I think hot springs are the coolest thing to have ever existed. There is something so unearthly and magical about them. I know all the scientists are screaming right now because there’s actually a pretty legitimate explanation for their occurrence. Regardless, I prefer to be allured by the mermaid pools.
Travertine Hot Springs – Bridgeport, CA
My first hot spring experience was a near-death one. My boyfriend (at the time) and I were visiting his family in San Francisco, California. The springs were four hours away in a town called Bridgeport. It took some convincing, but eventually my boyfriend agreed to the road trip. We borrowed his aunt’s convertible and hit the road. The trouble didn’t start until we reached the Sierra Mountains. Being nineteen, we hadn’t considered that driving in the pitch black night, with snow on the ground, no snow tires, and on a mountain ledge wasn’t the best idea. By the time we found ourselves in that situation, there was no turning around. I took one of my anxiety pills, shut my eyes, and prayed we would not go sky diving off the side.
The craziest part is I’d do it again to see the Travertine Hot Springs. There were springs varying in size sprinkled all over the area, but we hunted for a small one assuming they would be less popular. We found a vacant one surrounded by limestone and placed in sublime view of the Sierra Mountains.
The springs are easy to find thanks to the gift of GPS—that is, if you’re not two nineteen-year-olds with no plan and just a convertible. Although a high trafic area, the springs are not commercialized, and nature is left alone. That also means clothing is optional!
Blue Lagoon – Grindavík, Iceland
The Blue Lagoon really does live up to its hype. I’m not ussualy a fan of man-made hot springs, but this one is worth experiencing. It doesn’t have that same, “fairies live here,” vibe that random springs in the middle of nowhere have. However, it is still a super relaxing and fun experience. Not to mention, the milky blue waters are otherworldly and make a superb backdrop for photos.
The lagoon’s origin story begins with a geothermal power station. The plant produced a silicon-rich water byproduct that began as an accidental pool and later harnessed to become one of Iceland’s most popular attractions. Yes, swimming in a geothermal power plant’s runoff sounds like the start of a superhero movie, but I for one, am down to contract superpowers.
Landbrotalaug Hot Spring – Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Iceland
This spring is the complete opposite of The Blue Lagoon—hidden, small, and nothing flashy. It is quite literally in the middle of nowhere, and that is why I love it. If you can find it, it is an enchanting experience. Unfortunately, it is tricky to hunt down, and putting the name into the GPS is no use. I followed the instructions here and after a few missed turns, and some brainstorming, my travel buddies and I were able to locate the secret pool. Some other blogs also have the coordinates listed and I think the easiest thing to do is plug those into your maps (N64°49.933 W22°19.110).
Spence Hot Springs – Jemez, New Mexico
My only complaint about Spence Hot Springs is they are more of a “warm spring.” I like my water to hurt a little bit, but if you are looking for more of a lukewarm bath then this is the place to go. The neat thing about Spence is the cave. It is the perfect size to swim into, hang out under, and drink some beverages. Just be respectful and take your trash!
“There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won’t cure, but I don’t know many of them.”
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