Penny Hot Springs, Natural hot spring in Pitkin County, Colorado.
Penny Hot Springs are natural thermal pools located on the west bank of the Crystal River in Pitkin County. The water collects in several basins that are contained by strategically positioned rocks to prevent the influx of cold river water.
A man named Dan Penny built a hotel and bathhouse near these springs in the early days to serve railroad travelers passing through. The original structures disappeared in the 1960s when local residents destroyed them.
The springs transformed from a private establishment to a public space in 1991 when Pitkin County acquired the land and integrated it into their Open Space program.
The pools can hold up to ten people and measure about 20 feet (6 meters) across with a depth of about 2 feet (60 centimeters). You can adjust the temperature by moving the rock walls to control the mix of warm and cold water.
The granite cliffs of Hell's Gate frame these springs on both sides of the Crystal River, creating a distinctive geological backdrop. This remarkable setting adds a special dimension to the bathing experience in this natural setting.
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