Rhodes Warm Spring

Park County, Colorado · Near Fairplay
39.1640°N, 106.0620°W · 10,172 ft
75°F 45°F air · Good soaking weather 10,172 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (2.9 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Rhodes Warm Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Rhodes Warm 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.

Rhodes Warm Spring sits above ten thousand feet in Park County, off Warm Springs Road. Fairplay is five and a half miles off, the nearest town and a close one. The water is only mildly warm. The 1976 sample is near neutral. Ownership and public access are not in the record.

Location

Warm Springs Road is a few hundred feet away; a short walk. This is very high ground, and the average temperature for the year is around freezing, with close to seven feet of snow. Precipitation is moderate. Horseshoe campground is about three miles away, the nearest camp given. Land unit: none given.

Midwinter is the season given. With the yearly average around freezing and that much snow, the approach in winter is a snow approach. Access is unrecorded. Horseshoe campground, three miles. The temperature is too low to count as a warm soak. Chemistry comes from a single July 1976 sample.

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 Rhodes Warm Spring.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the northwest.
Highest ground nearby
122 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northwest
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
171 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
13°
Jan
14°
Feb
22°
Mar
28°
Apr
37°
May
50°
Jun
55°
Jul
53°
Aug
47°
Sep
34°
Oct
22°
Nov
12°
Dec
Annual Precip: 20.3 in Annual Snow: 81.4 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 12°F · Water 75°F · +64° contrast
January Air 13°F · Water 75°F · +62° contrast
February Air 14°F · Water 75°F · +61° contrast
December offers 44°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
45°F
Mostly Cloudy WSW 24.9 mph 93% Good soaking weather
Today 66° Low 43° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 50% precip
Spring is +9° warmer
Wednesday 66° Low 46° Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 75% precip
Spring is +9° warmer
Thursday 62° Low 43° Showers And Thunderstorms 81% precip
Spring is +13° warmer
Friday 65° Low 39° Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 44% precip
Spring is +10° warmer
Saturday 62° Low 37° Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 38% precip
Spring is +13° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1976-07-15

The water at Rhodes Warm Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.5).

pH 7.5 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 32 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 21 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 7 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 15 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 2 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 20 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Horseshoe Campground 2.9 mi away

Overview Horseshoe Campground sits along its namesake creek near a grassy meadow among aspen, Engelmann spruce and Bristlecone pines in the San Isabel National Forest. Trees provide good privacy between campsites, which are located at the base of Sheep Mountain. Recreation Visitors enjoy the Limber Grove Trail, a 3-mile mountainside path that winds through 1,000-year-old limber pine with gigantic twisted trunks. Fishing or wading in Horseshoe Creek are also popular pastimes. Facilities The ca...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Very High Altitude Advisory 10,172 ft

Rhodes Warm Spring sits at 10,172 feet, well above 10,000 ft, where the air holds roughly 30% less oxygen than at sea level. Altitude sickness (headache, nausea, dizziness) is a real risk, especially when combined with the dehydrating effects of hot water. UV exposure is approximately 41% stronger than at sea level. Acclimate for at least 24 hours before soaking, drink extra water, and descend if symptoms worsen.

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Temperature
75°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 75°F (24°C)
Avg Air Temp 32°F
Above Ambient +43°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Warm Springs Road
Distance to Road 358 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Rhodes Warm Spring?
Rhodes Warm Spring has a water temperature of 75°F (24°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Rhodes Warm Spring located?
Rhodes Warm Spring is located in Park County, Colorado at 10,172 feet elevation, near Fairplay. Coordinates: 39.1640°N, 106.0620°W.
How do I get to Rhodes Warm Spring?
Rhodes Warm Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Warm Springs Road (358 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Rhodes Warm Spring?
Yes, Horseshoe Campground is located nearby (2.9 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Rhodes Warm Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 7.5 (slightly alkaline).
Sources: USGS NWIS, Wikipedia