The Coolest Hot Springs in Texas for a Relaxing Soak

You’ll be feeling the Texas heat at these awesome hot springs in the Lone Star State.

From Barton Springs to Krause Springs, there are a good number of natural springs around Texas where you can beat the heat and enjoy swimming in cool waters. But what about when you’re looking for the opposite and are craving those steamy waters that’ll do wonders to soothe your weary body?

Well, the state might not be flush with options, but it does have a few excellent hot springs to check out. For anyone wondering why you would want to jump in hot water while in a state famous for its sweltering heat, just remember that Texas nights, especially in the desert, can get pretty chilly, and c’mon…everyone loves a good hot tub!

Whether you’re a hot springs aficionado and are looking for more places to check off your bucket list, or you’re simply an adventure seeker who’s always up to explore, here are the best hot springs in Texas.

1. Boquillas Hot Springs / Langford Springs

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If you find yourself in Big Bend National Park, unwind after a day of hiking at Boquillas Hot Springs, also known as Langford Springs. These hot springs are right next to the Texas-Mexico border, directly overlooking the Rio Grande. You can get there by driving to the end of Hot Springs Road and then hiking along the Hot Springs Historic Trail — with names like that it’s hard to get lost!

Nowadays, these springs are a popular spot to find campers and hikers enjoying a soak in the 105-degree water, but the history here goes way back — the area is even part of the National Register of Historic Places. In the early 1900s, homesteader J.O. Langford and his family moved here after hearing stories of spring that could cure all sorts of problems. Upon arrival, they immediately found they had neighbors when they saw that Cleofas Natividad and his family were already living and farming here. The place where you now sit and soak in the springs is actually part of their old bathhouse.

But even long before Langford and Natividad, people had inhabited the area for thousands of years, and evidence of that remains in the pictographs and petroglyphs you can still see today. Keep an eye out on your way to and from the water!

Related Read: The 8 Best Rivers to Float in Texas

2. Chinati Hot Springs

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Maybe you’ve heard of the Chinati Foundation in Marfa, but what about the Chinati Hot Springs in Ruidosa? About an hour and a half drive from Marfa, this spot is a little resort where you can leave all your worries behind and embrace the beauty and tranquility of the Chihuahuan Desert.

Back in the day, the property was owned by Donald Judd, the artist who the Judd Foundation in Marfa is named after. Chinati Hot Springs is not the easiest place to get to (Google Maps is notoriously unreliable for getting you here), but it’s the kind of experience you won’t soon forget.

To enjoy the hot springs, you have to make a reservation as an overnight guest. There are seven cabins on the property available to book. The accommodations vary in size from cozy abodes ideal for a romantic couples’ retreat to larger options where you can fit a family of four. Prices start at $150 a night and go up from there. You can even rent out the whole property if you want.

It may feel like you’re out in the middle of nowhere, but you won’t be roughing it. Chinati Hot Springs has amenities for guests like a community kitchen with gas and charcoal grills, mini-fridges in the rooms, and A/C and heat. What you won’t have is WiFi or good cell service, but that’s probably not what you need if you’re coming out here anyways, right?

Hikers will be in heaven since there’s a smattering of hiking trails across the property’s 600+ acres. Cyclists also have much to enjoy too since there’s little traffic around and great trails to tackle. But don’t feel the need to tire yourself out too much — those hot springs are beckoning you to slow down and relax.

3. Capote Springs

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Sticking to Presidio County, there’s the last spot on the list. Head southwest from Marfa and make your way to Capote Springs. But when we say “make your way,” some clarification is necessary. First off, the springs’ exact location is a bit of a secret, so don’t expect to just plug the destination into your GPS and find what you’re looking for. Second, and most importantly, these springs are on private land so there’s no way you’re getting in unless you happen to befriend the property owners. Sorry!

If any of you lucky suckers do manage to get access to this area, the springs aren’t the only natural wonder to enjoy. There’s something even more amazing: Capote Falls, which at around 180 feet tall stands as the tallest waterfall in Texas.