There are few things I enjoy more than exploring a new corner of the world. I love new views, new experiences, and new cultures, so I tend to jump on that “next new thing” whenever I get the chance to travel. Now don’t get me wrong: my return list is just about as long as my bucket list. But I rarely actually set aside time to go back to someplace I’ve been before, with one exception…Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort.
I have been to Mount Princeton 5 times now, and each trip has been better than the last. Somehow, even though I stay in the same place, I still find new views and experiences. And honestly, there’s some pretty diverse culture there, too, between the ghost towns and Old West vibes.
So, in honor of that 5th trip I just completed in October, here are 5 reasons I keep going back to Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort—and why it might become your favorite Colorado stay, too.
Quick Note: This post is kindly sponsored by Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, who also loved the fact that I keep coming back. But as always, all opinions in this post are my own. This post may also contain affiliate links. If you click one of these links, I will likely receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. In some cases, you will actually receive a discount for booking through my links. These are just easy ways to help support the blog while booking the stays and experiences you already want to do! If you have any questions, feel free to contact me or check out my privacy policy page for more details.
1. The All-Natural Hot Springs
You will rarely find me at the ocean or even an unheated pool. But offer me a crystal-clear water source with no waves, natural heat, and panoramic mountain views, and I’ll be happy all day!
Now, I’ve been to my share of hot springs, including some in Iceland. While I definitely enjoyed them, I think Mount Princeton tops all my experiences in a few ways.
First, the hot springs are non-sulfurous, which means there’s no stinky egg smell ruining your day. They’re also easier on your hair, which can get really dry with high sulfur content.
Second, they have so many beautiful springs to choose from. My favorite is definitely the infinity-edge pool, with its incredible views of the chalk cliffs. But that’s closely followed by the Japanese-style cascading pools, which are basically all-natural hot tubs, and the Creekside hot springs, where you literally customize your heat level between the fresh creek water and natural geothermal vents along the creek bed. But they have several more “pool-style” hot springs, and one even has a double water slide!
Because everything is naturally heated, these hot springs stay toasty year-round, including the coldest winter months. They’re the perfect place to settle in for a cozy day while you enjoy a smoothie from the spa or read a good book.
2. The Wildlife
I’d be lying if I said the Colorado wildlife wasn’t a huge draw for me. In fact, pretty much anywhere I go, I’m looking for a way to (respectfully) see the local wildlife. Thankfully, I’ve seen something new pretty much every single time I’ve gone back to Mount Princeton.
The actual resort property is a hot spot for deer in the mornings and evenings. But venture just a few minutes down the road, and you’re likely to see elk, antelope, prairie dogs, and even moose! If you’re lucky, you might even see bighorn sheep.
And don’t even get me started on the chipmunks over at St. Elmo. If you’re willing to drive about 20 minutes from the resort and drop $0.50, you can get a full-on Disney Princess moment with some local chipmunks who have no problem eating straight from your hand.
3. The History
Speaking of St. Elmo, the area around the resort has some fascinating local history tied to the gold and silver rushes of the early 1800s, frontier ranching, and railroad communities. The coolest part is that so much of it is preserved.
St. Elmo is one of Colorado’s best-preserved ghost towns, and you can walk its dusty streets to see what’s left of the community that once housed the bustling Mary Murphy gold mine. Nearby towns like Buena Vista and Salida have rich railroad history, regional heritage museums, and downtowns that look straight out of an old western film.
And then there’s the actual resort, which dates back to the late 1800s. Pioneers, Ute Indians, and miners used the waters long before then. The first official resort opened in 1879 and has grown over the decades to cover 70 acres and offer 7 beautiful hot-spring experiences.
4. The Food
I always say it’s not fair that a place that expects you to wear a swimsuit makes food that tastes so good! I’ve been privileged to try several of Chef Evan’s menus at the Mary Murphy Steakhouse across the seasons, and it never disappoints. In fact, this is the only place I’ve cried over how delicious a meal was. I think that speaks for itself.
Breakfast & Lunch
The Mary Murphy Steakhouse at Mount Princeton serves up 3 daily menus based on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Breakfasts include loaded omelets, fluffy French toast, deconstructed avocado toast, and more. There’s a great mix of healthy and downright delicious. But do not miss the potato rounds. I could eat those every single day. Lunches vary widely, with everything from handhelds to hearty pastas, wings, salads, and soups. It’s always a surprise to see what’s on the menu, and it’s always beautifully plated.
Dinner & Dessert
But dinner is where the menu really shines, thanks to the high-quality cuts of meat. I’ve had everything from a Tuscan herb-rubbed, bone-in bison ribeye (the one that made me cry) to an elk ribeye, Black Angus strip steak, duck confit, an unbelievable apple-bourbon pork chop, and juicy prime rib. Everything is seasoned and marinated to perfection, and the sides are always fresh and delicious.
Oh, and the desserts—divine! The chef always has something new, even if it’s just a seasonal twist on a classic. I’ve tried several delicious takes on bread pudding, crème brulee, and cheesecake. And there always seems to be some rich chocolate cake that I eat way too much of.
Out of 5 visits (including one where I tried every non-fish item on the menu), I’ve only had one meal where I didn’t like something.
(Maybe this should have been point #2, lol)
5. The Views
Last, but certainly not least, I keep going back for the views.
Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort is tucked into a little valley, surrounded by the Collegiate Peaks. Nearly every angle of the resort offers a mountain view, from spectacular white chalk cliffs to rugged, tree-speckled peaks. And they’re all so dramatic, but in the best way.
The best part is, you can enjoy so many of these views with no effort—from your cabin’s porch, while soaking at the Relaxation Pool, chilling on the edge of the Infinity-edge pool, or eating a meal on the Mary Murphy Steakhouse Patio.
Drive 10-45 minutes in almost any direction, and you’ll find even more incredible panoramic vistas. The area around Mount Princeton is full of gorgeous overlooks and scenic drives, so definitely carve out time to explore. Chalk Lake, Cascade Falls, and Wrights Lake State Wildlife Area are a few of my favorites within a 15-minute drive.
I also highly recommend driving to Cottonwood Pass and taking the short hike to the West Lookout. If you’re willing to drive a bit further, Twin Lakes is absolutely beautiful, and the nearby Independence Pass leading to Aspen has some of the most dramatic roadside views I’ve seen.
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Closing Thoughts on Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort
As I said before, it takes a lot to bring me back to the same place more than once. But Mount Princeton keeps giving me reason after reason to come back. It’s not only an amazing place to stay, but also the perfect “home base” for all sorts of Colorado adventures.
I’ll be covering more about those soon, too. There’s plenty to do nearby in all four seasons, from horseback riding, biking, and hiking to snowshoeing and skiing. So stay tuned for more, and subscribe if you’d rather have it effortlessly delivered to your inbox!
As always, thanks for stopping by to read this post. I hope you enjoyed it. If so, please take a moment to save it, share it with someone who needs to visit Mount Princeton Hot Springs with you, and check out some of my other Colorado posts while you’re here!
Until next time, happy travels!
