Are you in need of a restful getaway? Look no further than the natural hot springs of Texas. Known for its healing properties and stunning scenery, these hot springs are the perfect place to unwind and rejuvenate. And with the help of Texas Shuttle's transportation services, you can easily reach these hot springs and experience their soothing waters. Here are a few of the best hot springs in Texas to add to your list.
Barton Springs Pool
Located in Austin, Barton Springs Pool is a natural pool fed by underground springs. Austin travel guide The collection is open year-round and maintains a temperature of around 68 to 70 degrees, making it the perfect place to cool off in the summer and heat up in the winter.
Hot Wells of Bexar County
Once a popular spa resort in the early 1900s, the Hot Wells of Bexar County is now a historic site that features ruins of the former spa resort and hot springs. The hot springs are still accessible, and visitors can relax in the warm waters while taking in the historic surroundings.
Chinati Hot Springs
Located in the Chihuahuan Desert near Big Bend National Park, Chinati Hot Springs offers a remote and peaceful getaway. The hot springs are located on private property, but visitors can book a stay at the on-site cabins and enjoy access to the springs.
Balmorhea State Park
Balmorhea State Park is home to a natural spring-fed swimming pool that is one of the largest in the world. The pool maintains a temperature of around 72 to 76 degrees year-round and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Langford Hot Springs
Located in Big Bend National Park, Langford Hot Springs is a small natural hot spring that offers a peaceful and remote experience. Visitors can soak in the warm waters while taking in the stunning desert landscape.
The Gage Hotel Hot Springs
The Gage Hotel offers guests a private hot springs pool in Marathon, Texas. The pool is fed by a natural hot spring and provides a peaceful and luxurious experience.
With the convenience of Texas Shuttle's transportation services, visiting these hot springs has always been challenging. Texas Shuttle is a transportation company that offers reliable and affordable shuttle services in Texas. With a fleet of comfortable vehicles and experienced drivers, Texas Shuttle provides transportation to major airports, hotels, and tourist attractions across the state. They also offer private charter services for groups and events. With a commitment to safety, comfort, and convenience, Texas Shuttle is a popular choice for travelers in Texas. Book your ride today and get ready to relax and unwind in some of the best hot springs in Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the temperature of Barton Springs Pool throughout the year?
Barton Springs Pool maintains a consistent temperature of around 68 to 70 degrees, perfect for year-round relaxation.
Can I still visit Hot Wells of Bexar County and relax in the hot springs?
Yes, the hot springs at Hot Wells of Bexar County are still accessible, offering visitors a chance to soak in warm waters amidst historic ruins.
What makes Chinati Hot Springs unique compared to other Texas hot springs?
Chinati Hot Springs offers a remote and peaceful experience in the Chihuahuan Desert, with access available through on-site cabins.
How large is the natural spring-fed swimming pool at Balmorhea State Park?
Balmorhea State Park's spring-fed pool is one of the largest in the world, maintaining a year-round temperature of 72 to 76 degrees.
At a Glance: Comparing the Best Hot Springs in Texas
Not every Texas soak is the same. Some springs run genuinely hot, others are warm spring-fed pools better suited to swimming than soaking, and a few are historic sites where the atmosphere matters as much as the water. Here's a side-by-side look so you can match a spring to the trip you actually want:
| Hot Spring | Location | Water Temperature | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Langford Hot Springs | Big Bend National Park | 100+ degrees | Therapeutic desert soaking |
| Chinati Hot Springs | Chihuahuan Desert, near Big Bend | Cooler, around 70 degrees year-round | Remote overnight getaways |
| Barton Springs Pool | Austin | 68 to 70 degrees | Urban swimming, year-round |
| Balmorhea State Park | Toyahvale, West Texas | 72 to 76 degrees | Spring-fed swimming with mountain views |
| Krause Springs | Spicewood, Texas | Natural spring-fed pools | Hill Country family trips |
| Hot Wells of Bexar County | San Antonio | Historic site | History and photography |
If your priority is a true hot soak in therapeutic water, Langford Hot Springs inside Big Bend National Park is the standout — its water runs above 100 degrees, making it the closest thing to a classic hot springs experience in the state. If you'd rather swim than soak, Barton Springs and Balmorhea are the stronger picks.
Hidden Gem: Krause Springs in Spicewood
Most "Texas hot springs" lists focus on West Texas, but the Hill Country has its own beloved spring-fed destination. Krause Springs, located in Spicewood just off TX-71 west of Austin, is a family-run property where visitors can soak in any of the 32 spring pools. The property combines natural swimming holes with man-made pools, shaded by cypress trees, and it's a favorite weekend escape for Austinites looking to cool off during the long Central Texas summer. Because it sits on private land, it's worth checking current access details with the property before you go.
Pairing Krause Springs with an Austin itinerary is easy — the drive takes you through the rolling Hill Country, and you can build a full day around it with other stops. If you're flying in, our Texas Shuttle service can get you from the airport to your hotel or rental car without the hassle of downtown Austin traffic.
How to Plan Your Texas Hot Springs Trip
Best Time of Year to Visit
West Texas springs like Langford and Chinati are best visited between late fall and early spring, when desert temperatures are comfortable rather than punishing. Summer temperatures in the Big Bend region regularly climb well past 100 degrees, which makes soaking in hot water far less appealing — though the cooler spring-fed pools at Balmorhea and Barton Springs are exactly the opposite: at their best in July and August. Hill Country spots like Krause Springs shine from late spring through early fall.
In short: soak in the hot springs during the cooler months, swim in the warm springs during the summer, and you'll have a great experience in any season.
Getting There: Highways and Routes
Most of Texas's spring-fed destinations sit far from major airports, so planning your route matters:
- Big Bend National Park (Langford Hot Springs): Most travelers fly into El Paso or Midland and drive via I-10 and US-90 through Alpine and Marathon before turning onto US-385 toward the park entrance. The hot springs themselves sit along the Rio Grande near the historic Langford Hot Springs resort ruins, reached by a short trail from the River Road area.
- Chinati Hot Springs: Located in the Chihuahuan Desert near Ruidosa, this remote property is reached via FM 170, one of the most scenic drives in Texas, which winds along the Rio Grande between Presidio and Study Butte.
- Balmorhea State Park: The easiest spring destination to reach — it sits just off I-10 in Toyahvale, roughly midway between El Paso and Midland-Odessa, making it a classic road trip stop.
- Hot Wells of Bexar County: Right on San Antonio's south side along the San Antonio River, this historic site is simple to work into a city itinerary. Our Austin to San Antonio travel guide covers how to connect the two cities.
- Krause Springs: About 45 minutes west of Austin via TX-71, an easy half-day trip from the capital.
What to Pack
- Water shoes — many natural spring bottoms are rocky or silty
- Plenty of water; West Texas is genuinely arid, and hot water dehydrates you faster than you'd expect
- Sun protection: hat, sunscreen, and lightweight long sleeves for desert locations
- Swimsuits and quick-dry towels; several sites have limited facilities
- Cash or advance reservations where required — private properties like Chinati Hot Springs require booking on-site cabins in advance
Long drives across West Texas are part of the experience, but they're also exhausting after a day in the sun. Travelers flying into major hubs often use our shuttle services to bridge the gap between the airport and their first night's stay before picking up the road trip from there.
Beyond Texas: Hot Springs in Nearby States
Texas sits at the edge of North America's geothermal activity, which is concentrated in the mountain west. If a hot springs road trip has you hooked, several neighboring and nearby states offer world-class soaks within driving distance:
- New Mexico: The closest state for true hot springs, with well-known geothermal destinations along the Rio Grande Rift and historic spa towns famous for their mineral waters.
- Arizona: Naturally heated springs dot the state, particularly in the central mountains and along the Verde River, and desert resort towns have built entire spa cultures around geothermal wells.
- California: From desert hot springs near Palm Springs to riverside springs in the Sierra Nevada, California has arguably the widest range of soaking options in the country.
- Colorado: Home to some of the largest and most developed hot springs resorts in the nation, many clustered in the southern Rocky Mountains along I-70 and US-160.
- Montana and Wyoming: Geothermal features here range from roadside springs near Yellowstone to developed resorts that stay open through snowy winters.
- Tennessee and Virginia: The Appalachian region has its own historic mineral springs towns, where Victorian-era resorts once drew visitors seeking the same "healing waters" that made Texas's Hot Wells famous in the early 1900s.
The common thread: geothermal water requires volcanic or tectonic activity near the surface, which is why the western states dominate the map. Texas's springs, warmed by deeper geological forces, are fewer — which is exactly what makes the ones we have worth protecting and visiting.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Soak
- Hydrate before and after. Soaking in 100-degree water like Langford's draws heat out of your body slowly; drink water before you get in and take breaks.
- Limit long soaks. Fifteen to twenty minutes at a time is a sensible rhythm for hot water, especially in desert heat.
- Respect private property. Chinati Hot Springs and Krause Springs are on private land — book ahead and follow posted rules.
- Leave no trace. Natural springs are fragile ecosystems. Pack out everything you bring in, and avoid soaps or lotions in the water.
- Check conditions. Flash flooding along the Rio Grande can temporarily close riverside sites in Big Bend; check the National Park Service's current conditions page before driving out.
Ready to start planning? Browse more destination guides on the Texas Shuttle blog, and book your airport transfer so the only thing you have to think about is where to soak first.
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Hot Springs
Does Texas have real hot springs, or only warm springs?
Both. Texas has genuinely hot springs like Langford Hot Springs in Big Bend National Park, where water exceeds 100 degrees, as well as warm and cooler spring-fed pools such as Barton Springs in Austin and Chinati Hot Springs, which holds a comfortable 70-degree pool year-round.
Langford Hot Springs, located along the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park, is among the hottest in the state, with water temperatures above 100 degrees — ideal for a therapeutic soak.
Can you swim in Texas hot springs?
Yes. Several destinations, including Barton Springs Pool, Balmorhea State Park, and the spring-fed pools at Krause Springs, are popular swimming spots. The hotter springs like Langford are better suited to short soaks than lap swimming.
Do I need a reservation for Chinati Hot Springs?
Chinati Hot Springs is located on private property, and access is tied to booking a stay at the on-site cabins. Reservations are essential, and the remote location near FM 170 in the Chihuahuan Desert means you should plan supplies and fuel ahead of time.
Is Balmorhea State Park a hot spring?
Balmorhea is a warm spring rather than a hot one — its enormous spring-fed pool holds a steady 72 to 76 degrees year-round, which makes it refreshing in summer and surprisingly comfortable in winter.
What's the closest hot spring to San Antonio?
The Hot Wells of Bexar County sit within San Antonio itself. While the historic spa resort is now ruins, the site preserves the spring history and remains accessible to visitors interested in the area's geothermal past.
When is the best season to visit hot springs in Texas?
For hot springs like Langford, visit from late fall through early spring to avoid extreme desert heat. For swimming-focused springs like Barton Springs, Balmorhea, and Krause Springs, summer is the prime season.
