Dunton Hot Springs

Dunton Hot Springs

Travel to Dunton Hot Springs for soothing soaks and San Juan Mountain adventure in a silver-boom ghost town turned luxury hot-springs retreat. You’ll find it just across the mountains from Telluride (it’s about a two-hour drive).

Dunton Hot Springs’ all-inclusive getaways include farm-to-table meals and stylish stays in redone former mining cabins that ooze Western decadence. You can soothe your travel-weary bones in five different calcium-bicarbonate-infused hot-springs pools, or join a custom-made adventure activity like fly-fishing, heliskiing, sleigh rides, dog sledding, fat biking and much more. The ghost-town resort borders national forest land on one side and the west fork of the Dolores River on the other.

What makes it special?

It’s Dunton’s cool-mining history, of course — not to mention the refurbished cabins that’ll make you feel like you’re traveling back in time to an Old West version of the Shire. Dunton was established in 1885 as mining camp and, by 1918, it was no more due to its isolation and lack of a rail line. So, this place really feels like a remote mining town, but with all the trappings of a luxury hotel.

Dunton Hot Springs
Dunton Hot Springs
Dunton Hot Springs

The most “Colorado” thing about this place

Dunton takes its sustainability efforts very seriously, and even makes its own candles using essential oils and vegetable wax. The property is completely powered by renewable energy, plus organic waste is either composted or fed to the clucking chickens at the nearby Bountiful Ridge Farm. All the resort’s delicious yogurt, cheese and cream cheese is made in house to limit plastic use.

Coolest amenity

Clamber into Dunton’s own snowcat and head to 10,000 feet for some private cross-country skiing (or snowshoeing) on a 5-kilometer trail designed by Olympic Nordic skier Wendy Wegner. These startling, snowcapped views are all for you as you zip along on your turbo sticks. See all the Dunton Hot Springs experiences here.

Dunton Hot Springs

Most unexpected amenity

The restored 19th-century bathhouse’s indoor/outdoor setting is pretty astonishing to behold. Dip yourself in the steaming, opalescent waters at sunrise or sunset to watch the sky glimmering in dazzling shades of violet, fuchsia and creamsicle. 

You can soak indoors under the angular roof of the bathhouse, gazing through a grand wall of windows, or walk the flagstone path to the toasty pool hugged by tall grasses and a potpourri of white and yellow-gold blooms. The structure itself is a mix of rustic and luxe wrapped in weathered-wood-plank siding.

Top sensory encounter you’ll experience

A trip to Dunton’s spa means your senses will be lavished no matter the treatment. Book an herbal-poultice massage for limb-lengthening relaxation along with scents of lemongrass, sweet basil and lime. Or bring the whole family for some much-needed Zen with a private yoga session.

Dunton Hot Springs

Room with the best view

It’s gotta be Well House. You’ll appreciate the view and convenience of your very own indoor hot springs and cold plunge right from your bed.

Our favorite traveler review

“We had a wonderful opportunity to visit Dunton Hot Springs this last weekend and, let me tell you, it was everything and more than we expected! The remoteness of this property makes for a very unique trip into the mountains. The staff is beyond friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable. The simple yet well-thought-out preset menu for lunch and dinner made things very simple for us and allowed us to try things we might never have though to try. The food is so fresh, and we love that they source and support local! There is a lot of care that goes into creating the dishes that they serve. We stayed in the Bjoerkmans cabin, which was so cozy and inviting. During our stay we got a good amount of snow, which really set the mood for this location and it was so beautiful! This place felt like home the minute we arrived, and we cannot wait to return!” — Kacey H., Tripadvisor

Dunton Hot Springs
Dunton Hot Springs
Dunton Hot Springs

Things to see & do nearby

Dunton Hot Springs may be slightly off the beaten track, but there’s plenty to do within a few hours.

Be sure to pause in Rico, just an hour and a half away, especially if you’re doing a side trip to Telluride. This lil’ goldmining pitstop offers all sorts of boomtown relics to help you imagine what once used to be. Stop for a creamy coffee drink at Fireweed Cafe and Mercantile while you’re there.

Then continue on to Telluride, another lil’ town with Gold and Silver Rush roots. This one, however, is known internationally for its craggy mountain views, powdery ski terrain and vibrant summer festival scene.

 

Photos courtesy of Dunton Hot Springs

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