Hot Springs in the Cold Months

Kari Sutton

Valley View Hot Springs.

There’s just something magical about looking out over a snowy landscape while you’re toasty warm in 103-degree water. Tucked in the San Luis Valley, the springs are a part of the Orient Land Trust (OLT), whose primary mission is to create and maintain a safe, natural environment for folks of all ages. What does that mean for you? You can throw your clothes off and have a soak in some of the most gorgeous springs around.

The property has purposefully been left rustic. The water is crystal clear, but you can expect to be sitting on rocks and algae in the springs. There are a few ponds right off the parking area, and a few more you can reach with a short and easy hike. If you’re feeling a bit more ambitious, a quarter-mile uphill hike will take you to three pools, affectionately known as the top ponds, overlooking the valley. The view from the top ponds is worth the effort, and the distance means you probably won’t be sharing them with as many other visitors.

Overnighters are welcome to the entire property through the wee hours. Bring a headlamp if the moon won’t be out — the land is largely free of artificial lighting. On clear nights when the moon is full, it’s easy enough to navigate the trails even without a flashlight. Bring a robe or it’ll be a long, miserable walk back to your cabin when the cold air hits your wet skin.

Between soaks, you can explore the web of trails around the hot springs. To the north, an easy trail will take you to the ghostly remnants of the Orient Mine. Keep following the trail up the mountain to reach the Glory Hole. (Yes, you read that right.) But it’s a fair bit more grisly than risqué. The Glory Hole is the massive cave on the side of the mountain that was left by a collapsed mining tunnel.

More hiking trails spread out over the area if you venture into the nearby National Forest. The dunes of Great Sand Dune National Park are about a half hour south. It’s worth the trip if you’ve never been to sand dunes before, although you can only run up and down them so many times before it stops being entertaining.

Tent camping is available year round, with heated cabins as a cozier option in the winter. All of the cabins have shared bathrooms. Most of the cabins have shared kitchens, although a few offer private kitchenettes. Members are able to reserve cabins in advance. They tend to book up, so springing for a membership is prudent if you want to ensure you’ll have a warm bed to snuggle into after an evening of soaking. Many of the cabins have enough space for anywhere from 4 – 8 people. Grab a couple friends for the weekend and head out for a getaway.

If you’d rather just make a quick visit, day passes are also an option. The area is littered with bed & breakfasts if you’re looking for accommodations which are a bit more polished. There are plenty more gems to visit throughout the area, but I’ve only just begun to see them all. Somehow, I just never manage to make it past the sweet relaxation of kicking back in the springs.

Ready to go? Plan your trip at OLT.org