Rainbow Hot Springs
- Free
- 5.3 mi hike
Primitive pools on the bank of the West Fork of the San Juan River in the Weminuche Wilderness, about 5.3 miles up the West Fork Trail northeast of Pagosa Springs. Camping is allowed only at nine designated sites, campfires are banned near the springs, and the first mile of trail crosses private land. Pool conditions shift with runoff and storms.
The trail has been impassable since the October 2025 floods. West Fork Rd (FR 648) is closed to vehicles past the campground until Dec 31, 2028 unless lifted earlier, and the trail bridge won't be replaced before 2027.
- Price
- Free
- Nearest town
- Pagosa Springs
- Hike (one way)
- 5.3 mi
Plan your visit
Hours & season
| Season |
|
|---|
Tickets & booking
| Price |
|
|---|---|
| Access | Free public access |
| Booking |
|
On site
| Lodging | No |
|---|---|
| Camping nearby | Yes |
| Land manager | USFS |
Not stated by the land manager: swimwear, ages, dogs.
Soak responsibly
- Pack out everything, including food scraps and toilet paper. Use WAG bags where required.
- No soap, shampoo or sunscreen in the pools; rinse away from the water.
- Check permits and closures with USFS before you go.
- Keep groups small and give others space. Respect posted dog and camping rules.
Water temperature
This venue doesn't publish pool temperatures.
Mineral profile
Total dissolved minerals
161 mg/L
Lightly mineralized · Sodium–sulfate (sodium sulfate water)
- Temp at source
- 104°F
- Fluoride
- 2.2 mg/L
- Boron
- 0.05 mg/L
- Iron
- 0.08 mg/L
Lab analysis of the source water at “Rainbow Hot Spring” (0.2 mi from Rainbow Hot Springs), sampled 1975 by the USGS and partners (data). Pool water may be cooled, mixed or treated, and spring chemistry is generally stable over decades. We report measurements only; we don't make health claims.
What's here
- Weminuche Wilderness
- West Fork Trail #561
- first mile crosses private land - stay on trail
- camp only in 9 designated sites
- group limit 15 (25 with stock)
- no campfires near the springs
- no camping within 100 ft of water
- no bikes
- pools change with high water
Getting there
| Elevation | 9,560 ft |
|---|---|
| Road |
|
| Hike | 5.3 mi one way |
| Trail |
|
| Parking | Small, free trailhead lot that fills early in summer |
Things to do near Pagosa Springs
Campgrounds
- West Fork Campground 5.1 mi
- Primitive Camping6.7 mi
- Big Meadows Campground8.4 mi
- Pass Creek Dispersed Campground9.8 mi
Trailheads
- Cimarrona14.7 mi
Straight-line distances. Campground and trailhead data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Nearby springs
Overlook Hot Springs Spa
A downtown Pagosa Springs bathhouse in a historic building with indoor tubs and rooftop soaking tubs overlooking the San Juan River. It also has a cold plunge, sauna, a bookable private tub room and massage. It tends to be quieter in the morning and busier in the evening.
The Springs Resort
A large riverside resort in downtown Pagosa Springs whose 47 terraced pools draw from the Mother Spring. General admission covers 25 original pools including an adults-only terrace, and a pricier wellness pass adds newer pools, a halotherapy sauna and a mud studio. Overnight guests get round-the-clock soaking.
4UR Ranch
A historic guest ranch near Creede at the old Wagon Wheel Gap hot springs, offering natural hot springs and a geothermally heated pool to its guests. Stays are packaged with fly fishing, riding and children's programs. There is no public day access.
Overlook Hot Springs Spa: 17 mi · The Springs Resort: 17 mi · 4UR Ranch: 18 mi
Sources (8)
· checked November 2026
Prices, hours and rules are checked against the official site and land-agency pages. Spot something out of date? Let us know.