Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa

Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa sits in the Animas Valley, about 8 miles north of downtown Durango and 15 miles south of Purgatory Ski Resort. The draw is the water: 32 separate hot springs mineral pools split between family-friendly and adults-only zones, plus 2 cold plunges, a 25-meter resort-style swimming pool, a reflexology walking path, and a mineral water rain tower. The pools are fed by naturally occurring mineral water that the resort says has no sulfuric smell, and the system infuses the water with nano- and micro-meter oxygen bubbles for added cleanliness without chemical treatment.

For those who want more than a soak, there are 5 optional private Japanese-inspired cedar Ofuro tubs for a quieter, separate experience, and a spa menu of 17 treatments covering massage and other therapeutic services. Day passes are available, so a visit doesn't require booking a treatment or staying on-site, though reservations are recommended given the resort's popularity.

The property is open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. It welcomes both families and adults-only soakers thanks to the split between the two pool categories, and it's positioned as a moderate-priced stop for a few hours of soaking or a half-day spa visit while in the Durango area. English is the primary language spoken on-site.