Denver, the capital of the state of Colorado is considered to be starting from a mining town.
In a cave that reminds of ancient times, I soaked in hot springs.
Historic Health Resort
It is only 40 minutes’ drive to west from the down.
Idaho Springs is one of the places that promised the prosperity of Denver, where people found a gold mine; while this area was just a way point for the gold rush in California.
Indian Hot Springs is a historic hotel located in Idaho Springs, CO.
In 1863, a first bath house was built because a man ended up finding hot water, digging in the mountains.
The buildings look old, but they serve a swimming pool, private indoor/outdoor pools, mud baths, and geothermal caves.
Many people were visiting the facility probably due to the convenient access from urban area.
Swimming Pool and Private Baths
First, I went to the swimming pool.
Under the transparent ceiling, tropical plants were flourished in the indoor garden.
Clothing is required.
The large swimming pool was fed by mineral water and kept around 100 degrees F.
A bad thing was that it was chlorinated.
The private indoor baths were not with chlorine, but were not so interesting to me.
The true enchantment of Indian Hot Springs would be its geothermal caves.
Geothermal Caves
The caves are gender-separated, and clothing optional.
Regular customers were all in the nude.
In the dark changing room, I found several posters that were saying that using drugs were illegal.
I started feeling anxious.
Going deeper in the unlined tunnel, there was a white door.
Beyond this point, the cave is maintained as a steam bath, which has three hot tubs in it.
It was just like a tunnel exploration.
The front T-shaped tub was fed by 114 degrees F water.
The extremely hot water was provided from the pipes installed along the ceiling.
In the middle there was a square-shaped tub that was divided into two under water.
Two benches were located in both sides of the tub.
It was nicely hot, around 111 degrees F.
The slight opaque water created characteristic mineral deposits all around.
The cave makes a turn to left, but is roped-off.
In the dark I could hear sound from women’s bath.
108 degrees F water was in the step-like tub.
The cave was too hot and humid to stay long, so I took break in the changing room and returned to inside for many times.
It was nice, and a kind of additive experience as well.
Summary
Indian Hot Springs, Idaho Springs, Colorado, U.S.
Rating:
Tip
Honestly, the Geothermal Cave is only the option that I want.
- Walk-in: Yes
- Lodging: Yes