Best for
For a family reunion, consider hiring the whole restored town so your group can stay together and use the gathering spaces exclusively.
Best for
For a family reunion, consider hiring the whole restored town so your group can stay together and use the gathering spaces exclusively.
What makes it special
Arrange summer fly fishing on Dunton's private stretch of the West Fork of the Dolores River for access beyond public fishing spots.
Room to consider
Well House has its own hot spring and cold plunge, letting you alternate between warm and cold water without leaving your cabin.
Insider tip
Discuss your arrival with the team before renting a car: the final eight miles are unpaved, and paid airport transfers are available.
Free membership gives you access to preferred rates, exclusive benefits and current promotions for your stay.
Dunton Hot Springs is a restored ghost-town resort in Colorado's San Juan Mountains, with hand-hewn cabins, mineral springs and an old saloon. The former mining settlement has become a place to stay among the buildings that once served the town. Paths lead between sleeping quarters, dining and the bathhouse, with mountains rising beyond. It belongs to Dunton Destinations, whose properties also include the separate Dunton River Camp.
Snowshoes hang above the door, and hats line the log walls of this small cabin. A red-painted floor lies under a pitched wood ceiling. Simple curtains and a striped bed throw soften the room, while a lamp lights a worn green chest beneath a framed portrait.
Beside the window, a small wooden table and chair provide a place to write. The Saloon is a short walk away. Guests shower outdoors here; the nearby Bath House offers a steam shower in winter.
Snowshoes hang above the door, and hats line the log walls of this small cabin. A red-painted floor lies under a pitched wood ceiling. Simple...
Pets are welcome with prior approval. This cabin retains the only original roof at Dunton.
Pieces collected by the owners on trips to Africa add a personal touch to this cabin from Aspen. A carved wall piece hangs near the door, with red shades at the windows. Pale wooden bedside chests stand against the darker tile floor.
Log beams run over a simple timber bed frame, keeping the room’s old cabin feel. Paneled doors open toward the bathroom, where a small oval mirror sits above a wood cabinet. A green chair faces the desk by another window; its worn paint adds color to the room.
Pieces collected by the owners on trips to Africa add a personal touch to this cabin from Aspen. A carved wall piece hangs near the...
The former blacksmith’s workshop now has a colorful interior based on Mexican craft traditions. Woven textiles and a striped rug sit against the old log walls. A long blue cabinet runs beside the bed, beneath a skylight in the pitched wooden ceiling.
Yellow curtains frame a small window above an armchair on the other side of the room. The chair’s blue-and-cream fabric picks up the painted furniture, with a green lamp standing close by. An uneven block of wood serves as the side table, and rugs cover parts of the plank floor.
The former blacksmith’s workshop now has a colorful interior based on Mexican craft traditions. Woven textiles and a striped rug sit against the old log...
At the edge of the Dolores River, this cabin has a particularly close connection to the water. Waldo Studio’s restoration keeps its old timber walls alongside a more colorful interior. The carved, painted bed frame stands high above the floor in the featured room, with a patterned quilt and a small step beside it.
A floral sofa faces a low table beneath the pitched ceiling. An arched entrance opens to the pictured bathroom. Green patterned tiles sit below a yellow stripe, above a dark checkerboard floor.
At the edge of the Dolores River, this cabin has a particularly close connection to the water. Waldo Studio’s restoration keeps its old timber walls...
The first tent built at Dunton stays open all year, through the Colorado winter.
Cream fabric and wooden uprights create a lighter interior than the neighboring log cabins. The featured tent has a metal bed frame, with a tufted brown seat at its foot. Rugs lie over the plank floor, and a framed textile hangs beside a mirror.
A small chandelier sits beneath the peaked fabric roof. The pictured bathroom shifts to darker wood walls and an open vanity shelf. Two separate mirrors hang above a shared white basin. A geometric rug adds red and black below, echoing the patterned textiles in the sleeping space.
Cream fabric and wooden uprights create a lighter interior than the neighboring log cabins. The featured tent has a metal bed frame, with a tufted...
Pets are welcome with prior approval. The cabin has a direct view of the nearby waterfall.
Named for a miner who once lived here, this is one of Dunton’s oldest cabins. A broad opening links the sleeping end with the lounge in the featured interior. A yellow wardrobe stands near the opening, and a green desk faces a window along the log wall.
The seating brings a different palette, with a blue tufted sofa and a green armchair. Small black-and-white photographs of cabins form a cluster above. A worn chest serves as the low table. A beaded curtain marks another doorway beside the tiled floor.
Named for a miner who once lived here, this is one of Dunton’s oldest cabins. A broad opening links the sleeping end with the lounge...
An open hearth gives the living room a different feel from Dunton’s cabins with enclosed stoves. Its tall metal hood rises through a white plaster surround toward the exposed beams. Alongside it, a steep metal stair connects the lower room with the sleeping level above.
A floral sofa faces a small round table beneath the pitched ceiling. Green window frames and a large patterned wall rug add color to the logs. A wooden secretary desk sits between the windows, while a rocking chair stands nearer the hearth. A broad rug covers the floor between the hearth and the sofa.
An open hearth gives the living room a different feel from Dunton’s cabins with enclosed stoves. Its tall metal hood rises through a white plaster...
Close to the hot springs’ source, the restored cabin sits near the Bath House, with the Saloon and Dance Hall across the way. Waldo Studio’s renovation pairs the old log structure with richer fabrics and new bathroom fittings.
The featured interior has a dark paneled wall behind the bed, with a yellow robe hanging above the headboard. A blue sofa stands at the foot, facing into the room. In the window corner, an ochre armchair sits beneath patterned curtains. Coiled rope and framed prints add smaller details along the timber walls.
Close to the hot springs’ source, the restored cabin sits near the Bath House, with the Saloon and Dance Hall across the way. Waldo Studio’s...
This is at Dunton River Camp, a separate property four miles downriver from Hot Springs.
Set above the river, these tents tuck into the hillside among trees, with an outlook across the meadow. Canvas walls surround a wooden platform floor. The featured layout places a cream sofa at the foot of the bed, facing two round woven stools. Striped cushions and a rocking chair bring a domestic scale to the open space.
The pictured bathroom has corrugated metal walls and a sloping white plank ceiling. Slate-colored tiles pattern the floor. Wooden vanity tables stand at opposite ends, with canvas curtains framing the doorway back into the tent.
Set above the river, these tents tuck into the hillside among trees, with an outlook across the meadow. Canvas walls surround a wooden platform floor....
River Camp stands on its own site, four miles downriver from Hot Springs.
Closer to the West Fork of the Dolores, these tents keep the sound of moving water near the living space. In the featured interior, a cream sofa divides the seating from the bed. Two woven round stools sit in front, with pale rugs across the wooden floor. A dark rocking chair stands near a canvas window.
The bathroom opens through a fabric-lined doorway. Its wooden vanity tables face one another across slate-colored tiles, under a sloping white ceiling. Corrugated metal covers the walls, with wall mirrors and exposed lamps above the counters.
Closer to the West Fork of the Dolores, these tents keep the sound of moving water near the living space. In the featured interior, a...
Moved here from Parachute, Colorado, this cabin still leans slightly, just as its name suggests. Logs and pale chinking frame the rooms, with quilts and red cushions adding warmth. A high window sits above the bed in one of the pictured bedrooms.
The lounge gives the group a place to gather away from the sleeping rooms. A settee runs beneath the window, with blue cushions and a low wooden table in front. Pictures fill gaps along the log walls, and the old wood frames keep the mining-camp feel.
Moved here from Parachute, Colorado, this cabin still leans slightly, just as its name suggests. Logs and pale chinking frame the rooms, with quilts and...
The private outdoor hot spring is available in summer only. Pets require prior approval.
The old general store has kept its generous ceiling beams and gained a playful interior inspired by Western films. Vintage posters fill the walls, while Cath Kidston curtains bring bright patterns to the windows. A red padded bench stands at the foot of the bed.
Leather armchairs form a separate sitting corner rather than a row along the bed. Between two windows, a blue wooden desk provides another spot to sit, with a simple chair alongside it. The cabin stands across from the Saloon, at the heart of the former mining camp.
The old general store has kept its generous ceiling beams and gained a playful interior inspired by Western films. Vintage posters fill the walls, while...
A natural spring runs beneath the cabin floor and feeds a large stone tub at the center of the room. Broad windows surround this unusual bathing space. In the featured interior, blue and ochre squares pattern the floor beside the rough stone sides.
The sleeping space has a pitched wood ceiling crossed by a log beam. Floral curtains frame the windows, and a red chandelier carries small fabric shades. A tall striped headboard adds red and green to the room. Waldo Studio’s restoration keeps these fabrics alongside the cabin’s rugged timber structure.
A natural spring runs beneath the cabin floor and feeds a large stone tub at the center of the room. Broad windows surround this unusual...
A spiral staircase rises from the entry to the open loft. The sleeping spaces sit at opposite ends of that upper level, while the rooms below offer a more enclosed setting. Antiques give the cabin its individual character.
In the featured bedroom, pale plaster fills the gaps between the upright logs. An amber patchwork quilt and floral curtains bring color to the wood. A red cabinet has small star-shaped cutouts in its doors, with a brown armchair beside it. A large pale rug with a red border lies beneath the bed.
A spiral staircase rises from the entry to the open loft. The sleeping spaces sit at opposite ends of that upper level, while the rooms...
The area shown is an estimate.
The secluded cabin has an upper master suite and a second master suite in a separate annex. Each has its own bathroom. Three lower bedrooms share a full bathroom and a further half bath. A renovation gave the rooms distinct interiors while retaining the old timber structure.
In the featured living space, a plaid sofa faces a wooden table and two upholstered stools. Botanical prints hang above the seating. Sage-green cabinets line the pictured kitchen, with a pale counter turning around the corner. An apron-front sink sits below the window, beside a dishwasher.
The secluded cabin has an upper master suite and a second master suite in a separate annex. Each has its own bathroom. Three lower bedrooms...
Established in 1885, Dunton grew along the West Dolores River around mines including the Emma, Smuggler and American. The mountains made moving ore and supplies difficult. Even after the railway arrived in the region in 1891, the nearest connection remained nine miles from town. Mining brought people to this valley, but transport kept the settlement isolated.
The sale of the Emma Mine in 1897 brought new investment, stamp mills and other mining buildings. Ore production and the town's population appear to have peaked around 1905, though the boom was brief. By 1918, the town had been deserted. It later became a cattle ranch and then a dude ranch, before another period of closure. New owners bought Dunton in 1994 and spent seven years restoring it. Today's cabins and saloon retain that small-town arrangement, with guests walking outdoors between buildings instead of along a hotel corridor.
Natural geothermal water feeds the soaking areas, with temperatures ranging from 85 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit. The restored nineteenth-century bathhouse shelters an indoor soak; outside, there are pools and a place to bathe at the spring source. Water temperature varies, and the landscape changes around it, from summer meadows to snow in winter.
Two daily time slots can be reserved for private use of the bathhouse. Outside those reservations, it is a shared guest facility. Families are welcome at Dunton, and the resort stays open year-round. At 8,850 feet above sea level, this is a high-mountain setting in every season. Late September often brings aspen color, while February and March are typically among the snowiest months; the timing depends on the weather.
The current lodging collection has 14 accommodations, including Christy's Tent, with a maximum of 52 guests across the resort. Cabins gather around the Saloon and Dance Hall near the bathhouse. Well House has a king bed, a wood-burning stove and a bathroom with a shower. Its private hot spring and cold plunge put soaking directly within the accommodation.
Potter House has five bedrooms: three with king beds, one with a queen and one with twin beds. There are three and a half bathrooms, a kitchen, a living area with a fireplace and a wraparound deck.
Wi-Fi reaches the cabins, but cell service is limited, and an emergency landline is available. The restored village can also be reserved as a whole for a wedding, reunion or retreat. That changes the scale of the gathering: accommodation, meals and time at the springs can all take place within the same mountain settlement.
Meals and drinks are included in the nightly rate, apart from selections on the Reserve List. Dining centers on the historic Saloon, where the communal table brings guests together. Individual tables in the Dance Hall offer another arrangement, while the chef's counter lets you watch dinner service. A private dining room above the Saloon can be reserved.
There is no standard a la carte menu. The kitchen plans meals around seasonal ingredients and guests' preferences, asking about allergies, dietary needs and likes before arrival. Regional produce is part of the approach, though the short growing season means ingredients also come from farther away. Breakfast includes pastries, granola and dishes cooked to order. For a day out, a picnic lunch can be prepared with advance notice.
Summer outings include horseback rides, hiking and mountain biking in the San Juans. Guides can lead climbs and trips into the higher peaks, while fly fishing takes place on nine miles of private water along the West Fork of the Dolores. Rafting on the San Miguel is another summer excursion.
In winter, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing replace many of the summer trails. Snowcat outings reach terrain at around 10,000 feet. Snow and trail conditions shape the winter program.
Dunton River Camp is a separate property on a former cattle ranch. Its eight safari-style tents operate in the summer season, generally June to mid-October. The riverside sauna and farmhouse belong to that camp, not to the Hot Springs village.
Spa appointments run for 75 minutes, with custom, deep-tissue, hot-stone and Ashiatsu massage among the choices. Ashiatsu uses the therapist's feet for pressure and assisted stretching. Body and facial treatments feature Susanne Kaufmann products, and the signature body polish combines a scrub with body and scalp massage. Facial choices include a treatment tailored after a skin assessment and a hydration facial combining cleansing, exfoliation, a mask and a head massage.
Spa services are available from age thirteen. Guests aged thirteen to seventeen need written consent from a parent or guardian. Yoga has a separate minimum age of sixteen. Movement sessions include active vinyasa, Pilates and gentler mobility work, with private sessions available for individuals, couples or small groups. Guided breathwork sessions last 45 minutes, while sound baths use instruments such as singing bowls, chimes and gongs. Appointments should be arranged ahead of the stay.
The approach leaves Highway 145 for County Road 38, with Dunton about twenty-one miles from the highway. The final eight miles are unpaved. Dunton sits along the West Fork of the Dolores River, away from Telluride town. It is reached by road, with the last stretch climbing into the mountains before entering the valley.
Cortez Airport is roughly an hour away by car, and Durango is about two hours away. From Telluride Airport, allow around an hour in summer or an hour and a half in winter. Montrose is farther: approximately two and a half hours in summer and three in winter. Weather and road conditions affect these estimates. Private SUV or van transfers can be arranged from these airports for an additional charge, or guests can rent a car for independent travel.
The log cabins are individually furnished, with views of surrounding mountains and meadows that you can enjoy without leaving your accommodation.
Saloon dining offers a communal table or separate seating in the dance hall, allowing you to meet fellow guests or dine with your own party.
Every cabin has Wi-Fi, so the remote mountain setting does not mean losing the ability to check messages or contact home.
52068 RD 38
Playing this video may share data with YouTube. Please see our Privacy Policy.
The best time depends on the kind of Colorado experience you want. Winter is magical for snow, steaming hot springs, fireplaces, and quiet cabin atmosphere. Summer is better for hiking, fly fishing, biking, longer days, and easier outdoor movement. Autumn can be spectacular in the San Juan Mountains, with golden colour and crisp air. Spring is quieter and more variable. Dunton is a true four-season retreat, but winter, summer, and early autumn are usually the most compelling choices.
Dunton Hot Springs can work for families, especially those who value nature, cabins, privacy, and outdoor activities. It is not a conventional family resort with kids' clubs, water slides, or constant entertainment, so it suits families who enjoy quiet adventure and shared downtime. For multigenerational trips or celebrations, a larger cabin setup or full resort buyout can make sense. Families should choose dates and cabin categories carefully because the resort's intimate scale is part of its character.
Activities at Dunton Hot Springs vary by season but can include soaking, spa treatments, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding-style experiences, yoga, snowshoeing, skiing connections, and guided regional adventures. The resort is designed around the outdoors rather than passive luxury alone. The best approach is to choose activities based on season and energy level. Some guests come mainly to soak and read by the fire; others use Dunton as a base for active mountain days.
Yes. Summer is excellent at Dunton Hot Springs for hiking, fly fishing, horseback-style mountain experiences, biking, river time, wildflowers, outdoor dining, and long evenings in the valley. The cabins and hot springs still matter, but the landscape becomes more open and active. Summer is best for travellers who want both relaxation and outdoor adventure. It is also a good season for guests who prefer easier access and longer daylight over the drama of snow.
Yes. Winter is one of the most atmospheric times to stay at Dunton Hot Springs. Snow-covered cabins, steaming mineral pools, fireplaces, and quiet mountain scenery create exactly the kind of experience many travellers imagine when they think of a luxury Colorado winter retreat. The trade-off is access and weather planning. Winter travel in the San Juan Mountains requires more care, and activity options differ by conditions. For guests who want isolation, hot springs, and winter atmosphere, it can be exceptional.
Inn at Lost Creek sits in Telluride's Mountain Village, close to lifts, ski school, restaurants, the gondola, and the high-al...
More amenities
Madeline Hotel & Residences is the Telluride choice for travelers who want to be in Mountain Village rather than down in the...
More amenities
Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa is a remote western Colorado resort in the red-rock landscape of Unaweep Canyon, close to th...