Electrician in Heat Springs, SC

A vacation isn’t a vacation without a little rest and relaxation. Whether you prefer to spend your time off summiting mountains, sampling local cuisine, or visiting historical sights, every good trip should include some uninterrupted R&R time. You can book a spa treatment or indulge in a lazy morning of room service in bed, but if you’re looking for something a little less subtle—and a little more unique—a visit to one of the South’s many natural hot springs might be in order.

Hot springs are one of Mother Nature’s greatest gifts to the world. When magma or hot rock deep in the Earth’s crust causes groundwater to reach a certain temperature, it often bubbles to the surface of the Earth in the form of hot springs. For thousands of years, people have been using hot springs for medicinal purposes, bathing, and even as supposed fountains of youth. And while we know a lot more about the science behind these natural wonders than we did before, one thing that hasn’t changed is our love for them. If you’re ready to feel fully restored by the mystical healing powers of a hot spring, check out these seven locations. Set in gorgeous scenic parks or built into stunning resort settings, these are the best Southern hot springs for a seriously satisfying soak.

01

Berkeley Springs, West Virginia

Located just 90 minutes from the Washington/Baltimore metro, this tiny West Virginia town has dubbed itself “America’s First Spa” thanks to its famous natural hot springs. Wade in the ancient stone pools at Berkeley Springs State Park, where spa services and soaking options abound. The Main Bathhouse’s private Roman Bath features 750 gallons of mineral water straight from the spring heated to 102 degrees. Once you’ve gotten a good soak in, be sure to explore the rest of the park to see more of the natural mineral springs and take in the gorgeous mountain views.

02

Warm Springs Pools in Hot Springs, Virginia

These historic hot springs in Hot Spring, Virginia, have been in use since at least 1761, when they were first opened to the public, and likely were used long before then. Today the springs are managed by the Omni Homestead Resort, who are committed to maintaining their historical integrity and keeping them in operation. After a $4 million renovation, the multisided bath houses are once again open to anyone looking for a historically good soak. Reservations are required, and guests can choose between gender-specific soaks, adult co-ed soaks, and family soaks for at a rate of $25 for 50 minutes.

03

3. Hot Springs, North Carolina

Choose between two places to soak in this small Western North Carolina town. The Hot Springs Resort and Spa features 100 acres of uninterrupted beauty. The resort pumps jetted hot tubs full of the famous mineral water and places them all along the tranquil banks of Spring Creek and the French Broad River, so you can reserve your own personal oasis by the hour. If you choose to stay on property, many of the cabins and suites come equipped with their own private mineral tubs. At nearby Broadwing Farm, you can choose to rent one of three cabins all equipped with a private mineral water hot tub.

04

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

For the quintessential Southern hot springs experience, put Hot Springs National Park in central Arkansas on the top of your Southern Wonders bucket list. The park is known for its stellar outdoor adventure thanks to its location in the Ouachita Mountains on the Ouachita River. But the biggest draw is the 4,000-year-old spring water found in its natural state. To experience the famous thermal water, pick between two in-park bathhouses: the Buckstaff Bathhouse and the Quapaw Bathhouse.

05

Big Bend Hot Springs in Big Bend, Texas

Known for its endless acres of mountainous desert terrain and otherworldly rock formations, Big Bend is a certified geological wonder that has been dazzling outdoor enthusiasts for more than 80 years. But when trail-worn Big Bend hikers want to take a load off, they all know exactly where to go. The park’s Hot Springs Historic District is home to a large outdoor hot springs tub that’s made by the remnants of the old Langford Bathhouse dating back more than 100 years. Visitors can throw on a swimsuit and sit for as long as they please in the pleasant 105-degree water.

06

Warm Mineral Springs Park in North Port, Florida

For a uniquely Florida hot springs experience, consider Warm Mineral Springs Park in North Port. The famous springs there take the form of a giant single pool that was formed 30,000 years ago by a giant sinkhole and measures 200 feet deep. Visitors can soak, swim, and even scuba dive in the deeply mystical waters. It’s the perfect place to bring the entire family for a day of fun in the sun with ever-pleasant 85-degree water to cool down in should you overheat.

Note: At time of publish, the park was closed for maintenance due to damage from Hurricane Ian with a projected reopening in March 2023.

07

Capon Springs and Farm in High View, West Virginia

This third-generation family-owned resort in eastern West Virginia is like summer camp for the entire family. With 4,700 acres of breathtaking scenery, a plethora of accommodations, and nearly every amenity and activity under the sun, there’s something for everyone at Capon Springs. To experience the restorative waters of Capon Springs, book an appointment in property’s Hygei Bath House & Spa, where you can choose from three soaking tubs, each featuring 102-degree water pulled directly from the natural springs.

On Thursday, a plump Punxsutawney Phil made his annual Groundhog Day appearance in front of hundreds of adoring fans to furrcast six more weeks of winter. It’s not exactly a bold prediction for the oversized squirrel: He has predicted a longer winter 78 percent of the time in his career. But you don’t need Phil, arguably the most famous “weather-forecasting” groundhog, to predict when the next season will arrive this year. (Also, he’s only right about 40 percent of the time.)

In many areas around the country, people can already see signs that spring is ahead of schedule. The arrival of these signals vary around the country, but the onset of warmer winter temperatures can push the development of plants and animals sooner in the season than normal.

The South typically experiences spring earlier than other regions, but even this year’s season is “20 to 25 days early” there, said Alyssa Rosemartin, an ecologist with the USA National Phenology Network, which tracks plant and animal observations through citizen scientists. “It’s never been that early before, so it is remarkable.”

Western Texas, southern Arkansas, southern Louisiana and eastern Mississippi are all experiencing their earliest spring in 40 years of records from the phenology network, although growth has slowed with a recent cold spell. Spring in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina arrived 1-2 weeks earlier than average.

In southern Louisiana, early signs of spring include flowering American elms, leaves sprouting from herbaceous thistles and a surge of pollen from bald cypress trees, said Julie Whitbeck, an ecologist at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. There and across the Gulf Coast, red maples have begun to bloom, with helicopter-like fruit decorating their branches with crimson.

Other places are also experiencing early springlike flourish, according to the phenology network. Red alder trees began budding in Oregon and British Columbia in January, its earliest appearance in 14 years of records. Tulip trees in Indiana are flowering more than a month ahead of schedule. Forsythias are breaking leaf buds in Maine, an event that hasn’t been observed on record before March. Quaking aspen trees in Minnesota are producing flower buds, which typically isn’t seen until mid-February to mid-April.

Data suggest these spring signals are the result of consistently mild temperatures since a pre-Christmas intrusion of Arctic air across the country. Many locations east of the Rockies experienced their warmest January on record, according to the Southeast Regional Climate Center. Average temperatures as much as 6 to 10 degrees above normal set records from McAllen, Tex., on the Rio Grande to Houlton, Maine, on the Canadian border.

Those extra degrees make a big difference for some plants and animals.

Heat accumulation is one of the main ways to predict life cycle transitions in plants and animals, according to the phenology network. Many plants and animals need to experience a certain level of sustained warmth to trigger budding or egg hatching, which researchers measure using “growing degree days.” Growing degree days essentially measure the warmth needed to allow an organism to grow.

For an early spring to arrive, it would mean the plants and animals experienced more warmth than usual, more quickly achieving their required number of growing days.

On the other hand, cooler temperatures could push back the development of plants and animals, as seen in California and Arizona, which are lagging about a week later than normal.

It’s not just plants responding to the early warmth — some animals are also already declaring an early spring. Gina Lloyd, citizen science coordinator at the Barataria Preserve south of New Orleans, said she began to hear the chorus of calls from frogs known as spring peepers in late January — sounds that denote the beginning of their breeding season and are associated with heavy spring rains.

“I’ve been seeing a lot more frogs than I usually do in January,” Lloyd said. Snakes, too.

This year’s early spring signs follow a larger warming trend in recent decades. Analysis shows winters are warming faster than any other season in the United States. Over the past 50 years, average winter temperatures have warmed by at least one degree Fahrenheit in every state; 70 percent have seen increases of at least three degrees. The length of winter is also shrinking across the globe, studies show.

“Climate change is increasing the chances of everything related to this: of warmer winters, of shorter winters, of earlier springs,” Rosemartin said.

(Side note: Phil should probably incorporate these climate findings moving forward. Based on Phil’s past predictions since 1887, he is more likely to predict a longer winter — forecasting an early spring only 15 percent of the time.)

Early plant growth and active animals could be vulnerable to bouts of severe weather in the winter season.

This winter, many of the same areas along the Gulf Coast where early spring emerged were rocked by severe January thunderstorms, which are much more common in March and April. The storms — fueled by abnormally warm gulf waters — spawned destructive and deadly tornadoes. The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center received 124 preliminary tornado reports last month, mostly in the South. The average January number is closer to 50.

Rosemartin said it’s possible that such destructive storms could bring more damage to budding plant tissues or branches that would otherwise still be dormant.

Still, research shows that while climate change is making winters warmer overall, intense cold snaps are still possible and winter could still bring frosty weather. Meteorological winter continues through the end of February in the Northern Hemisphere, and wintry weather can often occur even into March and April, when meteorological spring begins.

The first measurable snowfall of the season was observed early Wednesday along the Interstate 95 corridor, ahead of a brutal blast of cold expected in the Northeast on Friday and Saturday. In the southern United States, an intrusion of cold air is driving icy weather.

In Texas, winter storm and ice storm warnings covered most of the state on Wednesday, and temperatures were expected to remain below freezing for up to four days. It might not be clear until spring arrives in earnest what, if any, damage that might cause to early plant growth, said Courtney Blevins, Fort Worth regional forester for the Texas Forest Service.

“We don’t usually stay below freezing for more than a day or two,” he said. In past years, freezes have devastated crops that bud early in the South, driving fruit prices up.

In areas where mild January temperatures have kept the ground from freezing, that has allowed water to soak into soil and provide a growth signal for trees, Whitbeck said. It could also help protect those ecosystems from future cold snaps, she added. It takes longer to heat and cool hydrated soil than it does dry soil, so any drop in temperatures would need to be particularly harsh or lasting to freeze saturated ground.

In southern Louisiana, for example, there’s still a risk that such a harsh freeze could materialize. “The first three weeks of February are still fair game for a hard freeze,” Whitbeck said.

Even though there are signs of spring, winter may still bring some frosty weather. That’s a lot of nuance for a groundhog to predict.

Swimply — it’s like Airbnb for private pools. Whether you’re looking to beat the GVL heat or just make the most of summer, we’ve rounded up six ready-to-rent pools — from Greer to Easley — that are bound to suit your swimming style.

Hot Spring Oasis

40 guests max | $49.50 per hour for up to 5 guests ($55 per hour on weekends), $5 per hour, per guest after 5 guests | Greer

Not only does this pool have the option to be heated (hello, fall time dips), but it also features a grotto + bluetooth — perfect for synchronized swimming routines.

Aqua Oasis

25 guests max | $36 per hour up to 5 guests ($40 on weekends), $5 per hour, per guest after 5 guests | Spartanburg

Attempt the perfect dive off the diving board before settling in for a snooze in one of the adirondacks.

The Flamingo

40 guests max | $54 per hour up to eight guests ($60 on weekends), $5 per hour, per guest after 5 guests | Taylors

Not pictured: the outdoor kitchen with a grill + fridge, a sunroom with a bar, and a hot dog steamer, the ultimate summer cookout flex.

Inground Pool with Privacy

8 guests max | $30 per hour, $5 per hour, per guest after 5 guests | Fountain Inn

Bring your pup to play in the fenced yard while you enjoy a quiet pool day.

Backyard Oasis

20 guests max | $60 per hour, $5 per hour, per guest after 5 guests | Easley

Talk about the perfect way to slide into summer

Saltwater Pool with Bonus Hot Tub

15 guests max | $100 per hour, $5 per hour, per guest after 5 guests | Williamston

It may be hot this summer, but for those unseasonably cool late afternoons, sink into the hot tub.

Swimply provides street addresses in the confirmation emails after a pool is booked.

Thousands of years ago, our country’s earliest inhabitants used the nourishing powers of mineral water to heal a variety of ailments. Today, hot (or warm) springs are delightful places to relax, reconnect with nature, and nourish your body and mind. Soaking in spring water is reported to help with circulatory illnesses, increase oxygen flow, and alleviate muscle, joint, and skin issues. From lush resorts to rustic, small-town parks, here are five hot springs to check out.

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Located just outside of Asheville, this small NC town’s hot springs were first discovered by Native Americans, whose presence dates back nearly 5,000 years. Since 1778, the town has shared the benefits of its spring water with locals and visitors alike. The mineral baths have moved to several locations since the early 1800s, and you can still visit the ruins of a bathhouse from the 1860s. Whether you want to stay the night with a loved one or simply make use of the waters to relieve pain and stiffness, Hot Springs Resort & Spa offers immense relaxation, along with a selection of cabin and campsite rentals!

Book a 90-minute Signature Tub session, and you get a fire, robes, towels, and bottled water! Image: NC Hot Springs Resort & Spa via Facebook

Hot natural mineral water constantly flows through the jetted hot tubs from deep inside the earth. The resort has tactfully built the tubs into gorgeous wooden decks tucked away along the scenic Spring Creek and French Broad River. Open seven days a week, you can enjoy the mineral baths hourly, starting at $50 for two. Reservations are required, and you can plan your visit here.

Hot Springs, Arkansas, is home to Hot Springs National Park and a thermal springs “hot spot.” From 1880 until 1950, the town flourished as a health destination, peaking in 1946 when one million baths were taken. The development of modern medicine ushered a decline in bathhouse patronage, but Hot Springs’ “Bathhouse Row” continues to thrive today.

The massive indoor baths at Quapaw Baths & Day Spa are a popular spot on the row. After a day of sightseeing and exploring in the lively Hot Springs area, there’s no better way to unwind than in a world-famous mineral bath.

The Allegheny Mountains’ two main natural springs run through The Omni Homestead Resort. Since their discovery by Native Americans some 9,000 years ago, key Virginia figures like Thomas Jefferson have touted the water’s healing capabilities, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to the area each year. According to the resort, the United States Geological Survey determined that these springs are unaffected by changing seasons. They remain at a natural body temperature year-round and flow at an astonishing rate of 1.7 million gallons daily. The waters are packed with minerals but are also so crystal clear you can read a book through them.

You can visit the springs via the resort. Allegheny Springs is a two-acre water park fed by the area’s natural springs. Kids and kids at heart love the park’s two 100-foot water slides, 400-foot lazy river, large outdoor pools, stately 1904-built indoor pool, and cozy whirlpools. But the main attraction for relaxation seekers is the spa’s outdoor, naturally warm, spring-fed Serenity Garden Pool. It’s open year-round, so imagine cozying up in a corner of the pool with a hot tea and a book while snow falls around you.

Under two hours from Washington D.C., Berkeley Springs State Park is one of the most historic examples of ancient hot springs still open today. In 1730, the first European settlers learned about the ancient springs that had attracted Indian predecessors from Canada to the Carolinas. Word of the equally mystical and practical natural springs spread far and wide, and soon everyone was flocking to this holistic health mecca.

Within the small state park in the heart of town, you can plop into the idyllic Roman baths, rent a modern jacuzzi tub — both heated to 102 degrees — or swim in the outdoor pool filled with the legendary warm mineral water that flows from the springs at a constant temperature of 74.3 degrees. Today, the springs still discharge about 2,000 gallons of sparkling water per minute from five nearby spring sources.

According to TopHotSprings.com, Florida has 13 natural springs that range from warm (above 68 degrees) to hot (above 84 degrees), but it has dozens more if you count the cool ones, too! One of the warmest, oldest, and most magical of them all is Warm Springs Mineral Park.

A balmy 85 to 87 degrees year-round, it’s said that the immense sinkhole pool was used publically as far back as 30,000 years ago. Reaching 200 feet deep at some points, the spring continuously flows and refills nine million gallons per day. Swim, soak, scuba dive, or opt for a skin treatment or facial to take advantage of the water’s 50 nourishing minerals. It’s no wonder this place is crowned a “Fountain of Youth!”

These hot springs beckon us to ditch the cozy robe and submerge. May the pursuit of this age-defying and mind-calming mineral magic also spark some ancestral education and exploration of parts unknown!

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MADISON COUNTY, N.C. — There is only one place in North Carolina where you can experience natural hot springs. It’s in the western part of the state, and the town is called Hot Springs.

What You Need To Know

Hot Springs Resort and Spa offers mineral baths from a natural hot spring across the creek

The resort is one of many over the years. The first hotel and bath house was built in the early 1800s

The resort offers 17 outdoor bath houses with additional baths attached to their lodging

In the hills of Madison County are the sounds of bubbling water. It’s the home to Hot Springs Resort and Spa.

Heather Hicks is the manager at the resort. The spot holds a special place in her heart because she grew up in the county, and several generations of her family worked on the grounds.

“I grew up a steward of the water,” Hicks said. “I grew up on the French Broad River, which is a big place for whitewater rafting. So it was a natural progression for me to come here to Hot Springs to continue my stewardship.”

She loves this area because it has a sense of tranquility. There are no sounds of a bustling city but rather birds, water and nature.

“This is a beautiful natural setting,” Hicks said. “There are no chain restaurants and no stop lights. You can get lost in time in this town. It’s one thing I love about it, and our guests love about it.”“This is a beautiful natural setting,” Hicks said. “There are no chain restaurants and no stop lights. You can get lost in time in this town. It’s one thing I love about it, and our guests love about it.”

The resort features 17 outdoor hot tubs and additional lodging that also has attached tubs. The natural hot springs sit across the creek on a private part of the resort. Workers use an underground piping system to bring the water from the hot springs directly into the spa.

“Our spring is an artesian spring, which means they bubble up,” Hicks said. “It comes from about a half-mile underground. The water temperature there is about 110 degrees Fahrenheit. By the time it reaches the tubes, it’s 102 to 103.”

These mineral baths weren’t always located in the same spot. There were several locations since the early 1800s. On the grounds of the resort, visitors can see the ruins of a bathhouse from the 1860s.

“The bathhouse had eight 4-foot-deep, marble-lined tubs and guests came here for a 21-day convalescence program, soaking, healthy food, massage and maybe a golf game or two,” Hicks said.

That bathhouse was the fourth one built. Down the street, at the Hot Springs Welcome Center visitors can learn about the resort’s history. The first hotel was built in 1837.

“The warm springs hotel was an absolutely beautiful property with grand pillars,” Hicks said.

It was designed for exclusive guests and the elite class. It was one of many hotels on the grounds that burned down over the years. The area was also prone to floods and fires.

“I think that Hot Springs are a very special place,” Hicks said. “Mother nature is in charge of this town. The grand affluent hotels that didn’t allow everyone access to the water maybe didn’t go with the flow.”

Hicks says while they do charge guests to use the hot tubs, they tried to make them affordable and available to anyone who wants to soak.

“The water itself is fantastic,” Hicks said. “There is a huge allegiance from everyone who works here to take care of the water in this very special place and to tell the stories of the past. It’s part of our Appalachian heritage.”

Hot Springs Resort and Spa is open seven days a week. Minerals baths range in price starting at $50 for two people. Reservations are required ahead of time.