Hot springs near campgrounds — the state-by-state map

Colorado has the highest density of accessible hot springs in the US. Top 5 with adjacent campgrounds: Strawberry Park Hot Springs (Steamboat Springs, $20/adult day-use, Steamboat Springs KOA 10 min); Glenwood Hot Springs Pool (world's largest mineral pool, $30-40/adult, Glenwood Springs KOA 5 min); Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort ($30-50/adult, Buena Vista KOA 15 min); Pagosa Springs (multiple commercial pools, $20-35/adult, Pagosa Springs RV resorts adjacent); Ouray Hot Springs Pool ($20-26/adult, Ouray RV park 5 min walk).

• Strawberry Park (Steamboat): $20, KOA 10 min, primitive feel
• Glenwood Hot Springs Pool: $30-40, world's largest, KOA 5 min
• Mount Princeton: $30-50, mountain views, KOA 15 min
• Pagosa Springs: $20-35, multi-pool town, RV resorts adjacent
• Ouray: $20-26, town-pool community feel, RV park walk distance

California has dispersed hot springs in the Eastern Sierra (Mammoth Lakes area: Wild Willy's, Hilltop, Crab Cooker — all free, primitive, BLM-managed), Coast (Big Sur: Esalen — $35-50 community baths) and Mojave (Saline Valley Warm Springs — dispersed BLM, free, 4WD required).

Top RV-friendly: Mammoth Mountain RV Park + Wild Willy's Hot Springs 15 min drive, free, primitive, beware crowds + glass bottles + waste.

Idaho: Trail Creek Hot Springs (Cascade ID, dispersed USFS, free, 30 min drive from Cascade RV park). Burgdorf Hot Springs (McCall ID area, $20/adult day-use, Burgdorf-area dispersed camping).

Wyoming: Granite Hot Springs (Hoback Junction, $13/adult, dispersed Bridger-Teton NF camping 5 min). Yellowstone NPS thermal features ARE NOT for soaking — illegal + dangerous. Backwoods hot pools (Mammoth area) similarly unsafe.

Montana: Norris Hot Springs (Norris MT, $13/adult, Norris-area dispersed). Bozeman Hot Springs (Bozeman, $11-17/adult, full RV park on-site).

Hot Springs NP (Arkansas): 47 hot springs flowing 700,000 gal/day. NPS-administered bathhouses ($25-35/adult) on Bathhouse Row. RV camping: Gulpha Gorge Campground (NPS, $24/night, 30 ft max) inside park.

Truth or Consequences NM: 10+ commercial hot springs ($10-25/adult per soak). Multiple RV parks within walking distance of bathhouses (Sierra Grande, Riverbend Hot Springs RV park, etc.).

Universal etiquette: shower before entering (rinse off sunscreen + lotion which contaminate mineral chemistry). Voice low, especially after dark. No glass containers near pools. Pack out all trash. Respect 'clothing optional' designations + the modesty preferences of others.

Specific: most commercial hot springs have age + capacity rules. Verify before bringing children. Dispersed/primitive springs are use-at-your-own-risk; verify water temperature with a thermometer (never just feet) before full entry.

The under-shared truth: hot-springs water chemistry varies dramatically (sulphur content, mineral profile, temperature). Some pools are restorative; others irritate skin or aggravate respiratory issues for some people. Test 10-15 min in any new spring before extended soak.

Second under-shared truth: 'free' primitive hot springs near major hubs (Wild Willy's, Strawberry, etc.) suffer from overuse + trash + sometimes harassment. Pay-to-soak commercial pools provide better experience for similar money.