The Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs is one of Colorado’s best-kept secrets, and it’s worth the drive from Denver

When’s the last time you went on a Colorado staycation? It had been too long for my wife and I, but we changed that this weekend with a trip to The Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs, and I don’t think I’ve fully re-entered normal life yet. My body is back in Denver. My soul is still in a 108-degree mineral pool watching the San Juan River drift by at sunset. If you’ve been looking for a reason to leave the city for a weekend, this is your sign.

The Springs Resort sits right on the banks of the San Juan River in downtown Pagosa Springs, about a five hour drive from Denver, (depending on what part of town you’re coming from) and it is built around the Mother Spring, the world’s deepest geothermal hot spring. The resort now has more than 50 geothermal soaking pools at varying temperatures, ranging from cool plunges all the way up to pools like the “Lobster Pot” that I got in at 112 degrees, making me feel like I was melting, yet healing at the very same time. Every pool is fed by that natural mineral water, and each one has its own vibe, some are tucked away and intimate, others are terraced along the river with views of the mountains. You can pool-hop for hours, moving from hot to cold and back again, and it genuinely feels like your body is resetting itself. The resort recently completed a massive expansion that opened last year, nearly doubling the number of rooms to 157 and adding an entirely new wing of beautifully designed accommodations with modern finishes, all with relaxation and rejuvenation in mind. There was even a deep sleep welcome packet waiting for us on the big, comfy bed that gave us some of the best sleep we’ve experienced in a long time.

But the pools and the room were just the beginning. What surprised us the most was the wellness programming that’s included with your stay. We did water yoga in one of the pools, which is exactly as peaceful as it sounds, tried the Mother’s Mud experience, where a wellness host walks you through applying the resort’s signature green bentonite clay as part of a slow, restorative skin ritual, and then capped it off with a nighttime essential oil sauna experience that I can only describe as “I didn’t know I needed this until it was happening.” None of it costs extra. It’s all part of being a guest. And there’s a full calendar of these kinds of activities rotating daily, sound baths, river walks, guided stretches, pool games and more.

We also ate dinner at The Wild Finch, the resort’s on-site signature restaurant that opened as part of the expansion. It blends regional ingredients with globally inspired flavors, think caramelized pear salads, crispy Brussels sprouts, zucchini cakes and hearty entrées with a Colorado soul. The vibe is relaxed and warm, the patio overlooks the Mother Spring, and after a full day of soaking, that ribeye I ordered became one of my favorite things about our trip. They also have a solid cocktail and zero-proof menu for anyone doing the wellness thing all the way through.

Beyond the pools and the free wellness activities I mentioned, The Springs Resort has a full-service spa offering massages, facials and body treatments, all designed around the same geothermal healing philosophy that runs through the entire resort. We’re talking everything from deep tissue and hot stone massages to body scrubs and restorative rituals inspired by the Mother Spring. They also have a two-story Thermal Loft that was added as part of the expansion, a dedicated indoor wellness space with a panoramic sauna, contrast bathing water features and the spot where the guided Mother’s Mud sessions happen. If you want to take things even deeper, they offer personalized wellness pathways curated by the resort’s medical director, Dr. Marcus Coplin, as well as full two- and three-day wellness retreat packages.

From Denver, it’s a drive, sure, but it’s one of the most beautiful drives in the state, cutting through the San Juan Mountains with scenery that makes the miles disappear. If you haven’t been to The Springs Resort since the expansion, it’s a completely different experience now. More pools, better rooms, incredible food and a wellness program that actually makes you feel like a different person by checkout. My wife and I are already planning our next trip. Book at pagosahotsprings.com, and do yourself a favor, stay the extra night. You’ll thank me.