Rhodes Warm Spring
Rhodes Warm Spring emerges at 75°F at 10,172 feet elevation in the high mountain country of Park County near Fairplay, offering a 42.8°F temperature boost above the frigid alpine conditions typical of this region.
The spring sits just 109 meters from Warm Springs Road through terrain dominated by stunted subalpine spruce and fir forest. The landscape reaches near-timberline conditions with scattered willows and alpine tundra vegetation. The surrounding meadows and mountainous terrain create an isolated alpine setting with expansive views across the South Park basin.
This thermal feature sits in terrain rich in Colorado mining history, with Fairplay nearby representing a surviving mining town from the 1800s. The modest water temperatures and low mineralization suggest shallow circulation through granitic bedrock. The spring name reflects its distinctive thermal characteristics within an otherwise frigid alpine environment.
Easy access requires just a short walk from Warm Springs Road parking areas. Horseshoe Campground lies 2.9 miles away in San Isabel National Forest, featuring tree-sheltered sites near Horseshoe Creek. The Limber Grove Trail nearby showcases 1,000-year-old limber pines. Summer through early autumn offers the most comfortable conditions, as winter snows average 81 inches annually.
Is Rhodes Warm Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Overnight camping trips
The water at Rhodes Warm Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.5).
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Overview Horseshoe Campground sits along its namesake creek near a grassy meadow among aspen, Engelmann spruce and Bristlecone pines in the San Isabel National Forest. Trees provide good privacy between campsites, which are located at the base of Sheep Mountain. Recreation Visitors enjoy the Limber Grove Trail, a 3-mile mountainside path that winds through 1,000-year-old limber pine with gigantic twisted trunks. Fishing or wading in Horseshoe Creek are also popular pastimes. Facilities The ca...