# Shaw Springs, Colorado

Shaw Springs in Colorado. 86°F (30°C). Short Walk. Rio Grande County.

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

## Can you soak at Shaw Springs?

The water leaves the ground at 86°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 | 86°F (30°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 8.9 (Alkaline) |
| Elevation | 7,971 ft |
| Access | Short Walk, 0.1 mi from the nearest road |
| County | Rio Grande County |
| Nearest town | Del Norte |
| Coordinates | 37.75100, -106.31700 |
| Best months to soak | January, December, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Penitente Canyon Campground, 6.6 mi |

## About Shaw Springs

Five miles or so from Del Norte, the nearest town in the record, Shaw Springs is a warm spring in Rio Grande County. The water is tepid, short of a proper soak. Its 1976 sample stands out for strongly alkaline water. There is a photo on file. Owner and access columns: blank.

About 0.1 mi from the road, short-walk distance. Dry country: precipitation barely reaches a foot a year and snow stays under three feet. Elevation is high valley. Del Norte is the base. Penitente Canyon Campground, seven miles off, is the camp in the record. No land unit appears, and no owner.

Best months, by the record: the winter ones. Think bathwater that has sat a while. No land owner or access status is recorded; check before you go. Penitente Canyon Campground, seven miles. The alkaline reading is from 1976. No fee is recorded, and OSM carries no label for it.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1976-04-21 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 8.9 |
| Calcium | 0.9 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 0.1 mg/L |
| Sodium | 130 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 46 mg/L |
| Chloride | 7 mg/L |
| Iron | 20 µg/L |

Records this spring holds:
- Most alkaline of Colorado's 42 springs with a pH reading: pH 8.9
- Softest water of Colorado's 48 springs with calcium and magnesium readings: 2.7 mg/L

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Del Norte](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/colorado/del-norte), 0 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Colorado](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado)
- [Sand Dunes Pool, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/sand-dunes-pool): Roadside, near Center, Saguache County, developed pools, pools 98–102°F, $18 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
- [Splashland Hot Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/splashland-hot-springs): pH 8.3, Roadside, near Alamosa East, Alamosa County, developed pools, pools 88–96°F, day pass, late may-mid sep
- [Mineral Hot Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/mineral-hot-springs): 140°F source, pH 7.3, Roadside, near Saguache, Saguache County, developed pools, pools 98–108°F, $18 day pass, year-round
- [Rainbow Hot Springs, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/rainbow-hot-springs): 104°F source, Hike, near Pagosa Springs, Archuleta County, primitive pools, pools 95–105°F, free
- [Antelope Spring, CO](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/colorado/antelope-spring-2): 90°F source, Roadside, near Creede, Mineral County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Shaw Springs?**
Shaw Springs has a water temperature of 86°F (30°C). This is a warm thermal spring.

**Where is Shaw Springs located?**
Shaw Springs is located in Rio Grande County, Colorado at 7,971 feet elevation, near Del Norte. Coordinates: 37.7510°N, 106.3170°W.

**How do I get to Shaw Springs?**
Shaw Springs has Short Walk road access (0.1 mi from the road).

**Can I camp near Shaw Springs?**
Yes, Penitente Canyon Campground is located nearby (6.6 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Shaw Springs?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 8.9 (alkaline).

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals