Rainbow Hot Springs
Rainbow Hot Springs
4.5
About
Hikers can look forward to a good soak at these popular hot springs, which are set in rock beside the West Fork of the San Juan River.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
16 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
3
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Emily D
Loveland, CO40 contributions
Jun 2020
So cool!! It was adventurous, beautiful, and the one of a kind hike you'll never forget! Thank you everyone for helping us find the Hot Springs!!
Written 25 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marty D
Lakewood, CO402 contributions
Aug 2019
Be ready for an adventure. Make sure it's July or August or before any snow storms may have gotten in your way. And then take a 4 mile walk through the downed, burnt forest land. Be careful to stay on the trail. Our trip was extended by another difficult mile when we missed the right turn of the trail and headed into untrained territory. Try an up and around the place late in the trail where the trail is gone and what's left is quite slippery and steep.
We got to the pools across the creek. Seems like what these are like is bound to vary according to how long they have been in use for any particular season and how much effort previous soakers have put in. The temperature was absolutely perfect for our visit. There was more trail and maybe there are more trails up the way. We were tired enough and happy enough with what we found not to go up that trail.
Bring a water filter. There's plenty of water, and you'll get thirsty.
We got to the pools across the creek. Seems like what these are like is bound to vary according to how long they have been in use for any particular season and how much effort previous soakers have put in. The temperature was absolutely perfect for our visit. There was more trail and maybe there are more trails up the way. We were tired enough and happy enough with what we found not to go up that trail.
Bring a water filter. There's plenty of water, and you'll get thirsty.
Written 5 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Renee O
Centennial, CO1 contribution
May 2019 • Friends
Beautiful hike but the flies were unbelievable. Has to eat in our tent. Thankfully, the flies went away in the evening.
Written 11 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eric S
Los Alamos, NM13 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
Trail to at least third bridge has been cleared of down fall, easy hike after first steep climb out of parking area. Beautiful areas of lush, tall wild flowers. West Fork in great shape. Very open now, not much tree cover, plan for sun.
Written 28 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lawrence
Golden Colorado21 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Spring and area is nice. Did the out and back as a trail run. Beautiful. A lot of the area was hit by a forest fire, probably after pine beetle infestation. Following a natural process, the dead trees dried out and became brittle. Then when wind storms hit, they could no longer bend with the wind and they snapped instead. So there are many dead trees across the trail once you enter the wilderness area and cross the first bridge. About how many? Counted on the way back and i came up with 219 to go over, under, or around. Double that for the out and back. But hey, nature does this sometimes ;) Provides a full body workout.
Written 27 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christian W
Maui, HI19 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
Let me start off by saying I sit at a desk all day, I don't work out very often and I'm about 30lbs overweight. This hike was amazing! The trail is well maintained and the hike really wasn't to bad. The first mile I thought was the worst but other than that it was pretty easy going. I would recommend either backpacking in or hiking this early in the day. We started a little late in the day leaving Pagosa around 10:30am. We got to the trailhead around 11am and started hiking. By 1pm we got hit by a storm and didn't bring much protection from the rain which made the hike back kinda crappy. This hike offers amazing views, wild life and a nice place to relax. We ran into a lot of people fly fishing as well.
Written 22 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorna J
Jacksonville, FL17 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
Had never been to a hot springs before this space was amazing. Price was within our budget and we spend most of the day soaking in various springs of varying temperatures. Great place to soak way all your aches and pains and problems.
Written 28 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Green-Ange
26 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
The hot springs are a Must-Visit if you're in Pagosa Springs or nearby. They have natural springs ranging in temperature with a swift stream running nearby. It's gorgeous and relaxing. Definitely visit here if you're looking to relax for a while.
Written 1 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lukiloveskimo
Midland, TX20 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
I had gone to the Hot Springs a few years ago. At the time, they weren't as hard to find because the vegetation wasn't so high. This year, I wanted to go again. My husband, I and our 10 year old grandson took off to have a great soak. Unfortunately, we never found them. The vegetation, although beautiful, had obscured any sign of them. I REALLY wish that the forest service would post a sign as to their exact location.
After going all the way to a deep ravine and turning back, we still could not find them. However, the recent fires have made the entire area a wild flower and wild mushroom paradise. Around every bend, there is something magnificently beautiful to see. About two miles in, there is a majestic eagle, perched in its nest atop a dead pine. You can hear its sounds of warning as hikers approach. Whether or not you actually find the springs, it is still a magnificently beautiful hike. Well worth the time. Now, come on forest service....where's your sign?
After going all the way to a deep ravine and turning back, we still could not find them. However, the recent fires have made the entire area a wild flower and wild mushroom paradise. Around every bend, there is something magnificently beautiful to see. About two miles in, there is a majestic eagle, perched in its nest atop a dead pine. You can hear its sounds of warning as hikers approach. Whether or not you actually find the springs, it is still a magnificently beautiful hike. Well worth the time. Now, come on forest service....where's your sign?
Written 21 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jerry_Blaine
Fort Worth, TX16 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
Great little hike, only five miles, good camp spots, this is a backpacking, no car camping. There is a couple of natural hot springs, and they are free to use, but clothing is optional.
Written 10 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, I’m planning on a camping trip next week, March 13-16. Would this place be ok to go camp at? We don’t mind the cold, actually it’s preferred! Thank you!
If i were planning a trip at the beginning of march what can I expect? I have no problem with a lot of snow and will be going when conditions are fairly sunny for the week. Also what will the Springs be like? Will they be hot still? And how is the fishing in the San Juan river?
Thank - you
Mike
luv2pole
Gold Canyon, AZ55 contributions
Kinda late, you may have already gone. If you did I hope it was awesome.
Anyway...the springs should be accessible as they are hot. The river may or may not be frozen at that time. I cannot speak to fishing opportunity at that time.
JLee12345963
Sun City West, AZ2 contributions
Can you get to the springs in winter/February? Is there a cost to enter the springs?
luv2pole
Gold Canyon, AZ55 contributions
"Can you get to the springs in winter/February?"
Probably. You would need to be equipped for Winter hiking.
"Is there a cost to enter the springs?"
Of course not. The springs is a natural feature in a National Forest
