Author: Lindsay VanSomeren / Source: Wise Bread
Fall is the perfect time to visit a relaxing hot spring. The heat of the summer is over and the hot water feels great against the chilly air. But even though it’s cold, it’s not so cold that you’ll get frostbite after you leave the pool, like during the winter.
Hot springs can run the gamut from hoity-toity, historical playgrounds of the rich and famous to undeveloped natural upwellings in the middle of nowhere with a trail to lead you there.
These six hot springs fall right in the middle — not super spendy, but they also offer more amenities for maximum relaxation. For a true frugal hot springs visit, pack your own meals and drinks for a poolside picnic and check out these six beautiful locations. (See also: 4 Affordable Autumn Destinations for Nature Lovers)
1. Thermopolis Hot Springs in Thermopolis, Wyoming
At first glance, Thermopolis Hot Springs looks like something otherworldly. The pools are fed by a spring that drips over a gigantic, cascading wall of mineral buildup (known as the Rainbow Terraces) that resembles a scene from prehistoric times.
The entire hot springs is contained within Hot Springs State Park, which charges a reasonable $6 entrance fee ($4 if you’re a Wyoming resident). Once in, you can visit the historic State Bath House and the pools for free. There’s even a herd of wild bison that live in the park, which the staff feed daily at 8:30 a.m. during the late fall and winter (a great time to see them).
There are several affordable lodging options nearby.
You can find rooms right in town for under $100, as well as a plethora of Airbnb private cabins, homes, and campsites nearby also for under $100 per night. (See also: 9 Simple Ways to Save on Hotel Stays)2. Riverbend Hot Springs in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
New Mexico can get scorching hot in the summer. But come fall, you can enjoy a gorgeous vista of the red rock mountains right from a pool at Riverbend Hot Springs, located smack dab on the banks of the Rio Grande.
These hot springs are perfect for couples looking for a romantic getaway, as the Riverbend Hot Springs Resort has a strict “whisper-only” policy around the pools, and small children are only allowed in certain areas. You can even reserve private pools that are clothing-optional starting from $30 per hour, if that’s how you roll. Otherwise, you can get a one-hour pass to the common pools for $12 per hour.
Riverbend Hot Springs itself offers lodging starting from $94 per night for an “artist room,” or…
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