Colorado's Luxury Hot Springs Resort In The San Juan Mountain Region Wasn't Always In The 'Best Of' Lists

The Colorado mountain town of Durango, near the state's southern border with New Mexico, has always been famous for its hot springs, which were used as early as 1000 to 1200 A.D. by Native tribes. Today, one of those ancient hot springs is still going strong, following an expensive reinvention project by new owners who gave it a new look and a new name — Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa.

In 1874, Frank Trimble built the then-named Trimble Hot Springs around Durango's geothermal spas. The hot springs resort would face several ups and downs over the coming decades, including multiple fires, new owners, closures, and Hollywood fame, before its recent renovations brought it up to a 4.5-star Google rating. For the most part, it enjoyed decades of fame and local interest, even hosting Hollywood superstar Clark Gable as he filmed "Across the Wide Missouri."

Voted 3rd best Hot Springs in USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards in 2026, Trimble's reputation faced a bit of a crisis in the 2010s. While some continued to enjoy the steaming pools and massages, complaints began to flow in — of dirty pools, poor maintenance, or curt and unfriendly staff. "The bottom of the hot tub pool was brownish yellow, probably from the copper [...] also, there is mold all around the hot tub pool," says one review from 2011. In 2019, the hotel changed hands, revealing the extent of the disrepair for the first time. "When we bought the property all of the hot pools and swimming pools had to be torn out because of the lack of maintenance and lack of investment on upgrades. The deferred maintenance on the facility was incredible," said Bryan Yearout, one of the new owners of the resort, in an interview with The Durango Herald. 

Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa has gone by several names — first by the moniker of Trimble Hot Springs, then Hermosa House until 1931. After World War II, the hotel was sold again to a horse breeder and renamed the Trimble Hot Springs and Dude Ranch, where it shot to prominence as a filming location for Hollywood movies. Despite its many iterations, the resort's 2019 reinvention is its most ambitious project. 

The owners reportedly spent $15 million on construction, switching from a simple set of three pools to a luxurious experience with several pools infused with 32 minerals and brand-new oxygen-infusion technology. However, even though it's now a more ostentatious affair, the Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa still maintains the original hotel's premise of a natural, restorative, and peaceful environment, albeit with a bigger focus on luxury. The Trimble Hot Springs Resort had three pools — a large one for swimming and two smaller hot springs that fed into it. The new resort has 32 natural hot springs soaking pools, an 82-foot long swimming pool, two cold plunge pools, and five Japanese-style Ofuro tubs. 

The changes paid off — Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa has already seen annual visitation increase from an average of 17,000 customers pre-renovations to over 220,000 in 2025 (via Colorado Politics). Reviews on Google also express satisfaction with the new experience, with one long-time customer saying she was "impressed with the upgrades." Another earlier complaint that the resort has now fixed is its hours. Before, the hot springs would open at 11:00 a.m. and close before 8:00 p.m., essentially closing its doors at peak soaking hours. It's now open from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. — much better for a morning plunge or post-work evening soak.

Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa sits on a slope with gorgeous views across landscaped botanical gardens with the San Juan Mountains looming in the distance, giving visitors a taste of the characteristic Mesas and scenic trains that Durango is known for. One Google review even mentions that you can see and hear the famous Silverton Train from the resort. It also lies fairly close to some of Durango's most famous outdoor recreation sites, like the mountainside adventure hub of San Juan National Forest and the affordable skiing destination of Purgatory Ski Resort. So, why not relax your muscles at a peaceful hot spring after a day of hiking or skiing?

The Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa also features separate "adults-only" and "family-friendly" pools. The swimming pool, one cold plunge pool, and 19 hot-spring pools are open to all ages, while the remaining 13 soaking pools and one cold plunge pool are exclusive to adults. Guests can reserve a 2- to 3-hour slot, during which they can hop between pools to enjoy soaking at varying temperatures. While the swimming pool and cold plunge pools are chlorinated, the hot soaking pools use a state-of-the-art filtration system to cycle out water at regular intervals, keeping them fresh without introducing harmful chemicals.

For those who want to up the relaxation even more on their visit, the resort also features a spa with massages, facials, and the aforementioned Japanese Ofuro tubs. You'll have to book your spa appointment in advance; however, a spa treatment comes with complimentary access to the soaking pools and free towels and robes. While the resort plans to open its own lodging in the future, for now, it partners with hotels in town to provide trusted lodging for customers.