Nourish. Heal. Ease: words and themes echoed throughout a stay at The Springs Resort and Spa. And if you let yourself, you’ll feel them all. Tucked in the charming town of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, The Springs is a healing haven full of geothermal mineral springs, glorious spa treatments, phenomenal culinary creations, relaxing rooms and an overall restorative atmosphere.

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The Springs Resort and Spa musts:

• Follow Dr. Coplin’s sleep protocol (you’ll never sleep so well!)
• Take the Warrior Plunge in the San Juan River
• Get the 60-minute Deep Sleep Treatment

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The Water: Listen to Sharon!

The first thing I asked Sharon Holtz, vice president of wellness at The Springs Resort, was “What would be one of the best things to highlight about The Springs?” Her answer: “The Water.” Followed by, “you’ll see,” with a wink. 

Anyone who soaks in the property’s many geothermal springs will understand.

Benefits of mineral water soaking

I stand by Holtz’s recommendation to experience the water’s effects firsthand, but until then, I can share that in my experience, some healing benefits of soaking include relief from joint pain and soreness, improved energy, restful sleep and overall mind and body restoration.

For those curious about the scientific benefits of geothermal mineral springs, The Springs provides plenty of resources. In addition to informative brochures, the incredibly friendly wellness staff is well-educated in soaking benefits. 

At the helm of The Springs Resort science and education is Medical Director Dr. Marcus Coplin. Coplin’s expertise is dotted throughout the resort and its soaking resource guides. I learned from Coplin that the geothermal waters contain 13 minerals that work to rejuvenate and heal. 

Contrast Bathing will have you feeling like a million bucks

There’s no strict soaking protocol at The Springs; guests can immerse themselves however they please. Collectively, the resort has 50 hot spring pools, cold river plunges, a waterfall and a steam grotto (a lovely little waterfall cove) — ranging from 35°F to 112°F. But to get the full range of benefits of these springs, Dr. Coplin suggests “contrast bathing.”

Contrast bathing basics:

1. Warm up to 100°F degrees in one of the spring pools.

2. Soak in a hot (101°F–104°F) or very hot (105°F+) pool — my personal favorite

3. Cold Soak in a 64°F and below spring for 1 min.

4. Rest. Repeat. 

This protocol has a host of benefits, from optimizing metabolism to an overall body detox (as mere examples).

I did the Warrior Plunge and lived to tell about it

I swore I would never subject myself to the insanity of cold plunging. Call me a convert. 

My first dip into the 50-degree river was… unpleasant. The second time, maybe slightly less unpleasant — but Dr Coplin and Holtz (who kindly held my hands) made a cold plunge believer out of me. I did feel a noticeable improvement in my mind and body. 

Every day at noon, brave guests of the resort can follow the contrast bathing protocol with the added element of the Warrior Plunge into the San Juan River. 

If you do it you get a memento for your bravery!

More ways to experience ease and healing

If you aren’t already a ragdoll from contrast bathing or following Dr Coplin’s amazing soak-and-sleep program, there are several added ways to feel relaxed and at ease. 

A few favorite resort activations:

• Nighttime Soak and Aqua Sound Bath Experience: Imagine soaking in a warm pool, surrounded by harmonic sounds emanating from singing bowls. Sometimes the reverberations produce enveloping waves and tickly bubbles.
• The Mother’s Mud Experience: For even more mineral goodness, The Spring’s new geothermal-inspired spa invites guests to slather on mineral-rich Bentonite clay from the Mojave Desert onto arms, legs, décolletage and — this surprised me — armpits. After the clay has done its work, a mineral-water rinse will have skin feeling soft as a newborn baby. 
• Aqua Yoga: Join Yogi and master of healing, Elisa on a journey of stretches and poses. I didn’t think I’d get a workout out of this, but I did! It’s somehow both gentle and muscle-building.
• Restful Recharge: Elisa strikes again with all her restorative powers (of which I’m convinced are many), this time leading a deep rest wellness practice with weighted blankets and aromatherapy — divine.
• Gratitude Ceremony by the Mother Spring: The Mother Spring is the centerpiece of The Springs Resort with a deep local history, mysticism and beauty that deserves its own write-up (stay tuned!). What better place to perform a gratitude ceremony…with guess who? Elisa! My favorite ruler of relaxation. The gratitude ceremony invites guests to write down a gratitude (or list of gratitudes) and place them in a small glass jar, which is then filled with water from the Mother Spring. Mine sits in my office where I can see it daily. 

Spa: Attune your body to ultimate relaxation 

I’ve never fallen asleep on a massage table. Until Lisa, massage goddess, worked her magic during the (newly added) 60-minute Deep Sleep Treatment. This incredibly relaxing massage incorporates light touch massage, sleep-inducing acupressure point application and restful aromatherapy. This treatment, followed — or preceded — by a mineral soak, will have you asleep in no time.

The spa also recently introduced the Aqua Massage. Supported by head and leg floats, massages are performed in soothing mineral waters by specially trained massage therapists. 

Of course, this is simply a taste of the spa’s offerings, which also include additional massages, facials, body treatments and more. 

Wild Finch: Nourishment like you’ve never known

Here’s where ultimate nourishing comes in. The Wild Finch is hands down one of the best gluten-free dining experiences I’ve had — ever. The teaming of Executive Chef Daya Myers-Hurt and Director of Nutrition Sarah Goudie team up for an unforgettable culinary journey that leaves tastebuds tingling. 

In a comfortable, cozy dining area, just off the resort’s lobby, Wild Finch overlooks the Mother Spring. I recommend sampling a little bit of everything. Some of my favorites: Kachumbari — a mix of fresh heirloom tomato, melon, serrano and cilantro spices; Chicken Fried Elk — a wondrous cut of Elk, crisped on the outside, topped with African curry and greens; and Campfire Girl — a dreamy combination of smoked chocolate, meringue and potato chip crumble. 

I could go on and on about Wild Finch and will (in a separate article). 

Beyond Wild Finch, The Springs Resort offers several casual on-property dining options, including Barefoot Grill, 1881 Poolside Provisions and the Canteen bar, The Café and Phoenix Bar & Atrium Lounge.

Renovated rooms for resetting and resting

The Springs Resort recently completed a major renovation in April 2025. The fruit of this revitalization appears throughout the entire resort, guestrooms included.  

Refreshed rooms offer ultimate comfort with luxurious bedding, ample natural light and picturesque views of the San Juan River and surrounding Pagosa landscape. Plus, each guest is greeted with a Sleep Ritual Tray — the goodies of which I’ll keep a surprise, so you’ll discover them upon your visit. 

Stay tuned for more coverage of The Springs Resort & Spa, and to learn more, visit pagosahotsprings.com.