Rainbow Hot Springs
Pagosa Springs, Colorado4.4 (37 reviews on Google)
Reaching Rainbow Hot Springs in Pagosa Springs, Colorado means leaving pavement about 3.5 miles short of the spring; that nearest road is unnamed here. The hike in is about 5.3 miles by trail. Treated here as an undeveloped backcountry pool; nothing on file corroborates that label. Non-survey sources give about 100°F here (ideal soak). Access is priced as free and camping on site is confirmed in visitor reviews. Whether suits are required is not established in our sources; confirm locally.
At a glance
Water temp
100–104°F — the classic hot-spring range
Verified
Road required
Any car
Unverified
Getting there
Hike-In (5.3 mi)
Visitor-confirmed
Clothing
Unverified
Unverified
Camping on site
Yes
Visitor-confirmed
Cell service
Assume none
Information verified: — roads and policies change without notice.
Conditions at the spring
What we can actually confirm
Every attribute shows its source. Where nothing confirms it, we say so rather than guess.
Clothing policy
Unverified
Vehicle needed
Not confirmed
Getting to the water
Hike-In (5.3 mi by trail) · nearest road 3.54 mi away in a straight lineCamping on site
Yes
Development
Primitive/Backcountry
The water
Tips before you go
Practical notes from operators, land managers and published sources — plus reviews written here.
USFS: about 5.3 miles up the West Fork Trail (561) from the trailhead information board, in the Weminuche Wilderness. The first mile crosses private property; the pools are not visible from the trail — follow social trails through the designated campsites to the river. In winter the West Fork Road is closed to cars, making it about 7.5 miles from the closure. Source: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/sanjuan/recreation/rainbow-hot-springs
Primitive, undeveloped pools; camping near the springs only at 9 numbered, first-come designated sites. Bicycles are not allowed on the trail; group size max 15. Source: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/sanjuan/recreation/rainbow-hot-springs
Not a bad hike but be sure to bring enough water.
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Contact & location
Address: Rainbow Hot Springs, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Keep this page honest
Road and closure status for Rainbow Hot Springs is the fastest-decaying fact on this page. If something has changed on the ground, tell us and we will re-check it.
