Cement Creek Hot Spring

Gunnison County, Colorado · Near Crested Butte
38.8360°N, 106.8250°W · 9,223 ft
77°F 52°F air · Good soaking weather 9,223 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (8.3 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Cement Creek Hot Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Cement Creek Hot Spring
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.

Cement Creek Hot Spring is tepid despite the name, a spring in Gunnison County, Colorado, about eight and a half miles from Crested Butte at over nine thousand feet. The water is warm to the touch and well short of a hot soak. Public access is not recorded, and no land owner is on record. A 1978 USGS sample found near-neutral water with iron and sulfate.

Location

A few hundred feet separate it from a road that the file lists without a name, so the last bit is on foot. This is high country with a hard winter: over eight feet of snow most years and a yearly average temperature in the mid thirties. Rain is moderate. Land unit and designation are not on file.

The record's pick for months is December through February. Against more than eight feet of snow, that is a call to check access before you try it. Short walk. One Mile campground sits about eight miles away in the file. No fee recorded. Tepid water does little for you when the air is freezing, so temper expectations. Ownership and access: both blank.

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 Cement Creek Hot Spring.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the west.
Highest ground nearby
362 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
173 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 2½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 97% 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
16°
Jan
19°
Feb
27°
Mar
33°
Apr
40°
May
53°
Jun
59°
Jul
57°
Aug
51°
Sep
37°
Oct
23°
Nov
15°
Dec
Annual Precip: 20.3 in Annual Snow: 100.6 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 16°F · Water 77°F · +62° contrast
December Air 15°F · Water 77°F · +62° contrast
February Air 19°F · Water 77°F · +59° contrast
January offers 44°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
52°F
Clear N 0.0 mph 87% Good soaking weather
Today 63° Low 43° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 48% precip
Spring is +14° warmer
Wednesday 62° Low 45° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 58% precip
Spring is +15° warmer
Thursday 60° Low 42° Showers And Thunderstorms 87% precip
Spring is +17° warmer
Friday 61° Low 39° Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 53% precip
Spring is +16° warmer
Saturday 61° Low 37° Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 29% precip
Spring is +16° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1978-06-07

The water at Cement Creek Hot Spring is neutral (pH 7.2).

pH 7.2 Neutral
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 79 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 21 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 39 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 83 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 17 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
One Mile 8.3 mi away

Overview One Mile Campground is located 18 miles from Gunnison, CO in the Taylor River Canyon. Visitors enjoy the area for its rafting, fishing and trail opportunities. Recreation The Taylor River can be accessed from the campground, and offers a calm stretch for rafting and kayaking. Anglers cast for rainbow and brook trout. The Fossil Ridge Wilderness Area is nearby. The Summerville and South Lottis trailheads provide access to the scenic, natural area. A number of off-road trails are fo...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
High Altitude Advisory 9,223 ft

At 9,223 feet, Cement Creek Hot Spring 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 37% stronger here. Wear sunscreen even on overcast days and take breaks from the water to rehydrate.

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Temperature
77°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 77°F (25°C)
Avg Air Temp 36°F
Above Ambient +41°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 429 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Cement Creek Hot Spring?
Cement Creek Hot Spring has a water temperature of 77°F (25°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Cement Creek Hot Spring located?
Cement Creek Hot Spring is located in Gunnison County, Colorado at 9,223 feet elevation, near Crested Butte. Coordinates: 38.8360°N, 106.8250°W.
How do I get to Cement Creek Hot Spring?
Cement Creek Hot Spring has Short Walk road access (429 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Cement Creek Hot Spring?
Yes, One Mile is located nearby (8.3 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Cement Creek Hot Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 7.2 (neutral).
Sources: USGS NWIS, Wikipedia