Right now in early spring is a wonderful time to visit hot springs in Colorado. It is still cool during the day, making it comfortable to be active outside, and cold at night so that you can enjoy the contrast between the outside air and the steaming waters of the hot springs, where you can relax and let your muscles soak from a great day in the mountains.

Recently my sister, mother, and I decided to go Cottonwood Hot Springs just outside of Buena Vista Colorado. The drive from Denver took just over two hours and it was one of the most awe inspiring drives I have ever been on. Along the way are intermittent signs warning of elk and bighorn sheep in the area. If you pay close attention, you can see bighorn sheep standing just above the highway on the rocks, as we did on the way home.

You drive toward the Sangre De Cristo Mountains on the way to Buena Vista. They are rugged severe looking mountains and I was excited to realize, as we neared the hot spring, that our destination sat right at the foot of these amazing mountains.

Cottonwood Hot Springs is about 5 miles outside of Buena Vista. It is easy to find. You take a left at the only stop light in town and Cottonwood will be down the road on the right. After reading about other Colorado springs in books and on the internet I feel that what makes Cottonwood different is the intimate cozy atmosphere that retains its natural feel both in the pools themselves and its location. It's nestled directly at the feet of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains so that while soaking in these outdoor pools you can look up at the mountain side watching for animals or star gaze through the steam at night.

These pools are also notable for their natural keeping. Many hot springs treat their water with chemicals such as chlorine. While browsing the shop in the attached lodge, I chatted with a man who works at the springs and he was very proud of the fact that they don't treat their water with any chemicals. Nothing is added- you get to soak in the real thing. He also told me that the water is piped into the pools without any pumps. It all runs on gravity. The source is 400 feet away from the pools where the water comes out at 120 degrees. It then runs through the pipes to the pools where it ranges from 94 degrees to 110 degrees.

In order to keep the pools clean, since they do not treat the water, they are drained and scrubbed once a week and twice a week in the summers. This way they stay clean without compromising the water itself.

Cottonwood also provides spa services from massages to ear candling. Their web site details these services and will tell you which ones are available at what time, so you may want to get in touch with them if you are wanting something in particular during your stay.

We stayed the night in the small lodge that houses the office out of which the springs are run. When staying at the lodge, your admission into the springs is also covered by your room fee, which was very reasonable, even for a girl on a budget. The wonderful part is that the pools are open 24 hours a day, so if you stay at the lodge, you can be in them as much as you would like at anytime of the day or night.

My favorite time was after dark. The pools had less people in them, and there were no children around (they are asked to leave at dark) so the atmosphere was peaceful and with only the low tones of quiet conversation and a feeling of communion with the quiet beauty around you. It is a way to star gaze that you will not forget for a long time.

While staying at Cottonwood Hot Springs you are just a few minutes drive from the Arkansas River and a very small town, but one with numerous cafes and at least one restaurant that I know from experience is delicious. It is called Buffalo. The menu changes daily. My mom had the fish, chips, and clams, I had manicotti and my sister had lasagna. Everyone enjoyed their food very much and the atmosphere was lodge style with a Buffalo head on the wall and a rustic but classy bar area.

The next morning we had brunch at Bongo Billie's cafe which had a full espresso bar, pastries that tasted home-made, and lunch sandwiches. It was a small place that our server from the night before recommended and sits facing the mountains with outdoor seating to enjoy the view.

Cottonwood Hot Springs makes a perfect two or three day retreat, but if you have the time, stay longer. There are hiking and biking trails up into the mountains as well as kayaking on the Arkansas River that runs alongside the town. Don't go for luxurious lodging or shopping. Go for the peace and the closeness with the outdoors and you will find just what you seek.