# Rainbow Hot Springs, Colorado

Rainbow Hot Springs in Colorado. 104°F (40°C). Hike · Public Land. Archuleta County.

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

## Can you soak at Rainbow Hot Springs?

Yes. Rainbow Hot Springs has natural, undeveloped pools that run from 95 to 105°F. Soaking is free. Reaching it takes a hike.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 104°F (40°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 9,037 ft |
| Access | Hike · Public Land, 3.6 mi from the nearest road |
| Land | San Juan National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Archuleta County |
| Nearest town | Pagosa Springs |
| Coordinates | 37.51100, -106.94500 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | WEST FORK CAMPGROUND, 5.1 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Primitive pools |
| Cost | Free. day use free per guide; overnight camping needs Weminuche Wilderness compliance |
| Reservations | Not needed |
| Pool temperature | 95–105°F |
| Getting there | about 5 mi one way (sources say 5-7), roughly 1000 ft gain, FS trail 561 from West Fork trailhead |
| In winter | snow; winter visits for prepared only |
| Operator | US Forest Service, San Juan National Forest, https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/sanjuan/recreation/west-fork-trailhead |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://www.findinghotsprings.com/mag/rainbow-hot-springs, https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/sanjuan/recreation/west-fork-trailhead

## About Rainbow Hot Springs

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.

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.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Creede](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/colorado/creede), 17 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Colorado](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado)
- [Birdsie Warm Spring, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/birdsie-warm-spring): 86°F source, pH 8.6, Roadside, near Creede, Mineral County
- [Antelope Spring, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/antelope-spring-2): 90°F source, Roadside, near Creede, Mineral 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
- [Wagon Wheel Gap Hot Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/wagon-wheel-gap-hot-springs): 135°F source, Roadside, near Creede, Mineral County, private, no public access, overnight guests only, jun-oct
- [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
- [Hotz Spring, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/hotz-spring): Short Walk, near Pagosa Springs, Archuleta County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Rainbow Hot Springs?**
Rainbow Hot Springs has a water temperature of 104°F (40°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Rainbow Hot Springs located?**
Rainbow Hot Springs is located in Archuleta County, Colorado at 9,037 feet elevation, near Pagosa Springs. Coordinates: 37.5110°N, 106.9450°W.

**How do I get to Rainbow Hot Springs?**
Rainbow Hot Springs has Hike road access (3.6 mi from the road).

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

**Can I camp near Rainbow Hot Springs?**
Yes, West Fork Campground is located nearby (5.1 miles away).

## Sources

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