Willy Cosmo's Road Trippin' Hot Springs Adventure!

Well, after 7 days, roughly 50 hours and a 50 minutes and 2,906 miles of driving (and 10 hot springs later), Willy Cosmo and fam are back home in Portland to report on our Great American Road Trip through Idaho, Colorado and Wyoming!

From Portland to Miracle Hot Springs, to Banbury Hot Springs, to Strawberry Hot Springs, to Hot Sulphur Springs, to Denver, Colorado, to Fountain of Youth Hot Springs, to Hot Springs State Park Bath House, to Granite Hot Springs, to Challis Hot Springs*, to Sunbeam Hot Springs, to Haven Hot Springs, and back to Portland again. What a doozy of a trip!

Willy Cosmo's August Adventures!  w/ music by: Jacob Miller and The Bridge City Crooners

JOE: Yup, we did it. We loaded up our car with a tent, clothes, pillows, a cooler, a stroller, some food, and a whole lot of gumption and made our way to Denver, Colorado for an absolutely lovely wedding. We of course made the most of this trip and squeezed in a visit to 10 different hot springs between the way there and back again. We'll be reporting individually on each of these places but before we break it down we thought we'd better just give you a glimpse of this mighty ambitious trip we just did. So, below you're going to get to see the list o' hot springs Willy Cosmo checked out in just one week of this young lads life!
RACH: This was, by far, the biggest road trip WC has ever been on. he was a little champ. We wanted to hit at least 4 hot springs on the ways there and back, but, thanks largely to his dreamy temperament and thirst for the next soak, we were able to go to 10!! So, we now have a better idea about the hot springs culture in Idaho, Colorado, and Wyoming. A decidedly different flavor than California and Oregon. Some really spectacular water to be sure, but don't forget your swimming costumes! Full reports to follow shortly, but here is an overview of the ground we covered, and the waters we replenished ourselves in:

Miracle Hot Springs ~ Buhl, Idaho:

Miracle Hot Springs is on the outskirts of Buhl, Idaho - spoiler alert: they have an alligator!! Also, some really well designed pools and great camping domes. We loved this place.

Banbury Hot Springs ~ Buhl Idaho:

Banbury Hot Springs is just about one and a half miles from Miracle Hot Springs and last year, Miracle bought Banbury. So, these two lovely soaking destinations are in cahoots! Banbury is the place for family fun.

Strawberry Park Hot Springs ~ Steamboat Springs, Colorado:

Strawberry Park Hot Springs is just outside Steamboat Springs, Colorado, way up in the forest, a very unique destination.

Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa ~ Hot Sulphur Springs, CO

Hot Sulphur Springs is located in the town by the same name. They have 24 pools, varying in temperatures, different mineral contents, and some really stunning views.

Hot Springs break, pool side at the Westin ~ Denver, Colorado

Willy Cosmo was quite impressed with the wedding accommodations in Denver! While it's not a hot spring, nothing beats a fancy rooftop swimming pool on a hot city day!

Fountain of Youth Hot Springs RV Park ~ Thermopolis, WY

The Fountain of Youth Hot Springs RV Park is located in what we've come to call the Mecca of Hot Springs, Thermopolis, Wyoming! Located in Hot Springs County and just a yodel away from the largest hot mineral springs in the world, this is a destination that all hot springs lovers around the world need to pilgrimage to...

Hot Springs State Park Bath House ~ Thermopolis, Wyoming

Hot Springs State Park Bath House is wonderful. Go get yourself a free soak at this well built and well run soaking spot located in Hot Springs State Park. Also located in Thermopolis (what a great name for a place btw), Wyoming

Granite Hot Springs ~ Jackson, Wyoming

Granite Hot Springs Pool is pretty darn amazing. I mean, look at that view! Located in the Bridger-Teton National forest, this is one spot you'll be happy you stopped at after taking in the amazing natural surroundings of this incredible area.

*Challis Hot Springs ~ Challis, Idaho

What can we say about Challis Hot Springs? Not much good as of yet because THEY DIDN'T LET WILLY COSMO SOAK THERE! A story for another time (and believe us, that story will get told). 

Sunbeam Hot Springs ~ Sunbeam, Idaho

Sunbeam Hot Springs is a soaking spot right off of HWY 75 on the Salmon River and you know what? It is fantastic.

Haven Hot Springs Resort ~ Lowman, Idaho

Haven Hot Springs is quite a spot. Located in the Sawtooth Mountains in Lowman, Idaho... Straight up, this is is one of the great pools in the history of pools.

So, stay tuned for many, many more photos, and in-depth reviews of each of these places. In the meantime, we are thrilled to be soaking up the comforts of home after a very big week!