Natural hot spring · Colorado
Penny Hot Springs
Pitkin County, Colorado · 12 miles south of Carbondale, CO
Also searched as:Penny Hot Springs Carbondale · Penny Hot Springs Directions
Last updated
- Type
- Natural Natural hot spring
- Water temperature
- 133°F (56°C) at the source
- Cost
- Free
- Hours or season
- Not recorded
- Clothing
- Not recorded
- Nearest town
- Carbondale, CO (12 mi / 19 km)
- Coordinates
- Pools or sources
- 1
- Scalding: recorded at 50°C or above. Water at this temperature causes burns in seconds.
About Penny Hot Springs
Penny Hot Springs is a natural hot spring in Pitkin County, Colorado, about 12 miles south of Carbondale, CO. The nearest large city is Grand Junction, CO, roughly 72 miles away as the crow flies.
The recorded temperature has been recorded at 133°F (56°C). That puts it in the "too hot to enter at the source" range. Water this hot can burn skin quickly. Soaking pools are usually cooled by mixing with creek or tap water. Never enter the source itself.
It is a natural spring with little or no development. Some natural springs have rock pools you can sit in, while others are too hot, too shallow or on land where soaking is not allowed.
Water temperature
Too hot to enter at the source. Water this hot can burn skin quickly. Soaking pools are usually cooled by mixing with creek or tap water. Never enter the source itself.
Readings come from the NOAA thermal springs list, OpenStreetMap mappers, and other public sources. Temperatures change with season, flow and pool design. See our soak temperature guide for safe soaking times.
Water chemistry
| pH | 9.2 |
|---|---|
| sulfate | 1400 mg/l |
| chloride | 260 mg/l |
| bicarbonate | 565 mg/l |
| sodium | 400 mg/l |
| calcium | 440 mg/l |
| magnesium | 55 mg/l |
| potassium | 38 mg/l |
| silica | 81 mg/l |
Laboratory values from public geochemistry records, sampled 1976. Mineral content does not mean the water is safe to drink.
Map and directions
Red marks Penny Hot Springs. Other colored dots are nearby springs in this directory. Coordinates: 39.23187, -107.22728.
Getting there
- Nearest town: Carbondale, CO. The spring is about 12 miles (19 km) south of town in a straight line.
- Nearest large city: Grand Junction, CO, about 72 miles (116 km) in a straight line.
- Planning from a city? See hot springs near Grand Junction, CO.
- Use the directions buttons above for a driving route. Final roads to many springs are unpaved, seasonal or closed in winter, so check road conditions before you go.
Weather forecast
Live forecast for this exact spot from the US National Weather Service.
Hot springs near Penny Hot Springs
- Glenwood Hot Springs Grand Pool 90°F
- Iron Mountain Hot Springs Not recorded
- Conundrum Hot Springs 100°F
- South Canyon Hot Springs 100°F
- Dotsero Warm Springs 90°F
- Charlotte Hot Springs & Botanical Gardens 127°F
Before you go
- Check the operator, land manager or park website for current hours, fees and closures. Details in any directory can go out of date.
- Pack out everything you bring, including food scraps. Do not use soap in natural pools.
- Keep your head above water. Warm fresh water can carry Naegleria fowleri, a rare but deadly amoeba that enters through the nose.
- Drink water, limit soaks to 10 to 20 minutes at a time in very hot water, and skip alcohol.
- Read our hot spring etiquette guide and safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
How hot is Penny Hot Springs?
The recorded temperature has been recorded at 133°F (56°C), which is too hot to enter at the source. Water this hot can burn skin quickly. Soaking pools are usually cooled by mixing with creek or tap water. Never enter the source itself.
Where is Penny Hot Springs?
Penny Hot Springs is in Pitkin County, Colorado, about 12 miles south of Carbondale, CO. The GPS coordinates are 39.2319, -107.2273.
How do I get to Penny Hot Springs?
Head for Carbondale, CO; the spring is about 12 miles south of town. Enter the GPS coordinates 39.2319, -107.2273 into Google Maps or Apple Maps, or use the directions buttons at the top of this page. Mountain and forest roads can close in winter or after storms, so check with the land manager before you go.
Is Penny Hot Springs free?
Yes. It is recorded as free to visit. Parking passes or recreation fees may still apply on public land.
Can you soak at Penny Hot Springs?
The source is too hot to enter safely. Natural springs vary. Some have pools built by visitors, others are too hot or shallow, and some are on private land or in areas where bathing is banned. Check local rules and test the water before you get in.
What hot springs are near Penny Hot Springs?
The closest listed spring is Glenwood Hot Springs Grand Pool, about 23 miles north. Iron Mountain Hot Springs is about 23 miles away.
What should I bring to a hot spring?
Water to drink, a towel, sandals with grip, a bag to pack out trash, and warm layers for after your soak. At primitive springs bring a headlamp and tell someone where you are going.
Sources and corrections
This listing combines the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, the NOAA NCEI Thermal Springs List, OpenStreetMap. Data last refreshed August 2026. Source 1 Source 2
Visited recently? Send a correction, such as a temperature reading, fee, closure or photo. If you look after this spring and want it removed, see removal requests.