Hot Springs in New York

List of Natural Hot Springs in New York

Map of Natural Hot Springs in New York

Guide to New York’s Natural Hot Springs

Many tourists flock to the Empire State to visit its fast-paced “City that Never Sleeps,” but those looking for relaxation should arrange a trip to one of New York’s hot springs. These natural waters are infused with minerals and provide several health benefits to visitors who interact with them.

Springwater locations have attracted people to them for centuries, even dating back to the tribes that lived in the area before it was developed into the busier areas today. While New York might not be the most well-known state for hot springs, a few are worth looking into near the Saratoga Springs area.

Saratoga Springs, NY

The city is known as the “Queen of the Spas” and spent a good portion of the 19th and 20th centuries as a health resort, having the only natural carbonated springs to the east of the Rocky Mountains. Even before the bathhouses and resort spa was constructed, the Mohawk people called this sacred region “Serachtague,” which translates to “place of swift water.”

Without these springs, there’s a good chance that the city would have never developed the way it did in the 1800s.

Tourism in Saratoga Springs took off in 1831 after the railroad was built through the area. People would come from near and far to drink and bathe in these miracle waters that had a reputation for healing ailments and improving medical conditions.

In 1863, Saratoga Springs also constructed the Saratoga Race Track, which is known as the oldest sports facility and race track in America. The Saratoga Spa State Park was established in 1962 and is one of the city’s biggest attractions, thanks to the many natural tasting springs and spa resorts.

Here are the places you will find mineral springs in New York and Saratoga Springs.

Accommodations with Soaking Springs

When you want to have overnight access to hot soaking tubs, consider one of these lodging options. Some of them also allow day-use sessions and services.

Medberry Inn & Spa

The Medberry Inn & Spa is located in Ballston Spa, just seven miles south of Saratoga Springs, and is open to day users or overnight stayers. The property is the only local establishment with its own hot water mineral source, the San Souci Mineral Spring, which travels beneath the foundation. Their on-site spa offers mineral bath soaks and a variety of other treatments like foot baths, facials, and massages.

Accommodations include guest rooms, suites, townhouses, and additional lodging at the inn’s sister site, the Apple Tree. Dining options and custom spa-day packages are also available.

Saratoga Turf & Spa Motel

This motel is set one mile from the heart of Saratoga Springs and has 43 comfortable, budget-friendly lodging options with access to a hot mineral spa and heated outdoor swimming pool. The spa is indoor, open year-round, and features two tubs that provide lots of hot bubbles to ease away tension in the body.

However, the swimming pool is only available from mid-May to mid-October. This relaxing retreat may have vintage characteristics, but they also possess modern amenities like WiFi, a TV with premium channels, and air conditioning.

Gideon Putnam Resort & Spa

The Gideon Putnam Resort & Spa is located inside the Saratoga Spa State Park and has luxurious lodging options. They also have a high-class spa with an extensive list of wellness treatments. At the on-site Roosevelt Baths & Spa, visitors don’t need to be guests at the resort to use the facility, but reservations are highly recommended due to their popularity.

There are 42 elegant treatment rooms at the establishment where spa-goers can get massages, facials, body treatments, soaks, or even schedule a yoga class or workshop.

One of the spa’s biggest highlights is its hot mineral baths, which can be booked in 40-minute sessions or used for 20 minutes when coupled with another service. The water temperature is kept at 97-100℉, and each tub is used by only one person at a time. Custom spa day packages are available and can be designed to include a soak.

Outdoor Springs

These outdoor mineral pools are ideal for anyone that would rather swim in refreshing water than soak.

Peerless Mineral Water Pool

Saratoga Spa State Park’s Peerless Mineral Water Pool complex is typically open from June to early September and has three areas. The main pool is about as big as a football field and is popular for its zero-depth entry and rubber bottom, making it easy for anyone to get into the water gradually.

There is also a one-foot-deep kiddie pool that features a fun mushroom fountain for the little ones to splash around in. Thrill-seekers can fly down the 19-foot slide and land in the third water area, a three-foot deep landing pool.

While it doesn’t cost anything to swim, there are fees associated with parking and entering the state park. Lockers, restrooms, changing rooms, and food and drink services are available on-site.

Victoria Mineral Water Pool

The Victoria Mineral Water Pool is also in Saratoga Spa State Park, located not too far from the Peerless Pool complex. This pool is smaller and has a distinctive arched promenade, lockers, a changing room, bathrooms, and services for food and drink. It’s known to be America’s first heated pool, although it is no longer heated. The swimming season is from June to early September, and fees apply to the state park and parking.

Tasting Springs

People who would rather drink minerals instead of soak in them are in luck. The town of Saratoga is home to 21 public sampling springs that are naturally carbonated and have their own unique flavors. No two springs are alike, and consuming them can bring many benefits like improving digestion and skin conditions.

Visitors can bring their own cups and create their ideal private tasting tour through town using a map of the springs.

Several of these springs are scattered throughout the town of Saratoga, and the others can be found inside the Saratoga Spa State Park. Even though the creek in the park is named Geyser Creek, there are no actual geysers in Saratoga Spa. The natural mineral waters come from spouters sourced by the Saratoga Fault that stretches the 65 miles between the towns Albany and Whitehall.

Whether you’re sipping, swimming, or soaking, visiting these New York mineral springs is sure to leave you revitalized and refreshed.

Learn more about what makes New York famous on our sister site, La Vida Nomad.

Nearby States