Planning status: This outing is still tentative. Our Aspen flights, lodging and Opiuo tickets are booked; other activities remain unconfirmed. See our complete Aspen trip plan for December 11–17, 2026.
Picture this: steam rising off a river-rock pool, snow on the banks, the Crystal River rushing past a few feet away, and mountains all around. That’s Penny Hot Springs, and it’s at the top of our outdoor list for our December 11–17 trip to Aspen. Best part? It’s free.
This is our pre-trip plan. If we make this outing, we’ll add an outcome update linking to a separate firsthand report.
Is Penny Hot Springs open?
Yes. Pitkin County lists Penny Hot Springs as open year-round. The county has approved an improvement project for parking, drainage and access, but construction will only happen in short summer windows, the county has promised at least six months’ public notice before work starts, and no start date had been set as of the latest reporting. A December visit shouldn’t be affected, but it’s always worth a quick check before you drive out.
Where it is
The springs sit right beside Highway 133 on the Crystal River, near the village of Redstone. That’s roughly 15 minutes south of Carbondale and about 50 minutes from Aspen. There’s no hike: you park at a small gravel pull-off and walk down a short slope to the river.
What to expect
- Rock pools on the riverbank. A handful of shallow pools built from river rock, about two feet deep, ranging from lukewarm to very hot.
- The source is seriously hot. Water comes out at around 133°F, so test each pool with a toe or a hand before you climb in. Soakers adjust the temperature by moving rocks to let in more or less cold river water.
- Free, with no facilities to speak of. There’s a porta-potty near the lot and no trash cans, so pack out everything you bring in.
- Swimsuits are the norm, though nudity isn’t unusual, especially among locals. It’s right on the highway, so be respectful, and don’t photograph other soakers.
The rules
Pitkin County’s management plan for the springs sets a few rules:
- No dogs. This one hurts for us. Kami, Luka and Ladria will be staying behind for this outing, since dog waste can contaminate the water.
- No glass containers.
- No camping.
- Keep music down, and follow Leave No Trace.
Our winter game plan
- Go early on a weekday. Parking is limited to roughly a dozen cars, and the springs get busier as the day goes on. A sunrise soak with steam on the river is the dream.
- Park carefully. If the lot is full, don’t leave your car sticking out into Highway 133. It’s narrow and curvy, and in December it may be icy.
- Traction for the slope. The walk down to the river will likely be snowy or icy, so we’re packing microspikes or at least boots with good grip. There’s a gentler path on the left side.
- Pack for the cold part. Getting in is easy; getting out into winter air is the challenge. Our list: big towels, a warm robe or parka to throw on, a beanie, water shoes or sandals, dry warm layers, a bag for wet gear and a thermos of something hot.
- Bring water. Hot water plus altitude dehydrates you fast. Keep soaks short, and get out if you feel lightheaded.
- Plan the rest of the day. Carbondale is just up the road, so a soak pairs well with lunch and a pint. Our craft beer guide covers the breweries down valley.
We’ll report back
If we visit, we’ll publish a separate firsthand report on the pools, crowds, winter access and whether the outing lived up to our expectations, then link it here. Been to Penny in winter? Share your tips.
We’ll preserve this original plan. After the trip, we’ll add a short outcome update and a link to a separate firsthand report at the top. Both will be collected on our Aspen trip page.
Leave a Reply