Five different geothermal springs emerge from the hillside here, each with a distinct mineral composition: arsenic, iron, lithia, soda, and sodium. The pools are named for their predominant mineral, and regulars swear each has different therapeutic properties. Whether or not you believe in the curative claims, the warm water and spectacular desert scenery make for a genuinely restorative experience.
The resort wraps around the original spring house, a low adobe structure that has been absorbing soakers since the late 1800s. There are outdoor pools at different temperatures, a private tub section, and a mud wrap facility. The pace is slow and the atmosphere unhurried. You can book massages and other treatments, or simply float from pool to pool and watch the sun move across the red rock bluffs. Staying overnight at the on-site inn is by far the best option — the springs in the morning and evening, when day visitors are fewer, are the whole point of the place.