A Guide to Natural Hot Springs.
Have you ever seen hot springs listed in the “things to do” section of your itinerary and felt a little curious? Have you been interested but hesitant because you’re not sure what to expect? Hot springs are a glorious natural phenomenon that can be enjoyable for the entire family.
Visiting a natural hot spring is on many people’s bucket list. Some want to visit hot springs for a warm, relaxing outdoor soak, others seek the adventure in finding a remote backcountry hot tub, while many are attracted to the healing powers of these mysterious pools. From water temperatures, brain eating amoebas, and what to bring, here’s an official guide to natural hot springs.
Water temperature.
It’s never a good idea to just plop yourself into a hot spring without first dipping a toe in to check the temperature; hot springs have temperatures ranging from about 99-103 degrees. Oftentimes, there is more than one pool and the temperatures will vary.
The water.
Once you arrive, the hot springs might not be what you expected. You may be greeted by a sulphury rotten-egg-like smell, this is typical for hot springs.
Like any natural water feature, there might be some debris in the water. There may be leaves, algae, foam, or other earthly material floating around, none of which harmful.
Most hot springs come equipped with cleaning supplies. This could be a brush to scrub the tub, a strainer to scoop out floaties, or a bucket to dig out the bottom; either way, visitors are encouraged to do their part in keeping the pools clean. .
Keep your head above the water.
There’s an extremely rare brain-eating amoeba that is sometimes found in hot springs and warm water sources, it’s called Naegleria Fowleri. According to the CDC, people can become infected when the amoeba enters the body through the nose. So don’t submerge your head. Many hot springs have warning signs posted reminding visitors of this rare microorganism.
Photo courtesy of Kristina Ritchie
What to bring.
- Water: Bring plenty of drinking water.
- Towel: Those lightweight microfiber ones work fine.
- Swimsuit: At some remote hot springs, visitors may prefer to wear their birthday suit.
- Water shoes: A pair of flip-flops or those black drugstore water shoes will suffice. Wear them in the spring or at least have something to slip on your feet when exiting the soaking pool.
- A trash bag: A simple grocery bag will do. Practice Leave No Trace principles and pack out what you bring in.
What not to bring.
- Pets: For obvious reasons, hot springs are not a good place for pets. Unless your pet can rest quietly and unattended, you may regret bringing them.
- Speakers: People love relaxing with their favorite music, but unless you are completely alone, it’s never a good idea to blast Yanni for everyone to enjoy. The bottom line is, people might not like your music, which may create an unpleasant experience for others.
- Glass containers: Drinking alcohol is discouraged when soaking in hot springs, but more importantly, you should not bring glass containers. Even the most graceful human can have a moment of blunder and the next thing you know glass is everywhere. It’s dangerous and difficult to clean up.
Enjoy!
Naturally occurring hot springs are one of the most marvelous things our planet has given us. Hopefully, this guide to natural hot springs gives some insight and motivation to check out what’s around you or in the area. Visiting hot springs for the first time can be intimidating for many, but as long as you keep your head above the water, you’ll be fine. Enjoy!