Juniper Hot Springs

What to expect

Juniper Hot Springs is not a resort in the modern sense. It is a fenced patch of ground on the south bank of the Yampa River in the dry sagebrush country of northwest Colorado, with a few soaking tubs, one big pool and some campsites. If you are expecting staff, towels and a snack bar, you will be disappointed. If you like an old, half-forgotten spring with river views and almost nobody else around, it is worth the detour off US-40.

Inside the fence, a few small, deep tubs collect water that seeps up through rocky and clay bottoms. Those are the warmest spots. They overflow into a large concrete pool that runs cooler. One 2025 description gives the flowing water as about 102°F39°C, while other accounts call Juniper more of a warm spring than a hot one and say it varies from day to day. Plan on a mild soak, not a scalding one.

Facilities are basic: a large tent used as a changing area, plastic chairs and tables under a canopy, a portable toilet outside the fence, and posted warning signs you should read before getting in. A scoop and bucket sit by the pools so soakers can skim off floating algae. The ruins of the old bathhouse still stand, painted with graffiti.

There is no longer a working official website for the springs, and the operators do not publish hours or rates. That makes it more important than usual to have a backup plan.

Getting there

The springs are about 27 miles west of Craig and roughly 30 minutes’ drive, between the small communities of Lay and Maybell on US-40.

From Craig, head west on US-40 toward Dinosaur. The springs sit south of the highway on the Yampa, reached by county gravel roads that wind through open range (watch for cattle) and drop down to cross the river. Right after the crossing, a dirt parking area sits beside the fenced pools. A regular passenger car can usually manage the roads in dry weather. Load the coordinates into an offline map before you leave Craig, because signage is limited and signal is unreliable.

In late spring, when the Yampa runs high with snowmelt, check conditions before committing to the river crossing. After heavy rain, the clay roads can turn slick.

When to go

Summer is when the cooler big pool makes the most sense, and long days give you plenty of daylight for the drive. It is also the season for afternoon thunderstorms and mosquitoes near the river. Early fall is often the best balance: lower water on the Yampa, cooler air and quiet weekdays. Spring brings green hills and high water, which can make the crossing more of an obstacle.

Winter visits are possible in principle, but the water is only warm, there is little shelter and the area gets very cold. Without a published schedule, assume nothing about winter access.

Rules and etiquette

• Pay at the honor box. The fee or donation funds the upkeep. Bring cash; there is no card reader.
• Swimsuits required. Bring your own suit and towel. There is no rental.
• No lifeguard. You swim at your own risk, and children need close supervision.
• Read the posted signs at the gate before you get in.
• Respect the property. Juniper has a long history of vandalism, which is why the old buildings were taken down. Pack out all trash and leave the ruins alone.
• Help keep the tubs clean. Use the scoop to clear algae if you see it, and do not use soap in the pools.

Where to stay nearby

• On site: basic campsites on both sides of the soaking area, suitable for tents and self-contained RVs. There are no hookups, and the overnight fee is paid on site.
• Craig: about 30 minutes east on US-40, the nearest town with motels, RV parks, groceries and fuel.
• Maybell: a tiny town to the west on US-40, the last stop for basic supplies before the long empty stretch toward Dinosaur.
• Dinosaur National Monument: about an hour west by road, with campgrounds on the Green and Yampa rivers.

Safety notes

• Water quality: this is a minimally maintained, warm, slow-flowing spring. Algae grows in the pools. Keep your head above water, avoid soaking with open cuts and shower when you can afterwards.
• No help nearby: there is often nobody on duty and cell signal is poor. Tell someone your plans and carry water, food and a first aid kit.
• River: the Yampa is cold and fast in spring. Keep children away from the bank.
• Roads: gravel and clay roads can be rutted or muddy after storms. Drive slowly through cattle range.
• Heat: summer days on the high desert can be hot and exposed, with little shade outside the canopy.

History

People used these springs long before written records. The Craig Museum’s history column says Joseph Gardner claimed the site in 1880, making it one of the first private parcels in what is now Moffat County, and deeded it in 1882 to Major D.C. Oakes. Charlie Perkins leased the springs, built the first bathhouse and by 1905 had added a store, post office, hotel, dining room and a cable trolley across the river. The 1911 state business directory lists Juniper as a summer resort with a hot springs bath house, a hotel and a livery. A footbridge, cottages and an auto bridge followed in the 1920s and 1930s.

Stella Craig bought the springs in 1962 and ran a cafe famous locally for pies and Juniper Burgers, later turning it into a members-only club before closing it in 1993. A local group including Roy and Yvonne McAnally bought the property in 2007 and reopened it. Deterioration and vandalism forced the removal of the old buildings, and as of the museum’s 2019 article, restoration plans were still waiting to be carried out.

Nearby stops worth adding

Juniper Canyon, just downstream, is a popular put-in for floating the Yampa. Dinosaur National Monument to the west has river canyons, petroglyphs and the dinosaur quarry on the Utah side. If you want a more developed soak in the region, Old Town Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs is roughly 45 minutes east of Craig.