There are very few things us Coloradans love more than a good hot spring soak in the mountains. And thankfully, tons of other countries, from Iceland to Japan to Mexico, share that same affinity! I’ve traveled to 42+ countries and been to all 7 continents, and let me tell you—if there’s a giant pool of hot water to soak in nearby, I’m going to find it.
One of my personal favorite hot springs, perfect for elopements, is Dunton Hot Springs in the San Juans of Colorado. This ghost town turned luxury getaway offers a private bathhouse with its own naturally fed hot spring that you can reserve. I’ve had couples elope here and start their wedding day with a soak with just them and their partner, and there’s no more relaxing and centering way to get married than that.
But if cool ghost towns aren’t your vibe or you’d prefer a different continent, rest assured, I have plenty more favorites where that came from!
Scroll down for more hot springs I have seen and soaked in that I can say with confidence would make for a great wedding day addition.
Or, already sold on the idea of a hot spring but want to get one in a certain region or filter by your preferred time of year to get married? Visit my interactive elopement location map and use the filters there to get a custom list just for you!
Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado
This is rustic luxury done right. Dunton is an old ghost town turned private hot springs haven, where you can literally soak in a restored 19th-century bathhouse or step into your own private outdoor tub with mountain views on tap. A log cabin, snow-dusted pines, and steam rising from natural springs while you sip coffee in a robe are all yours for the taking here, so if you’re after cozy vibes with serious elopement-worthy flair, this one’s hard to top.
Best for: Mountains, Forests, Hot Springs, Cabins (they also have some great spaces for intimate weddings)
Best months to get married here: June to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking and Soaking
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Yes, it’s famous. It’s hyped. You’ve seen a billion photos of it on Instagram. But the Blue Lagoon really does live up to its reputation – and then some. Between the neon-blue water, steamy air, and volcanic rock, it genuinely feels like you’ve landed on another planet. Eloping here, unlike some of the other Iceland hot spring options, is all about living your best luxe life: hotel robes, in-water massages, swim-up smoothies, and spa treatments all within arm’s reach. It’s the biggest day of your lives, so why not pamper yourselves?
Best for: Blue Water, Volcanic Rocks
Best months to get married here: May to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking and Soaking
Cascate del Mulino, Italy
The water here cascades down like a warm, steamy waterfall, collecting in soft-edged rock basins that look like they were sculpted by hand. And best of all? They’re free. No booking, no fancy resort: just you, your partner, and a ridiculously scenic soak in Italy, of all places. Come at sunrise to beat the crowds and bask in that golden light with nobody else around. Add in a post-dip espresso and some fresh-baked focaccia from a local bakery, and honestly, you’re winning at life.
Best for: Blue Pools, Waterfall
Best months to get married here: May to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Soaking, Exploring
Alvord Hot Springs, Oregon
This one’s got desert magic written all over it. Alvord Hot Springs is perched on the edge of the Alvord Desert – a giant cracked salt flat backed by the Steens Mountains. Soak in piping hot mineral water while staring out over this alien-looking landscape that stretches forever in every direction. You can even camp out right on site or stay in one of the rustic bunkhouses if you want to wake up and roll straight into a sunrise soak. Wildly photogenic, this is the kind of off-grid hot spring that makes an elopement feel next-level cool.
Best for: Hot Spring, Desert, Mountains
Best months to get married here: May to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Soaking, Camping, Stargazing
Pamukkale Thermal Pools, Turkey
Pamukkale looks like it was carved from clouds: layer after layer of bright white travertine terraces spilling down the hillside, filled with warm turquoise water. These thermal pools have been used for thousands of years (Cleopatra herself was apparently a fan), and today they’re still one of the most surreal places to soak in the world. Nearby Hierapolis throws ancient ruins into the mix, so you’ve got history, warm mineral baths, and killer views all rolled into one. An elopement here feels like stepping into a dreamscape, and you don’t even need to leave the mainland.
Best for: Hot Springs, Desert, Forest
Best months to get married here: Year-round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Seljavallalaug Hot Spring, Iceland
This one’s pure Iceland: tucked between mossy cliffs, surrounded by black volcanic rock, and fed by natural geothermal water that flows straight from the mountains. Seljavallalaug isn’t fancy – it’s raw and rugged and absolutely glorious. It’s also one of the oldest pools in the country, built in 1923 and still totally free to visit. To get there, you’ll hike a short trail past waterfalls and lava fields until it suddenly appears, like it’s been waiting there just for you. Moody skies, steamy water, and no tourists in sight? That’s an Iceland elopement for you.
Best for: Mountains and the Hot Spring
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, Colorado
Tucked beneath the dramatic Collegiate Peaks, Mount Princeton’s hot springs let you swap between riverside rock pools and temperature-controlled tubs, depending on your mood (and tolerance for heat!). It’s open all year, so whether you’re watching autumn leaves swirl or catching snowflakes from the steam, it’s got that soak-and-swoon ratio just right. There’s a spa, a juice bar, and lodging that ranges from luxe to laid-back – basically, the full post-elopement R&R setup.
Best for: Mountains, River, Historic Mining Towns, Cabins with private hot Springs
Best months to get married here: Year-round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Jeep/4×4
Castle Hot Springs, Arizona
An oasis in the middle of the Sonoran Desert, Castle Hot Springs in Arizona is an all-inclusive resort waiting to treat all of its guests to the experience of a lifetime. Wade through the hot springs, soak together in private tubs at your accommodation that fill with hot spring water, dine at the farm-to-table restaurant on site, and head out on excursions during the day to experience the desert around you. You’ll leave relaxed, connected, and ready to start your marriage together.
Best for: Desert, Palm Trees and Hot Springs
Best months to get married here: September to April
My favorite activities to do here: Stargazing
Uunartoq Hot Springs, Qaqortoq, Greenland
You’d never expect one of the most soothing hot springs on Earth to be tucked away in South Greenland, but Uunartoq plays by its own rules. Sitting on a tiny, untouched island near Qaqortoq, these naturally heated pools stay deliciously warm even when the surrounding fjords are studded with icebergs. There’s no built-up spa here: it’s just steaming blue water, wild Arctic views, and the occasional passing whale. Getting there requires a boat ride, but that only adds to the adventure.
Best for: Island, Mountains, Hot Springs, Icebergs!
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating
Gamla Laugin/The Secret Lagoon, Iceland
It might not be a secret anymore, but it still feels like one. Gamla Laugin is cozy and low-key, with steam swirling above the water and a geothermal vibe that’s way more chill than the mega-touristy spots. It’s not got the nickname “the Secret Lagoon” for nothing! The whole place feels like a warm hug, especially if you make a reservation at one of the cute guesthouses and stay overnight. It’s a great base for your elopement adventure: accessible and close to Reykjavík, without losing that middle-of-nowhere magic.
Best for: Forest, Hot Spring
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Soaking
Desert Reef Hot Springs, Colorado
This one’s for the grown-ups who like their hot spring soaks to feel a little bit… freer. Desert Reef is adults-only, clothing optional, and full of mellow, desert-chic vibes. Set just south of Colorado Springs, it feels more like you stumbled into a secret oasis than booked a weekend getaway. The views stretch wide across the desert landscape, and you can crash in an airstream or tiny house on-site to keep things simple and stylish. It’s minimal effort, maximum vibe.
Best for: Desert, Mountains, Private Hot Springs with cabins
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Soaking, Stargazing
Hellulaug Hot Spring, Iceland
Hot spring. Rocky coast. Giant fjord views. Hellulaug is wild, and I bet it’s exactly what you had in mind when you pictured a hot springs elopement. It’s also totally free, right off the road, and… Has zero facilities. This is Iceland, after all, and we’re not in the city anymore! Instead, what you’ll find here is a naturally heated pool overlooking the ocean where you can sit and take it all in. There’s something magical about soaking with nothing but sea air and silence around you – the perfect spot to breathe, unwind, and get your feet warm before tying the knot in Icelandic style.
Best for: Coast, Rocks, Hot Springs
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Mountain Village Hot Springs, Idaho
Hot springs with Sawtooth views? Yes please. Mountain Village Resort nails the balance between nature and comfort, with steaming pools that look straight out at mind-blowing mountains and on-site everything: lodging, food, good coffee, and of course a whole menu of post-ceremony beverages to enjoy. You’ll feel out in the wilderness, but still have a cozy bed and hot meal waiting post-soak. For couples who want their elopement to feel adventurous and easy, this place is a solid win.
Best for: Mountains, Wildflowers, Hot Springs
Best months to get married here: Year-round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking and Soaking
Hrunalaug Hot Spring, Iceland
This is the kind of place that makes you want to whisper when you arrive. Tucked behind a grassy hill and surrounded by fields, Hrunalaug is made up of three snug little pools framed by lava stones and an old turf-roofed shelter. It’s quiet and intimate, way more personal than the big-name lagoons. You can even book it out for a private soak, absolutely ideal if you want to say your vows at the hot springs. With greenery all around you, it feels more like finding a secret garden than a hot spring.
Best for: Hot Springs, Moss, Valleys
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Soaking
Planning your own elopement with a hot spring?
Not only are hot springs a great way to make you feel a little extra pampered and special during your elopement, they’re a perfect method to connect with your partner and shake off any wedding day jitters before or after your ceremony. Half of the point of eloping is being able to do things at your speed, and that can include some time to fully relax, slow down, and embrace the moment!
Wishing you could narrow it down to just hot springs in a specific region, with a specific view, or open at a specific time of year? I made just the tool for you!
Head to my searchable elopement location database and filter to your hearts content so that you can see results based only on what you really want out of your day! Hundreds of locations with no guesswork required.
Wherever you decide, count me in! I’ve photographed 300+ elopements over my 10+ years of experience, and I would love to be there for your day. I’ll be on hand at all times with personalized vendor recommendations, expert permit and packing tips, bespoke itinerary creation (and endless refinement until it’s perfect), activity ideas, a custom timeline, and so much more.
Just contact me to get started! No matter how distant your idea is right now, I’ll design you the experience of a lifetime.
Let’s get started! Click here to be taken to my contact form!
