Soaking basics
Hot Spring Etiquette: The Unwritten Rules of Soaking
Last updated October 6, 2026 · 2 min read
Hot springs are shared spaces. A small natural pool might hold six people, and the person next to you probably drove a long way for the same quiet soak you did. A few simple habits keep springs pleasant and, just as important, keep them open.
Keep the noise down
Most people come to hot springs to relax. Speak quietly, leave the speaker at home and save the loud stories for the drive back. If you arrive at a pool where people are sitting in silence, follow their lead.
Share the pool
If a small pool is full, wait your turn or move to another one. When people are waiting, keep your soak reasonably short. Do not spread towels and bags across the best spots.
No glass, ever
Broken glass in a pool is nearly impossible to find and can cause serious cuts. Bring drinks in plastic or metal bottles, and check whether alcohol is allowed at all. Many Forest Service and resort sites ban it.
No soap, shampoo or sunscreen in natural pools
Natural pools have little or no flow to flush out chemicals. Soap, lotion and sunscreen leave a film on the water and harm the life downstream. Shower before you arrive or rinse off away from the spring.
Ask before you take photos
Taking a picture of the view is fine. Taking a picture that includes other people is not, unless you ask. At clothing-optional springs, keep your phone away from the pools completely.
Know the clothing policy
Some springs are clothing optional, some are optional only after dark, and many developed pools require swimwear. Check the policy before you go and follow posted signs. If you are not comfortable with nudity, choose a place that requires swimwear. Our clothing-optional hot springs page lists the ones we know about.
Leave dogs out of the water
Dogs can overheat quickly in hot water, and their hair and waste foul small pools. Many sites ban dogs. Where they are allowed, keep them on a leash and out of the pools.
Leave no trace
At primitive springs, there is no one to clean up after you.
- Pack out every scrap of trash, including food scraps and bottle caps.
- Use toilets where they exist. Otherwise, go at least 200 feet from water and bury waste properly.
- Do not dig new pools, build dams or move rocks without a good reason.
- Camp only where camping is allowed, usually well away from the spring.
Respect closures and private land
Some springs close for the night, for the season or for restoration. Others sit on private land, and access depends entirely on the owner’s goodwill. Trespassing has closed many springs for everyone. If a sign says closed, it is closed.
Leave it better than you found it
Carry a spare trash bag and pick up anything you see. It takes a minute, and it is the reason many free springs are still open.
For the safety side of soaking, read our hot spring safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can you bring drinks to a hot spring?
Water in a plastic or metal bottle is fine almost everywhere. Glass is banned or frowned on at most springs because broken glass in a pool is dangerous and hard to find. Many sites also ban alcohol.
Is it rude to take photos at hot springs?
Photographing the place is usually fine, but never photograph other people without asking, and never at clothing-optional springs. Some resorts ban phones in pool areas entirely.
Can I use soap in a hot spring?
Not in natural pools. Even biodegradable soap pollutes small pools and harms the plants and animals downstream. Rinse in a shower at developed sites, or carry water 200 feet away from the spring at primitive sites.