Five Hot Springs Swimming Pools for Families

For most kids, the highlight of a family vacation is the swimming pool. Whether you’re camping or set up in a five-star hotel, at the end of the day, water can bring together the most bickering siblings and road-weary parents.

From Evan’s Plunge in Hot Springs, South Dakota to the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool in Glenwood, Colorado (book your stay here), chances are you’ll find a comfortably warm place to swim in any region formed by volcanoes and known for geothermal activity.

Here are five hot springs swimming pools we’ve visited in the last few years.

Oregon: Belknap Hot Springs

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Located on the McKenzie River in the heart of the Cascades Mountain Range, Belknap Hot Springs features two mineral swimming pools. Guests of the lodge have access to both pools, the larger of the two is behind the main lodge building and the smaller pool is up the hill in the campground area. Unregistered guests can swim at the lodge pool with a day pass (we did this). Don’t leave without a walk through the extensive gardens, including the beautiful secret garden. Read more in this story.

Alaska: Chena Hot Springs

Book your room right at Chena Hot Springs

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A year-round favorite for visitors to greater Fairbanks, Chena Hot Springs is worth the drive from the city. We visited in December and enjoyed the warm waters of the indoor family pool (guests eighteen and older are allowed in Lake Chena, a massive outdoor hot spring pool). Because this destination is nearly free from light pollution, it’s an excellent place to look for the Northern Lights. Read more about what to do in Fairbanks in the winter in this story.

Montana: Boulder Hot Springs

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Like Belknap Hot Springs, Boulder Hot Springs is available to guest and day visitors. From the outdoor pool, guests experience panoramic views of the Helena National Forest and understand how the state earned a reputation for having big skies. Guests can also enjoy indoor amenities—steam rooms, spas, and a cold plunge—in the gender-specific locker rooms. Soft serve ice cream is available from the main desk; towels and bathing suits are available to rent. Read more about what to do in Helena in this story.

Wyoming: Hot Springs State Park

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Housed within Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis, Wyoming, the State Bath house is a free and popular attraction linked to the world’s largest mineral hot springs. The facility features indoor and outdoor pools, with the outdoor pool partially shaded from the sun and rain. I felt completely relaxed after visiting Hot Springs State Park, but noticed my bathing suit took home a bit of a permanent mineral odor as a permanent souvenir (bring your grubby suit if you have one). Towels are available for rent at the front desk. Read more in this story.

Oregon: Kah-Nee-Ta

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The main attraction on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in Central Oregon’s high plains region, Kah-Nee-Ta Resort & Spa features a double-Olympic size hot springs swimming pool. The largest hot springs swimming pool we’ve frequented so far, the swim is worth the drive. Resort guests and day trippers can enjoy the pool, which is divided into different regions (based on depth) and features two water slides. Read more in this story. Update — unfortunately, as of August 2018 Kah-Nee-Ta has closed.

Do you have a favorite family-friendly hot spring swimming pool? Leave a comment below.

Happy trails! 

Hot Springs

About the Author

Julie Henning
Julie Henning is a freelance writer and journalist based out of Eugene, Oregon. She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and owner of the family-travel website RoadTripsForFamilies.com. She is a recent past member of the Midwest Travel Writers Association and the Association for Great Lakes Outdoor Writers. In March 2018 Julie Henning published the book "100 Things to Do in Eugene Before You Die" (Reedy Press). She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and recent past member of the Midwest Travel Writers Association and the Association for Great Lakes Outdoor Writers. She has been published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Wisconsin State Journal, Travel Wisconsin, Travel Oregon, Hometown News Group, The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Illinois), the Rochester Post Bulletin, Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine (DNR publication), Experience Michigan Magazine, the Official Oregon Wine Touring Guide, Metro Parent Milwaukee Magazine, Eugene Cascades & Coast Official Visitors Guide, Trivago, Intercom Magazine, Roadtrippers.com, Amtrak.com, Eugene Magazine, and FTF Geocacher Magazine. Julie has appeared on Wisconsin Public Radio, Ohio Public Radio, and KCBX FM Central Coast Radio. She has produced episodes for Journey of Discovery with Tom Wilmer, a National Public Radio travel podcast. Julie has also produced travel apps with Sutro Media and Bindu Media. She works full time in marketing. Julie has appeared on Wisconsin Public Radio, Ohio Public Radio, and KCBX FM Central Coast Radio and is an affiliate producer with the Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer, a National Public Radio travel podcast. She has blogged for TravelWisconsin.com, Travel Oregon, and VISIT Milwaukee. Julie travels with her three kids and black lab as much as possible and lives by the motto, "Not all who wander are lost." Check out some of her best work at www.juliehenning.com.