The number one question I get as the Mayor of HeidiTown is regarding hot springs. Which is the best for couples? What hot springs destination includes lodging? Where can I find a dog-friendly hot springs venue? I should write a series of hot springs posts. Would you read that?
In the meantime, we went to Alamosa last month for Rio Frio Ice Festival. When we are in the San Luis Valley, we go to Joyful Journey Hot Springs in the itty bitty town of Moffat.
The hot springs are located about 36 minutes south of Salida, and 48 minutes north of Alamosa and Monte Vista. The location is somewhat remote and it’s not surprising that Joyful Journey offers lodging although we haven’t done it.
They have lodge rooms, a guest house, yurts, tipis, RV sites and camping. Pet-friendly rooms are available in the lodge for an extra $50. Breakfast and dinner are provided, and we’ve heard the food is good.
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On our last visit, we did have Fritzi with us, but it wasn’t hot so she happily slept in the truck while we soaked for an hour. There are dog kennels in the parking lot that I think soakers can use.
The cost of admission at Joyful Journey for adults is $15 and for children, ages 5 to 12, it is $12. Seniors 65 and older are also $12. I think it is a fairly reasonable admission fee for the facilities. We always forget towels so I know that they are $4 each to rent.
While soaking at Joyful Journey, Ryan has said that this is his favorite hot springs venue in Colorado (although he has said that while soaking at other places too). The hot springs features three pools of varying temperatures. The walkway from the firepit to the hottest hot spring offers sweeping views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
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They’ve also added two hot tubs since our last visit.
The pools are small enough to chat with your neighbor soakers and everyone was in a conversational mood this time. We’ve also been when everyone is quiet, so it just depends on the dynamic. And you don’t have to chime in, although much to Ryan’s chagrin, I often make hot springs friends.
It’s never too busy. And it is usually not filled with children utilizing the pools as a playground. This does happen at some hot springs pools, but not here. Everyone is respectful.
It is the type of place where you could spend the day, but we always soak and run. We did, however, spend an anniversary at an Airbnb close by and ended up here twice in one day.
We came back for an evening view and were treated to stunning views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Having visited three times, we will soak there again. The pull of the San Luis Valley is strong. There are few places left in Colorado with such sweeping views of nothingness. It’s is a soul satisfying place to visit for us and that is what keeps bringing us back.
