Your Guide to Zion Canyon Hot Springs

A Legacy of Healing

A well-deserved rest at the geothermal hot springs in La Verkin, Utah, is hardly a new pastime. The Paiute have long considered the springs a sacred place, offering respite to their own and neighboring tribes, who, in turn, respected the springs as a place of peace. An earlier resort on the site even took the name “Pah Tempe Hot Springs,” which roughly translates from Paiute to “water from rock.” Early western pioneers found similar refuge here, bathing after long days of work and homesteading. The sacred nature of the springs was apparent to them, too, and hundreds of baptisms were performed in the waters during the early 20th century.

The spa-like setting of the current resort may be a decidedly modern approach to rejuvenation, but all it takes is a dip in the steaming waters to feel a kinship with those who have stopped to rest through the centuries.

All Trails Lead Here

Part of the springs’ magic these days is its location. Situated just between La Verkin and Hurricane, Zion Canyon Hot Springs is in the epicenter of adventure in the Greater Zion area. It’s a 30 minute drive from Springdale and the park’s west entrance, and about the same distance from the golf mecca of St. George, making it a Shangri-La for putters and park-ers alike.

There’s plenty of lodging nearby, and the drive from any of the hotels near Zion Canyon Hot Springs is simple and scenic. My hosts for the weekend were the folks at Red Cliffs Lodge Zion in Springdale, a rustically renovated basecamp with old-school park town charm. From there, the miles ticked by easily, especially with the promise of 100+ degree Fahrenheit waters waiting.

If you’re wondering what to expect at Zion Canyon Hot Springs, the answer is comfort. From the clean and convenient locker rooms to the sprawling but serene property, every detail has been carefully thought out (including the cozy robes available for rent). Once you’re ready to relax, you’ll have your pick of 48 heated pools, three cold plunges, three saunas, and a freshwater pool.

Winter Warmth

If you’ve spent your day enjoying Zion National Park’s winter activities, the draw of hot springs is obvious — they could hardly be more different than snow-sprinkled trails or the icy waters of The Narrows. But mineral pool benefits go far beyond immediate relief. Mineral-rich springs can increase blood circulation and oxygen flow, soothe and heal the skin, reduce stress and anxiety, deliver full-body pain relief and even burn calories while boosting your metabolism. (If only all healthy choices were this easy.)

And Zion Canyon doesn’t just let the waters do all the work. As a total vacation experience, the resort offers all kinds of food and drink options to enhance your visit, including beer, wine, cocktails and mocktails in the 21+ area. Other amenities include a freshwater family pool, fire pits, barrel saunas, private cabanas for rent and cold plunges as frigid as the Virgin River that flows through The Narrows.

Despite the modern amenities, Zion Canyon never loses sight of what’s important. Beyond the sustainable water extraction process, detailed filtration system and tasty refreshments, it’s still all about your experience in the water. That’s made obvious by what might be the most thoughtful detail in the whole resort, something worth the price of entry and then some — pebbles.

Yes, pebbles. The bottom of each pool is made up of smooth rocks and pebbles, and if that doesn’t sound like a big deal, just imagine getting a free foot massage as these smooth rocks shift with each slow, wading step you take. This natural touch does more than just sooth sore feet; It helps you stay grounded with the Earth that’s heating the water all around you. At the end of a long day of hiking, biking, canyoneering, or road-tripping, there’s simply nothing like it. So stop by, sink in, and relax. You deserve it.