Fremont County, Colorado
Desert Reef Hot Spring
Desert Reef Hot Spring is a private, adults-only, clothing-optional hot spring facility near Penrose, Colorado — in the Arkansas River valley between Pueblo and Canon City.
- Geothermal
- Commercial
About this place
Desert Reef Hot Spring is a private, adults-only, clothing-optional hot spring facility near Penrose, Colorado — in the Arkansas River valley between Pueblo and Canon City. The spring feeds a large, warm outdoor pool (100°F) in a high desert setting, with views of the Wet Mountains and the Colorado Plateau terrain. It's a no-frills, community-oriented facility that has been operating for decades as a regional C/O destination.
The Fremont County area is central Colorado's less-touristed zone — Royal Gorge is nearby, but most visitors to Canon City focus on the gorge and don't know the hot spring exists. The crowd is primarily regulars from the Pueblo and Colorado Springs areas, plus travelers making their way along US 50. The membership/day-pass model means it's small and community-oriented rather than a resort.
Clothing is optional throughout the facility — it's not an after-hours C/O schedule like Strawberry Park, but the full operating model. The spring is about 40 minutes south of Colorado Springs and 20 minutes east of Canon City.
Visitor notes
Contributed by ClothingOptional.org Editorial Team
Who visits
Pueblo and Colorado Springs naturists, regulars who've been coming for years, and through-travelers who discover it via US 50 corridor research.
How to find it
From US 50, take the Penrose/Fremont exit and follow local directions to Desert Reef Hot Spring (Fremont County). Call ahead for current hours and admission — the facility has limited capacity.
Things to watch out for
Adults-only facility; children are not admitted. Reservations may be required on weekends. The facility has been through various ownership changes over the years — verify current operations before making the trip.
Last updated
Etiquette & ground rules
Clothing-optional throughout. Standard commercial C/O etiquette: towel down, no photography, respect boundaries.
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