When you think of hot springs, you probably picture Iceland or Japan. What you may not know is that hot springs resorts also exist in America, from Arkansas to Colorado to Virginia. Now there’s a new one, with a killer location: Zion Canyon Hot Springs, located just 20 minutes outside of the famous park.
Designed by Arkansas-based architecture firm HFA Architecture + Engineering, the facility boasts over 50 bodies of water: In addition to freshwater pools and multiple cold plunges, it has 32 natural geothermal hot springs, and a further 16 “globally inspired” mineral pools whose mineral content has been tinkered with to replicate the conditions of famous hot springs: Iceland’s Blue Lagoon, the salt-rich Dead Sea, a Hokkaido onsen, et cetera.
All of the water is drawn from natural underground hot springs located along the nearby Virgin River. Naturally heated, this water contains magnesium, potassium, sodium, calcium, iron, sulfate, chloride and silica. In addition to the relaxation and pain relief effects provided by the mere temperature of the water—which ranges from 80°F to 104°F—the minerals are said to improve circulation, organ health, nerve and muscle function, and even the quality of your skin, hair and nails.
In addition to the pools, there are firepit rest areas, a café, and barrel-shaped saunas.
The facility opens today, and entry prices start at $29. (Locals—residents of Washington County—will be pleased to see they get a 20% discount.)