium | 200 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 190 mg/L |
| Chloride | 51 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), 16 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Colorado](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado)
- [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
- [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
- [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
- [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
- [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
- [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

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Poncha Hot Springs?**
Poncha Hot Springs has a water temperature of 160°F (71°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Poncha Hot Springs located?**
Poncha Hot Springs is located in Chaffee County, Colorado at 7,877 feet elevation, near Salida. Coordinates: 38.4980°N, 106.0760°W.

**How do I get to Poncha Hot Springs?**
Poncha Hot Springs has Roadside road access (8 ft from the road).

**Can I camp near Poncha Hot Springs?**
Yes, Ohaver Lake is located nearby (6.0 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Poncha Hot Springs?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. Total dissolved solids measure 673 mg/L.

**Is it safe to soak at Poncha Hot Springs?**
No, not at the source. The water at Poncha Hot Springs reaches 160°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.

## Sources

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