5/5 - Excellent
Okay with bare-bones amenities at hot springs? This is a great place! My boyfriend and I bought a day pass and thoroughly enjoyed the pools and tranquil natural setting. The springs were clear and clean with varying temperatures from extra hot (c.112) to just warm enough for a cold day, the dry sauna perfectly hot and the atmosphere was relaxed. The other guests all seemed happy and congenial (which, to me, is a good measure of the quality of a hot spring spa) . Bring your own towel and robe (not sure if you can rent them there, but it didn't seem to be an option). There are outdoor lockers and cubbies for your stuff, and two communal indoor changing rooms (men's and women's). It had snowed the day before and was cold, so I left my clothes, shoes and coat in the changing room, my phone and wallet in the car and put my spa stuff in a cubby (no problems). Getting the lay of the place might be a bit confusing at first, and on the day I was there the showers in the women's changing room only dribbled barely-lukewarm water, but despite a few minor inconveniences, it was well worth it. The more-developed hot spring spa in the Salida area that we tried the day before was a big disappointment, so Cottonwood was a welcome alternative.Thank you Cottonwood for actually saving our soaking-trip to Salida! Hope to be back soon.
