Cebolla Hot Springs

Hinsdale County, Colorado · Near Lake City
38.2720°N, 107.1000°W · 8,158 ft
106°F 46°F air · Good soaking weather 8,158 ft Roadside Camping nearby (7.6 mi)

Cebolla Hot Springs sits in Hinsdale County, Colorado, about twenty miles from Lake City, up at eighty-one hundred feet. The water is comfortably in soaking range. Public access goes unrecorded and so does the land owner. The USGS sampled the water in 1978 and found it slightly acidic with iron present; it has a site number.

Location

Ten Mile Springs Road passes within about a hundred feet, which makes this a roadside spring. High country. Winters bring upward of five feet of snow and the thermometer averages below forty across the year. Rainfall is moderate. Owner and designation are blank in the file. The record stops at the road; the ground beyond it is not described.

The listed season is winter, and with that much snow the road in is the thing to check. Roadside. Red Bridge Campground is about eight miles out. No fee shows. The water figures are from 1978. Access status is missing, so confirm who owns the land.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Cebolla Hot Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Cebolla Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Cebolla Hot Springs
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. 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 west.
Highest ground nearby
152 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from west to east, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
139 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 88% 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
15°
Jan
19°
Feb
27°
Mar
35°
Apr
44°
May
60°
Jun
64°
Jul
62°
Aug
55°
Sep
42°
Oct
26°
Nov
16°
Dec
Annual Precip: 15.9 in Annual Snow: 65.3 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 15°F · Water 106°F · +91° contrast
December Air 16°F · Water 106°F · +91° contrast
February Air 19°F · Water 106°F · +87° contrast
January offers 49°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
46°F
SW 21.6 mph 98% Good soaking weather
Today 72° Low 44° Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 44% precip
Spring is +34° warmer
Wednesday 69° Low 45° Showers And Thunderstorms 76% precip
Spring is +37° warmer
Thursday 67° Low 42° Showers And Thunderstorms 95% precip
Spring is +39° warmer
Friday 69° Low 39° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 74% precip
Spring is +37° warmer
Saturday 69° Low 37° Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 47% precip
Spring is +37° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1978-06-08

The water at Cebolla Hot Springs is slightly acidic (pH 6.4). It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health), magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), and sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration).

pH 6.4 Slightly Acidic
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 130 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 42 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 320 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 120 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 130 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 20 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Red Bridge Campground 7.6 mi away

Red Bridge Campground is a short distance off of the Silver Thread National Scenic Byway. You'll find public fishing access to the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, and access to the Lake Fork Spur scenic drive. Red Bridge Campground located on the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River and is a perfect place for someone to relax and fish. The campground has 7 campsites and 1 restroom. Each campsite has a parking spur, metal fire ring, and a picnic table. Potable water is not available at this campgr...

Stay limit 14 Day Stay Limit
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
High Altitude Advisory 8,158 ft

At 8,158 feet, Cebolla Hot Springs is in high-altitude territory where the air is noticeably thinner. Soaking in hot water accelerates dehydration and can amplify altitude effects like headache and fatigue. UV radiation is roughly 33% stronger here. Wear sunscreen even on overcast days and take breaks from the water to rehydrate.

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Temperature
106°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 106°F (41°C)
Avg Air Temp 39°F
Above Ambient +67°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Ten Mile Springs Road
Distance to Road 118 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Cebolla Hot Springs?
Cebolla Hot Springs has a water temperature of 106°F (41°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Cebolla Hot Springs located?
Cebolla Hot Springs is located in Hinsdale County, Colorado at 8,158 feet elevation, near Lake City. Coordinates: 38.2720°N, 107.1000°W.
How do I get to Cebolla Hot Springs?
Cebolla Hot Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Ten Mile Springs Road (118 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Cebolla Hot Springs?
Yes, Red Bridge Campground is located nearby (7.6 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Cebolla Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 6.4 (slightly acidic).
Sources: USGS NWIS, Wikipedia