6 Best Hot Springs in Virginia (2026 Guide + Historic Gems)

Discover the therapeutic wonders of Hot Springs in Virginia, where centuries-old mineral springs meet Allegheny Mountain charm. The legendary Warm Springs Pools, historic Omni Homestead Resort, and elegant Omni Bedford Springs Resort stand as Virginia’s most celebrated thermal destinations, featuring naturally heated waters at a constant 98°F. 

Hot Springs in Virginia have attracted wellness seekers since colonial times, with Thomas Jefferson himself praising their healing properties. These timeless retreats blend historic architecture with modern spa amenities. Through my detailed exploration at Soak Destinations, I’ve curated this guide to help you experience Virginia’s finest natural spring destinations.

1. The Omni Homestead Resort (Natural Retreats – Hot Springs, Virginia)

• Location: 7696 Sam Snead Highway, Hot Springs, Virginia 24445
• Cost: Room rates vary; contact resort for current pricing
• Water Temperature: Natural hot springs at 98°F; various pool temperatures throughout the resort
• Weather / Best Season: Year-round operation; each season offers unique activities from skiing in winter to golf in summer
• Review: 4.3 / 5
• Official Website: https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/homestead-virginia 
• Phone: (540) 839-1766 

Built in 1766, The Omni Homestead Resort is America’s oldest resort, designated a National Historic Landmark. Set on 3,000 acres in the Allegheny Mountains, this luxurious property has hosted 24 U.S. presidents and offers world-class amenities including natural hot springs, championship golf courses, a full-service spa, and Virginia’s oldest ski resort founded in 1959.

Luxury Accommodations

The resort offers 483 guest rooms including 88 spacious suites. Rooms feature elegant Southern-style decor with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, plush featherbeds, and down pillows. Suites include living rooms, private porches, fireplaces, and some feature soaking tubs or kitchens. Each guest wing has a distinct color palette embracing traditional Southern hospitality.

Natural Hot Springs and Wellness

Guests enjoy access to multiple hot springs experiences including the Serenity Garden with an infinity pool and reflexology walk, a spring-fed garden pool, and the nearby Warm Springs Pools (shuttle provided). The resort’s mineral waters have been celebrated for their therapeutic properties for over 250 years. The full-service spa offers massages, facials, and treatments incorporating the healing mineral waters.

World-Class Amenities

The resort features two 18-hole championship golf courses (the area produced 82-time PGA Tour winner Sam Snead), tennis courts, an indoor pool, a two-acre water park with lazy river and slides, The Homestead Ski Area, horseback riding, fly fishing, archery, zip-lining, falconry, hiking trails, an indoor movie theater, and lawn games. Guests can enjoy six full-service restaurants ranging from casual to fine dining, including Jefferson’s Restaurant with farm-to-table cuisine.

Resort Fee and Services

A resort fee covers Wi-Fi, shuttle service to attractions, fitness center access, and nightly movies. Valet parking is complimentary. The resort is pet-friendly for dogs with associated fees. The property underwent a complete $150 million renovation from October 2021 to October 2023, enhancing its historic charm with modern comforts.

2. Falling Springs Falls

• Location: US-220, Hot Springs, Virginia 24445 (approximately 5 miles past Covington, 12 miles from Clifton Forge)
• Cost: Free admission
• Water Temperature: N/A (waterfall viewing site, not for soaking)
• Weather / Best Season: Year-round; spring offers highest water flow, fall provides stunning foliage
• Review: 4.7 / 5

Falling Springs Falls is an 80-foot waterfall cascading over a rock face into the valley below, creating one of Virginia’s most photographed natural wonders. Though not a hot spring, this scenic attraction is located in Virginia’s historic hot springs region and has been celebrated since Thomas Jefferson described it in his 1781 book Notes on the State of Virginia.

Presidential and Historic Significance

In 1771, King George III granted 82 acres including Falling Spring Falls to Gabriel Jones. Governor Thomas Jefferson later gave the property to Major Thomas Massie in 1780. Jefferson visited the site and wrote eloquently about “the cascade dropping over the rock into the valley below,” helping establish its reputation as a must-see Virginia landmark.

Modern Conservation

On November 28, 2004, Mead Westvaco donated the falls and 19 surrounding acres to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Today, Douthat State Park maintains the area, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

Directions from Nearby Attractions

From Douthat State Park, follow VA-629 to US-220 and head north for approximately 15 miles. The waterfall is clearly visible from the roadside viewing area. Visitors staying at The Omni Homestead Resort or exploring Warm Springs Pools often include Falling Springs Falls as part of their itinerary to experience the natural beauty of Virginia’s Allegheny Highlands.

3. Warm Springs Pools

• Location: 11 Bath St, Warm Springs, Virginia 24484
• Cost: $35 per person (Monday–Thursday); $40 per person (Friday–Sunday and major holidays); $25 for Bath County residents with ID
• Water Temperature: Constant 98°F (37°C) year-round
• Weather / Best Season: Year-round; winter offers fewer crowds and a unique experience of soaking in warm water surrounded by crisp mountain air
• Review: 4.6 / 5

Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10 AM–6 PM; closed last Monday of each month for maintenance

The Warm Springs Pools are historic spa structures in Warm Springs, Virginia, featuring naturally heated 98°F mineral-rich water flowing constantly into octagonal and multi-sided bathhouses. 

Originally called “Warm Spring Pools” before briefly changing to “Jefferson Pools,” the name returned to its original in 2021. These pools hold 40,000 gallons of flowing water and are part of The Omni Homestead Resort.

Oldest Spa Structure in America

The Gentlemen’s Pool House, built in 1761 with an octagon-shaped foundation, is the oldest European-style spa structure in the United States. The Ladies’ Pool House was added in 1836, featuring an impressive 22-sided structure. Both bathhouses underwent a meticulous $4 million rehabilitation from 2021 to 2022, preserving their historic character while ensuring modern safety and comfort.

Thomas Jefferson’s Favorite Retreat

Thomas Jefferson visited in 1819 and bathed three times daily for three weeks, later describing the waters to his daughter Martha as being of “first merit.” The site earned recognition on the Virginia Landmarks Register in 1968 and the National Register of Historic Places in 1969, cementing its place in American spa history.

Mineral-Rich Therapeutic Waters

The springs produce approximately 1.7 million gallons of water daily. The water naturally contains therapeutic minerals including magnesium sulfate, iron, silica, boron, barium, manganese, and lithium. These minerals are believed to promote blood circulation, ease skin conditions, and improve sleep quality. The crystal-clear water maintains its perfect temperature year-round without artificial heating.

Session Options and Policies

Visitors can book 50-minute soak sessions. Family sessions (10 AM–1 PM) welcome all ages with swimsuits required in the Ladies’ Bathhouse. Adult co-ed soaks (10 AM–3 PM and 5 PM–6 PM) require swimsuits and are for ages 16 and up. Adult-only soaks (3 PM–5 PM, ages 18+) are separated by gender with optional swimwear, maintaining the traditional bathing customs. Pool depths reach 6 feet in the Gentlemen’s pool and 5 feet in the Ladies’ pool. Pool noodles and towels are provided.

4. Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa

• Location: 2138 Business 220, Bedford, Pennsylvania 15522
• Cost: Rooms start around $318 per night; day spa packages available
• Water Temperature: Historic mineral springs incorporated into spa treatments; indoor spring-fed pool
• Weather / Best Season: Year-round; particularly beautiful during fall foliage and holiday season
• Review: 4.6 / 5
• Phone: (814) 623-8100

Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa is a luxurious historic resort established in 1806, set on 2,200 acres in Pennsylvania’s scenic Cumberland Valley. Native Americans and early settlers used the area’s eight natural mineral springs for their curative powers. The resort served as President James Buchanan’s “Summer White House” from 1857 to 1861 and is designated a National Historic Landmark.

Springs Eternal Spa

The 30,000-square-foot Springs Eternal Spa is the ultimate retreat, incorporating the historic mineral springs into modern treatments. The Bedford Baths offer a contemporary interpretation of the resort’s 19th-century “Bedford Cure,” which required three-week stays for therapeutic water treatments. 

Guests can enjoy massages, body treatments, aromatherapy, and Swedish massages. The spa features both an indoor spring-fed pool—reportedly one of the first such facilities in America when built in 1905—and a seasonal outdoor pool.

Elegant Historic Accommodations

The resort offers 216 units including spacious two-bedroom suites. Rooms feature 9-foot ceilings, antique furniture, private balconies with rocking chairs, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges. 

Some rooms include porches, marble floors, desks, and fireplaces. Suites offer soaking tubs, full kitchens, or separate living areas with stunning views of the surrounding gardens and mountains.

Championship Golf and Dining

Named the #1 Golf Resort Course in Pennsylvania by Golfweek magazine, the historic Old Course offers breathtaking views and challenges for all skill levels. Six dining venues serve everything from upscale Appalachian cuisine at the Crystal Room and refined steakhouse fare at 1796 Room to tavern-style favorites at Frontier Tavern. An award-winning culinary team showcases regional culture with locally sourced ingredients.

5. Shenandoah Hot Springs (at Omni Homestead Resort)

• Location: The Omni Homestead Resort, 7696 Sam Snead Highway, Hot Springs, Virginia 24445
• Cost: Included with resort stay or day pass
• Water Temperature: Heated hot tub temperatures (specific temperature not publicly listed)
• Weather / Best Season: Year-round; outdoor section available when temperatures reach 70°F or higher

Shenandoah Hot Springs at The Omni Homestead Resort offers relaxing indoor and outdoor hot tub experiences for the whole family. The facility combines natural mineral water heritage with modern hot tub amenities, providing a comfortable soaking environment year-round. The outdoor section operates seasonally, creating a perfect après-ski experience in winter when weather permits.

Safety Guidelines and Regulations

Guests must follow lifeguards and attendants at all times. Rough play including pushing or dunking is strictly prohibited. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult, while kids under 5 need an adult within arm’s reach. People with health conditions should consult a doctor before use, and guests under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not permitted.

Soaking Recommendations

The hot tub has a maximum depth of 3 feet 6 inches. Visitors should limit their time to 10-15 minutes per session, taking breaks to cool down before returning. During winter months, sensitive skin may react to chlorinated water, so a cool shower is recommended before leaving to protect skin from cold air exposure.

6. Alum Spring Park

• Location: 99 Greenbrier Drive (end of Greenbrier Drive), Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
• Cost: Free admission
• Water Temperature: Natural spring water maintains 72°F year-round
• Weather / Best Season: Open year-round; spring and fall offer the most pleasant hiking temperatures
• Review: 4.7 / 5
• Official Website: https://www.fredericksburgva.gov/1127/Alum-Spring-Park 
• Phone: (540) 372-1086

Alum Spring Park is a historic 34-acre wooded retreat in Fredericksburg featuring the namesake Alum Spring, which maintains a constant 72°F temperature year-round. As crystallized salt forms on the surface when the spring water evaporates, it creates the distinctive “alum” appearance that gives the park its name. This natural sanctuary offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and a glimpse into Virginia’s geological and colonial history.

“The Most Historic Park in America’s Most Historic City”

Local historian Robert A. Hodge, who spearheaded the park’s creation in 1965, called Alum Spring Park “the most historic park in America’s most historic city.” George Washington surveyed the property for his brother-in-law, Fielding Lewis of Kenmore. 

The area has served as a source of clay for indigenous populations, the site of 18th and 19th century mills, and a hospital and prison camp for Hessian and British soldiers after Cornwallis’ surrender in 1781.

Geological Wonder

The Alum Spring sandstone cliff is a geological formation approximately 100 million years old, dating back to the age of dinosaurs. Waters flowing from western mountains toward the newly-formed Atlantic Ocean carried sediment that formed the present-day sandstone. The park features 28 species of trees, fossilized wood, crystallized alum deposits, and a stream bed rich with quartz and jasper.

Historic Health Resort Dreams

In 1895, John H. Buis, a part owner of the tract, tried to establish the spring as a health resort, extolling the water’s curative properties in local newspapers. Many believed alum spring water had healing powers, similar to famous Virginia springs like Rockbridge Alum and Bath Alum. Though his resort plan never materialized, the spring’s therapeutic reputation persists.

Park Amenities and Recreation

The park features a covered picnic shelter, picnic tables with charcoal grills, restrooms, electricity, a playground, and approximately 1 mile of walking paths including the popular Alum Spring Park Loop trail. The wooded setting with Hazel Run creek provides a peaceful escape within city limits. The park can accommodate up to 75 people and is available for rentals. It connects to the larger trail system extending 2.7 miles behind the park to Route 1 Bypass.