Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort
Where geothermal waters meet the high Rockies in Chaffee County
Reserve this StayBoutique Hotel in Nathrop, CO
/Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort
Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort
23 Total Rooms
17 Room Types
3.8 (5 Reviews)
The road narrows as it climbs west through the Arkansas River Valley, the Collegiate Peaks sharpening against the sky until the landscape opens to reveal something unexpected: steam rising from the earth itself, curling upward against a backdrop of 14,000-foot summits. Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort sits at the base of its namesake peak in the heart of Colorado's Sawatch Range, a place where geothermal springs have been drawing visitors for well over a century. The property sprawls across a creekside campus that feels both expansive and grounded, its buildings arranged to take full advantage of the mountain views and the natural hot water that defines every aspect of the guest experience.
Accommodations range from historic lodge rooms and modern hotel-style rooms to standalone cabins and cliffside rooms perched above Chalk Creek. The variety is deliberate, offering everything from intimate creek-adjacent hideaways to larger spaces suited for families or groups. Many rooms provide direct views of Mount Princeton or the surrounding peaks, and the property's layout ensures that a short walk from any room leads to water, mountains, or both. The resort also features a selection of event and gathering spaces, making it a destination for weddings and retreats set against one of Colorado's most dramatic natural amphitheaters.
The hot springs themselves are the resort's defining feature. The upper pool complex offers a series of soaking pools maintained at varying temperatures, while Chalk Creek runs directly through the property, creating natural creekside hot spring pools where guests can adjust the temperature by shifting river stones to blend cold creek water with geothermal flow. It is a tactile, elemental experience that feels fundamentally different from any conventional spa or pool. The resort also operates a spa offering massage and bodywork treatments, and there is a fitness facility on site. For dining, the Princeton Club Restaurant and Bar serves breakfast and dinner with views of the peaks, while the Pavilion offers a more casual poolside option. The resort's Princeton Pub provides an additional gathering spot for drinks and lighter fare.
Beyond the property, the surrounding Chaffee County landscape invites exploration. The Arkansas River is one of Colorado's premier whitewater corridors, and the resort sits within reach of multiple fourteener trailheads, mountain biking networks, and the historic towns of Buena Vista and Salida. Winter brings a quieter rhythm, the hot springs taking on a particular magic when steam meets cold mountain air and snow blankets the valley floor. Throughout every season, Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort offers something increasingly rare: a place where the landscape does most of the work, where the luxury is geological rather than manufactured, and where the most memorable moments happen not in a designed space but in a creek bed, beneath the peaks, with warm water rising from the earth below.
The road narrows as it climbs west through the Arkansas River Valley, the Collegiate Peaks sharpening against the sky until the landscape opens to reveal something unexpected: steam rising from the earth itself, curling upward against a backdrop of 14,000-foot summits. Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort sits at the base of its namesake peak in the heart of Colorado's Sawatch Range, a place where geothermal springs have been drawing visitors for well over a century. The property sprawls across a creekside campus that feels both expansive and grounded, its buildings arranged to take full advantage of the mountain views and the natural hot water that defines every aspect of the guest experience.
Accommodations range from historic lodge rooms and modern hotel-style rooms to standalone cabins and cliffside rooms perched above Chalk Creek. The variety is deliberate, offering everything from intimate creek-adjacent hideaways to larger spaces suited for families or groups. Many rooms provide direct views of Mount Princeton or the surrounding peaks, and the property's layout ensures that a short walk from any room leads to water, mountains, or both. The resort also features a selection of event and gathering spaces, making it a destination for weddings and retreats set against one of Colorado's most dramatic natural amphitheaters.
The hot springs themselves are the resort's defining feature. The upper pool complex offers a series of soaking pools maintained at varying temperatures, while Chalk Creek runs directly through the property, creating natural creekside hot spring pools where guests can adjust the temperature by shifting river stones to blend cold creek water with geothermal flow. It is a tactile, elemental experience that feels fundamentally different from any conventional spa or pool. The resort also operates a spa offering massage and bodywork treatments, and there is a fitness facility on site. For dining, the Princeton Club Restaurant and Bar serves breakfast and dinner with views of the peaks, while the Pavilion offers a more casual poolside option. The resort's Princeton Pub provides an additional gathering spot for drinks and lighter fare.
What we love about this stay
There's something disarming about a place where the earth itself provides the warmth. At Mount Princeton, the thermal springs aren't a designed amenity — they feel elemental, mineral-rich water rising against snow-capped Collegiate Peaks in a way that makes the whole scene slightly surreal. The architecture leans into its setting rather than competing with it, all natural stone and timber that reads as earned rather than styled. It's a property that shifts personality with the seasons, which means returning guests never quite get the same place twice. The fire pit at night, the starlit valley, the quiet after a day spent on trails — it all accumulates into something that stays with you less as a highlight reel and more as a feeling you can't fully explain to anyone who wasn't there.
Explore our Accommodations
Where you'll be staying
15870 County Road 162, Nathrop, CO, 81236, United States
Hear it from other travelers
Guest
MAR 2026
Fall colors in Colorado lasted well into November which was a nice surprise. My son arranged massages for his gf and I which were both delightful. Beautiful, relaxing atmosphere in the spa. Hot springs were the bomb. So many places to soak, either in peace and quiet or visiting with new friends. Especially loved the river running through the property. We rented adorable rooms on the hillside where we drank cocktails at sunset and coffee at sunrise.
Guest
MAR 2026
Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort is one of our favorite mountain getaways! We’ve visited a couple of times now, staying both in a cabin and a room. While the rooms were spacious, well-equipped, and offered stunning views, the cabin won us over - it felt like our own personal home in the mountains while still offering the same amenities! The hot springs are absolutely incredible, offering a relaxing atmosphere with unbeatable views. We loved the hand-crafted smoothies and drinks available right by the pools - delicious and refreshing! The resort strikes a perfect balance between being family-friendly while also having adults-only areas, so you can enjoy peaceful, private time if that’s what you’re looking for! Although we’ve mostly experienced the hot springs, it’s clear the resort offers so much more to explore. Dining at the on-site restaurant was great - dinner was fantastic, and breakfast was just as delicious! Coffee with a view you really can’t go wrong! The pricing is reasonable, especially compared to other hot springs around Colorado. The day pass option is great, but staying overnight for the full experience, with unlimited back-and-forth access to the springs, is worth every penny. Highly recommend!
Guest
MAR 2026
We spent two days, one night, here before college starts again. This was everything we could ever ask for. The view from our room (cliff side room) was beautiful. The room was big, warm, and nice. The hot springs were hot even with 10 degrees outside. In the evening everything was so magical with the steam and the stars above us. We had time to relax and do some hikes around the resort. We will definitely come back!!!
Guest
MAR 2026
Been coming here for ten plus years. It has changed. Our car was vandalized up at the cliff side rooms. Loud music was being played all night long. Our table on our patio n was broken. We couldn’t even use it. The locker rooms in the spa are in severe need of a good cleaning and things need repair. This place should be relaxing and calm, and sadly it was not. I think they need security due to other guests not being respectful. Details matter, especially when the price is what it is.
Guest
MAR 2026
This review, and the 1-star rating, is for the spa and massage services. My boyfriend treated me to a massage and facial combo for my birthday over the weekend, spending over $300 + tip. Unfortunately, the experience did not meet expectations. The massage therapist was elderly and seemed to lack the necessary hand strength and technical skill to justify the $150 price tag for the massage. As someone who has had massages all over the world, I would rank this experience in the bottom 10% yet with a top 10% cost. The ambiance also failed to create a relaxing environment. There was no music to set the mood, and a loud heater kept switching on and off, disrupting the experience. If you are going to charge premium prices for a spa and massage experience, the quality of the service and overall environment should reflect that. Sadly, this was not the case here.
What you need to know
4:00 PM
We understand that plans can change. The cancellation terms below describe the standard policy. Your specific booking’s eligibility for cancellation and refund is determined by the terms shown at the time of booking. **Standard Refundable Terms** For reservations that are marked as refundable: - Guests may cancel up to 48 hours before check-in to receive a full refund - Cancellations made less than 48 hours before check-in may be eligible for a partial refund No refunds are issued for: - No-shows - Cancellations made after check-in - Non-Refundable Reservations Some reservations may be marked as non-refundable. - For these bookings, cancellations or no-shows are not eligible for a refund, regardless of timing. **Refund Processing** Eligible refunds are processed to the original payment method and typically appear within 5–10 business days, depending on your payment provider.Reservation Changes Changes to reservations, including date modifications, are subject to availability and may incur additional charges and must be made up to 48 hours before check-in
11:00 AM
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