Dakota Hot Springs

What to expect

Dakota Hot Springs is a simple, unpretentious soak in the Arkansas River valley at Penrose, a small town on US-50 between Cañon City and Pueblo. The property covers about 160 acres at roughly 5,200 feet, with open high-desert views toward the Front Range and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the southwest. The area calls itself Colorado’s “Banana Belt” because winters are mild compared with the mountains, and Uncover Colorado says the site averages more than 300 days of sunshine a year.

The main feature is a single long outdoor soaking pool. Uncover Colorado describes it as about 70 feet long and 3 to 5 feet deep, held around 95-98°F35-37°C, with a separate 6-foot round tub at about 108°F42°C. The water comes from an artesian hot-water well and circulates on its own pressure, and the pool is not chlorinated. According to the same source, the well dates to an old oil exploration: drillers hit hot water instead of oil in 1924 at about 2,000 feet and abandoned the hole. The water is described as low in sulfur and iron, so there is little smell.

There is a sun deck beside the pool and grills for guests to use. Bring your own food and drinks. Beyond that, expect basic facilities rather than a spa: no restaurant, no massage menu, no slides.

The operator rebuilt its website in 2026 and now handles bookings through FareHarbor, so check the site for the latest details before you go.

Getting there

Dakota Hot Springs is at 1 Malibu Boulevard, Penrose, CO 81240, on the south side of US-50 in Penrose, roughly 1 mile west of the US-50 and CO-115 junction.

• From Colorado Springs: Take CO-115 south to Penrose, then turn west on US-50 and look for Malibu Boulevard. It is about 36 miles in all. Allow about an hour.
• From Pueblo: Drive west on US-50 for about 30 miles, roughly 40 minutes.
• From Cañon City: Head east on US-50 for about 11 miles.

The roads are paved and suitable for any vehicle. Park on site.

Desert Reef Hot Springs, a separate adults-only resort, is about 6.5 miles away by road on the other side of the valley near Florence, so the two are easy to compare in one trip.

When to go

The springs are open year-round, six days a week, with Mondays closed for cleaning. The pool is drained Sunday night, so Tuesday is the first day back on fresh water.

• Winter is the busiest soaking season. Mild valley weather means you can sit in warm water under blue sky in January, and cold evenings make the 4pm session popular.
• Summer afternoons can be hot in this part of Colorado. The morning session or the late evening part of the afternoon session is more comfortable, and the pool is warm rather than hot.
• Weekends fill first. Book ahead, since walk-ins are not part of the system.

Prices and booking

Reservations are required for everyone, and the operator asks that each person in your group has a separate reservation. The rules from the operator:

• Open Soak: from $21.20 per person, booked online through the Dakota Hot Springs site. The soaking fee is good for one session.
• Sessions: 10am to 3:15pm and 4pm to 9:15pm. Sign in at the office, and sign back in if you leave and return.
• Payment: due on arrival. Reservations are guaranteed with a credit card.
• Cancellations: at least 24 hours before your session.
• Same-day bookings: have cut-off times, so do not leave it until the last minute.
• Membership: $200, sold through the office. Call (719) 372-9250. Sales are final and non-refundable.
• Towels: $5 each to rent.

Rules and etiquette

• Clothing: suits optional Wednesday to Sunday, suits required on Tuesday.
• Children: the operator says families and children are welcome and must be supervised by an adult at all times. Keep in mind that most days are clothing optional.
• Alcohol: allowed in cans or plastic containers only.
• No glass in the pool area, ever.
• No pets in the pool area.
• No cameras: Uncover Colorado notes that cell phones and other devices that can take photos are not allowed at the pool. Leave your phone in the car.

Where to stay nearby

• On site: Dakota Hot Springs rents campsite spots and two campers, one large and one small. Uncover Colorado lists tent and RV sites without hookups, check-in from 4pm to 9:15pm, bathhouse access, and pets allowed in the campground. Campers must also book a pool reservation.
• Penrose and Cañon City: Cañon City, about 11 miles west, has the closest range of motels and restaurants, plus access to the Royal Gorge.
• Pueblo and Colorado Springs have full city services, about 40 minutes and an hour away.

Safety notes

• Sun: The pool is exposed and the valley is sunny most of the year. Bring a hat, sunscreen for before you arrive, and plenty of water.
• Hot tub: The small tub runs much hotter than the main pool. Keep soaks short and cool off between dips.
• Alcohol and heat: Drinking in warm water dehydrates you quickly. Stick to a drink or two and plenty of water.
• Footing: Wet decks are slippery. Wear sandals between the bathhouse and the pool.

Nearby stops worth adding

The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park west of Cañon City is the big draw in the area, and rafting trips run through the gorge on the Arkansas River in summer. Florence, a few miles south, has a small downtown with antique shops and cafes.