A unique hot spring facility operated by the non-profit organization, Orient Land Trust.
Hot springs suitable for soaking are scattered throughout the vast land.
Unique Rules
Valley View Hot Springs is located east of Joyful Journey Hot Springs along State Route 17.
A dirt road stretching straight toward the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
It also leads to the Orient Mine, an iron ore mine that opened in 1880 and closed in 1932.
At the foot of the mountain, on a slightly elevated spot, there was a gate.
Get out of the car here and check in.
Orient Land Trust, the nonprofit organization operating Valley View Hot Springs, has introduced unique rules rarely seen at typical spa facilities, so advance preparation is necessary.
Walk-ins are $20.00, overnight stays are $40.00 (at the time of writing).
Due to strict daily guest limits, advance phone reservations are required.
For lodging, the pricing structure is complex.
Various lodging options, from campgrounds to cabins, are available at separate rates.
Due to visitor limits for nature conservation, summer reservations may be fully booked well in advance.
Non-members can only make reservations up to 24 hours in advance, so paying a donation to Orient Land Trust to become a member is practically necessary.
The longer the advance booking period available increases with higher donation amounts, but even the lowest tier, “Friend” ($35.00 at time of writing), allows booking up to one month in advance, which may be sufficient.
The most unique feature of Valley View Hot Springs is that clothing is optional on the premises.
Actually, when I drove through the gate earlier and entered the area, I was surprised to see people walking around naked on the dirt road.
They are not naked because they soak in hot springs; they have been naked long before that.
Natural Jacuzzi
At least seven soaking spots are scattered across the vast land.
Let's go through them one by one.
The closest pools to the community house Oak House in the old mining town where I stayed are the circular wading pool and the long, narrow swimming pool.
What struck me was the considerable amount of lukewarm water being poured into the swimming pool, accompanied by bubbles.
Behind the swimming pool, there was an indoor sauna and cold plunge.
Apple Tree was a consistently popular pool, with a relatively high temperature of 106 degrees F.
They were circular rock pools with a certain charm.
The pools beyond Apple Tree have gradually taken on the appearance of wild hot springs.
The soaking pool was located upstream along the warm water channel.
It was the second largest after the swimming pool, and its bottom was decorated with pebbles mixed with decorative luminous stones, creating a romantic atmosphere.
While a piping was exposed, the water primarily emerged from the ground at multiple points, with bubbles rising from several points.
Waterfall Pond was located in an inconspicuous spot south of the soaking pool along the mountain trail.
Water cascaded down in a small waterfall, lukewarm at 93 degrees F.
Meadow Pond was located further south from Waterfall Pond.
Walk along the boardwalk stretching through the thicket of shrubs.
Meadow Pond was also a lukewarm temperature perfect for long soaks.
Top Ponds are located particularly far away, requiring a steep climb of about 0.7 miles from the Soaking Pool.
I came to a high place overlooking the San Luis Valley.
The abundant torrential stream was dammed in three stepped tiers.
The water flowing was genuine geothermal water.
At the very top, the thermal water gushed out wildly from all around the base, as if it were boiling.
Previous pools were generally odorless, but here the scent of hot spring gases could be detected along with the geothermal heat.
Water temp at 109 degrees F.
The natural jacuzzi, awe-inspiring enough to evoke such reverence, was truly magnificent.
Summary
Valley View Hot Springs, Moffat, Colorado, U.S.
My rating
Type: Walk-in, Lodging
Rule: Clothing optional
Chemical use: No
Water temp: up to 109 degrees F
