Indian Hot Springs

I’ve been craving a trip to a Hot Springs... pulling this Oracle Card in my morning meditation nudged me forward. 

I have visited several Hot Springs in Colorado, however I've not been to the one closest to me.  I decided to make a personal retreat weekend out of it and booked a package deal at Indian Hot Springs in Idaho Springs. a small mountain community 45 minutes west of Denver. 

The check in staff was nice. I had a few connections with them; they did not give me an arm band when I checked in, then my locker didn't work. It took me 3 trips to the front desk to get settled in. I used to get annoyed at these types of experiences. Now I see them as the chaotic movements of passing through a portal. Engaging with the experience with this mind set brings me more fully into the adventure of the moment, I am less frustrated, and I am better able to adjust to the changing energetics.  

The name “Indian Hot Springs” inspired me to connect to my ancestors before entering the pools. I mediated on tribal blood pulsing through my body and expressed gratitude for being able to immerse myself in the sacred waters of Mama Gaia. I prepared myself for deep ceremony and proceeded to the first pool. 

The main hot springs is a pool in an atrium lined with plants and palm trees. The water is warm, but not so much. There are no seats or ledges along the edge to support peaceful  “soaking”. It feels very much like a community rec center, with lots of kids splashing, playing and making noise. I tried to find the peace in the experience... I lasted 10 minutes.  People with kids may like this place for family gatherings. I, on the other hand found it unfullfilling. 

I went downstairs into the caves, which is why I came here in the first place. There are 2 cave hot springs on site, one for men and one for women, clothing optional. The women's cave had 5 pools of varying HOT water bubbling up from the earth.  Because you are in a cave, the air is hot too. It's a Hot Springs in a Sauna....you warm up quickly. 

The pools were small, and had steps and ledges so you can sit at varying depths. Although the caves are clothing optional, I was the only person naked. I have been the only person in clothes when everyone else was naked. It has never been the other way around. To honor the newness of this experience, I meditated by the entry door, offering my practice as a blessing to the women coming in and out of the cave. 

After an hour in the caves I was done. I felt complete. Although the cave experience is unique and I enjoyed the steam and realizations that emerged in the process, my preference is Hot Springs outside, underneath the sky, stars and moon. Indian Hot Springs has 4 private Jacuzzi's outside, however you need to make reservations for them. It is not as convenient or fun as other Hot Springs where you can easily wander from pool to pool with the cosmos as witness. 

Indian Hot Springs may work well for families due to the kid nature of the main Hot Springs pool. Those looking for a quick day trip for a steam in the caves may enjoy this location as well. However, if you have a weekend and want to stay overnight at a Hot Springs, I recommend driving a bit further and going to other locations such as Cottonwood or Hot Sulfur Springs.