Canon City Hot Springs

Fremont County, Colorado · Near Canon City
38.4330°N, 105.2610°W · 5,370 ft
104°F 64°F air · Good soaking weather 5,370 ft Roadside Camping nearby (12.9 mi)

Two miles or so out of Canon City, in Fremont County, Colorado, this one sits at about fifty-four hundred feet. Hot-tub level is where the recorded temperature lands, warm enough to stay put in. Nothing was written down about who owns it or who is allowed on it. There is a USGS site number, plus a sample taken in 1976 that came back mildly acidic with iron in it.

Location

Riverside Avenue is the road on record, about a hundred feet off, so the spring is at the roadside. Elevation is moderate, a bit over a mile up. The yearly average is mild, in the low fifties, with about three feet of snow each winter and moderate rain. Nothing is recorded for the land owner or the unit.

The record's season is December through February. Roadside, no walk. Sand Gulch Campground is about thirteen miles off, per the file. No fee appears. The reading is comfortable for a long soak, though nothing in the record says there is a pool to soak in. Access and ownership remain unknown; find out before you go.

Terrain

USGS hasn't flown a detailed laser scan here yet, so this view comes from aerial photos and older elevation data.

Aerial view of the ground around Canon City Hot Springs

The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the south.
Highest ground nearby
292 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the south
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from southwest to northeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
74 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 9% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
29°
Jan
31°
Feb
42°
Mar
49°
Apr
58°
May
72°
Jun
76°
Jul
74°
Aug
67°
Sep
52°
Oct
40°
Nov
28°
Dec
Annual Precip: 14.8 in Annual Snow: 38.9 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 29°F · Water 104°F · +76° contrast
December Air 28°F · Water 104°F · +76° contrast
February Air 31°F · Water 104°F · +73° contrast
January offers 47°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
64°F
Clear WNW 33.0 mph 42% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 76° Low 58° Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 25% precip
Spring is +28° warmer
Wednesday 82° Low 54° Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 68% precip
Spring is +22° warmer
Thursday 80° Low 59° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 70% precip
Spring is +24° warmer
Friday 82° Low 56° Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 21% precip
Spring is +22° warmer
Saturday 78° Low 59° Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 44% precip
Spring is +26° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1976-01-29

The water at Canon City Hot Springs is slightly acidic (pH 6.2). It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health), magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).

pH 6.2 Slightly Acidic
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 190 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 55 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 180 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 130 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 190 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 30 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Sand Gulch Campground 12.9 mi away

Overview With easy walking access to sport rock climbing routes in the popular Shelf Road Recreation Area, Sand Gulch Campground is a 31-site camping facility, open year-round. The campground is located 14 miles north of Cañon City at an approximate elevation of 6,400 feet and features spectacular views of the surrounding limestone cliffs.  Recreation Sand Gulch Campground offers sport climbers easy walk-in access to tall monolithic cliffs. Climbers can access Contest and Freeform Walls with...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 5,370 ft

Canon City Hot Springs sits at 5,370 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 21% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
104°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 104°F (40°C)
Avg Air Temp 52°F
Above Ambient +53°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Riverside Avenue
Distance to Road 102 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Canon City Hot Springs?
Canon City Hot Springs has a water temperature of 104°F (40°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Canon City Hot Springs located?
Canon City Hot Springs is located in Fremont County, Colorado at 5,370 feet elevation, near Canon City. Coordinates: 38.4330°N, 105.2610°W.
How do I get to Canon City Hot Springs?
Canon City Hot Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Riverside Avenue (102 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Canon City Hot Springs?
Yes, Sand Gulch Campground is located nearby (12.9 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Canon City Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 6.2 (slightly acidic).
Sources: USGS NWIS, Wikipedia