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Carson Hot Springs

Lake Tahoe, California

Family-friendly hot springs resort near Lake Tahoe with outdoor pools, private indoor soaking rooms and saunas, open daily on a walk-in basis.

Geothermal hot spring pool at dusk with steaming turquoise water and lit building
  • Outdoor hot spring pools with wooden water feature and mountain views in daylight
  • Carson Hot Springs photo 3
Photo: Gabby via Google

At a glance

Price
$
Hotel guests only
No
Adults only
No
Couples treatments
No
Walk-ins
Yes

Carson Hot Springs sits just outside the Lake Tahoe area in Carson City, built around natural hot spring water piped into both a shared outdoor pool and patio area and a set of private indoor soaking rooms. Saunas are included with every admission, and the whole place runs on a two-hour visit structure rather than an all-day pass.

Access is simple: no reservations are needed for the outdoor pools, and the private indoor rooms are handed out first-come, first-served, so walk-ins are the norm here rather than the exception. Pricing is tiered by age, with separate rates for adults, seniors, kids and infants, and there's a discount if you buy a 10-visit or 100-visit swim card instead of paying per trip.

This is a shared, family-oriented space rather than an adults-only retreat. Minors are welcome but must be directly supervised by a parent or guardian, and the common pool areas are meant for everyone on-site, so the property doesn't accommodate private parties, decorations or group celebrations in those zones. Alcohol and coolers aren't allowed poolside, though there's an on-site restaurant and brewery if you want a drink after your soak.

The hot springs run on a consistent schedule, open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day of the year, and management reserves the right to close individual pools during the day for cleaning or water conservation, so a specific pool's availability can shift. All guests sign a waiver at check-in before getting in the water.

Good to know

Do I need a reservation to visit Carson Hot Springs?
No reservations are required for the outdoor pools, and the private indoor rooms are first-come, first-served, so walk-ins are welcome.
How much does a day visit cost?
A two-hour outdoor pool session runs $18 for adults, with lower rates for seniors, kids and infants; adding the private indoor pools brings the adult rate to $32, and discounted multi-visit swim cards are also available.
What are the hours?
Carson Hot Springs is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, year-round.
Can I bring alcohol to the pools?
No, alcohol and coolers aren't permitted at the hot springs, but there's an on-site restaurant and brewery where you can drink.
Is this spa suitable for kids?
Yes, it's family friendly, though minors must be directly supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.

Details checked October 2, 2026. Prices and hours change; confirm before you go.

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