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Rainbow Hot Springs

Archuleta County, Colorado · Near Pagosa Springs

37.5110°N, 106.9450°W · 9,037 ft

104°F 46°F air · Good soaking weather 9,037 ft Open Hike US Forest Service Camping nearby (5.1 mi)

Researched & maintained by Armen Suny · Updated August 2026

A hike-in soak in San Juan National Forest: that is Rainbow Hot Springs, Archuleta County, roughly seventeen miles from Pagosa Springs. The temperature reading is in the soaking range, a few degrees above body heat. The Forest Service owns the ground and access is open. The Wikipedia page attached is filed under Hot Springs in Mineral County.

Location

17 miles from Creede, CO

Get Directions → All springs near Creede →

The nearest road lies three and a half miles away, and the record classes the approach as a hike. This is high country and the snowfall is huge, twelve feet in an average year, with a wet climate. West Fork Campground, give or take five miles, is the listed camp. Designation: national forest.

The season data ranks winter highest, which at this elevation and snowfall means a serious snow approach. Open access, no fee recorded. Camping at West Fork Campground, five miles off. No chemistry has been logged. The temperature makes it comfortable to sit in once you reach it.

Monthly Climate

18°

Jan

20°

Feb

28°

Mar

33°

Apr

40°

May

53°

Jun

58°

Jul

56°

Aug

50°

Sep

39°

Oct

25°

Nov

17°

Dec

Annual Precip: 31.2 in Annual Snow: 144.1 in

Best Time to Visit

December Air 17°F · Water 104°F · +87° contrast

January Air 18°F · Water 104°F · +86° contrast

February Air 20°F · Water 104°F · +84° contrast

December offers 41°F more contrast than July

Current Conditions

46°F

Clear WSW 29.0 mph 76% Good soaking weather

Sunday 74° Low 47° Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 35% precip

Spring is +30° warmer

Monday 68° Low 48° Showers And Thunderstorms 79% precip

Spring is +36° warmer

Tuesday 67° Low 46° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 65% precip

Spring is +37° warmer

Wednesday 66° Low 45° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 74% precip

Spring is +38° warmer

Thursday 64° Low 46° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 71% precip

Spring is +40° warmer

Data from National Weather Service

Nearby Camping

West Fork Campground 5.1 mi away

Overview West Fork Campground sits near the West Fork San Juan River in a secluded 10-acre area, just over a mile from Highway 160. Visitors enjoy the area for its hiking opportunities and plentiful solitude.Recreation The West Fork and nearby Wolf Creek offer fishing opportunities, but are heavily fished streams. Only skilled and patient fishermen have much luck in these waters. The West Fork Trail, also known as the Rainbow Trail, leads into the Weminuche Wilderness from a trailhead a mile...

Reservable Yes

Reserve on Recreation.gov →

High Altitude Advisory 9,037 ft

At 9,037 feet, Rainbow Hot Springs is in high-altitude territory where the air is noticeably thinner. Soaking in hot water accelerates dehydration and can amplify altitude effects like headache and fatigue. UV radiation is roughly 36% stronger here. Wear sunscreen even on overcast days and take breaks from the water to rehydrate.