# Ranger Hot Spring, Colorado

Ranger Hot Spring in Colorado. 81°F (27°C). Short Walk. Gunnison County.

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

## Can you soak at Ranger Hot Spring?

The water leaves the ground at 81°F, about as warm as a heated pool. It's a short walk from the road. We haven't confirmed whether it has a pool or charges a fee.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 81°F (27°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 7.4 (Slightly Alkaline) |
| Elevation | 8,640 ft |
| Access | Short Walk, 0.1 mi from the nearest road |
| County | Gunnison County |
| Nearest town | Crested Butte |
| Coordinates | 38.81600, -106.87300 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | ONE MILE, 8.7 mi |

## About Ranger Hot Spring

A warm spring near Crested Butte in Gunnison County, about six and a half miles from town. Ranger Hot Spring reads tepid in the USGS record, despite the word Hot in its name. The 1977 sample shows near-neutral water. Nobody has filed an owner or an access status. Crested Butte would be the base.

The closest road is roughly 500 feet away, short-walk territory in the record. The elevation is high, with seven or eight feet of snow each year and a fairly dry climate otherwise. Average annual temperature is well below what most people call mild. One Mile campground, around nine miles, is the camp on record. The land columns hold nothing.

Winter is the season the record rates highest. Warm if you dip a hand in, too cool for a soak. Check land status before going; the record is silent on it. One Mile campground, nine miles. No fee recorded. The sample was taken in spring 1977, so the chemistry is a single old reading.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1977-04-30 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.4 |
| Calcium | 78 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 22 mg/L |
| Sodium | 65 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 95 mg/L |
| Chloride | 18 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Crested Butte](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/colorado/crested-butte), 3 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Colorado](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado)
- [Cement Creek Hot Spring, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/cement-creek-hot-spring): 77°F source, pH 7.2, Short Walk, near Crested Butte, Gunnison County
- [Conundrum Hot Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/conundrum-hot-springs): 100°F source, TDS 1,910 mg/L, Hike, near Crested Butte, Gunnison County, primitive pools, pools 100–102°F, parking or permit fee, jul-sep
- [Lower Waunita Hot Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/lower-waunita-hot-springs): 167°F source, pH 7.7, Roadside, near Gunnison, Gunnison County
- [Upper Waunita Hot Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/upper-waunita-hot-springs): 176°F source, pH 7.9, Roadside, near Gunnison, Gunnison County, developed pools, pools 95–104°F
- [Penny Hot Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/penny-hot-springs): 133°F source, pH 7.4, Short Walk, near Carbondale, Garfield County, primitive pools, free, 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

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Ranger Hot Spring?**
Ranger Hot Spring has a water temperature of 81°F (27°C). This is a warm thermal spring.

**Where is Ranger Hot Spring located?**
Ranger Hot Spring is located in Gunnison County, Colorado at 8,640 feet elevation, near Crested Butte. Coordinates: 38.8160°N, 106.8730°W.

**How do I get to Ranger Hot Spring?**
Ranger Hot Spring has Short Walk road access (0.1 mi from the road).

**Can I camp near Ranger Hot Spring?**
Yes, One Mile is located nearby (8.7 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Ranger Hot Spring?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.4 (slightly alkaline).

## Sources

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