Colorado: They Take Their Spas on the Rocks - This Top LGBTQ+ Destination is the Wellness Retreat You Didn’t Know You Needed

For a state that looks pretty straight-edged on the map, it delivers with more sides than meets the eye. Beyond its natural beauty, the state’s rugged outdoors offers a surprising backdrop for locals and visitors to relax and find peace in every season.

From hot springs and healing arts to forest bathing and fresh-air meditations, Colorado isn’t just a wellness destination – it’s an experience. Grab your crew (or take yourself on a solo journey), and discover why this state offers one of the most well-rounded retreats you never saw coming.

The Front Range and the Rockies

Nestled within the iconic sandstone formation of Red Rocks Park, you’ll find Red Rocks Amphitheater, a world-class venue known for its stunning scenery and live events. Yoga on the Rocks is a bucket-list experience for any wellness seeker. Drawing a funky fresh crowd each weekend from Denver and surrounding areas, move and bend alongside other soulful stretchers as you salute the sun, calm your senses, and breathe in the fresh mountain breeze. The event is held every Saturday in the summer months and more information can be found here. Pro tip: check the venue’s calendar for upcoming live music, shows and more. 

The Oakwell Beer Spa offers a unique and refreshing way to unwind, combining relaxation with Colorado’s celebrated craft beer culture. Guests soak in private cedarwood tubs filled with a blend of hops, barley, yeast, and minerals—the same ingredients used in brewing beer—while enjoying a cold brew straight from the tap. It’s the perfect spot for beer lovers and wellness seekers alike to recharge and enjoy a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

Nourish your mind, body and spirit at True Nature Healing Arts located in a sprawling campus in Carbondale —with an experience that allows you to connect with the healing powers of nature. Book a yoga class in the morning, and take a walk through the Peace Garden, a restorative and therapeutic sanctuary open and free to the public. And don’t forget to schedule a spa or self-care session to finish a blissful day.

Northern Colorado

For unbelievable views, take your crew to Rabbit Ears Peak Trail to see wildflower blooms straight out of a movie. Beyond the trail, Steamboat Springs is also home to a variety of outdoor activities to help you connect with nature, whether you're strolling a forest trail, casting a line fly-fishing, or biking along scenic routes. But to slow it down and experience a more zen-like pace, rent a canoe and slowly drift along Dumont Lake, soaking in the peaceful surroundings. 

To fully immerse yourself in Colorado’s restorative energy, carve out time for a visit to Strawberry Park Hot Springs, a spa retreat nestled in the mountainous landscape in Steamboat. Let the stone masonry-lined thermal pool waters wash over you, transporting you to utter zen relaxation. Or try one of the spa’s many aquatic therapy treatments for ultimate rejuvenation and an authentic nod to the state’s replenishing spirit. 

Further east, Fort Collins offers its own brand of outdoor serenity. The town offers Lory State Park, an expansive environment that offers plenty of trails for hiking, biking and even horseback riding. But save your energy for Arthur’s Rock Trail, a dazzling weave of open meadows and canopied forests that crests the mountain for an eye-popping panoramic view of the Front Range. It’s a place to pause, take it all in, and feel fully present in Colorado’s great outdoors.

Southern Colorado

Begin your journey in Crestone, a place long known for its spiritual energy and serene setting. Here, the Crestone Ziggurat rises from the valley floor, a sandstone structure inspired by the sacred temples of ancient Mesopotamia. Visitors from around the world are drawn to this peaceful landmark to reflect, meditate, and take in sweeping views of the San Luis Valley. Climb its spiral steps and feel the landscape’s quiet power settle around you.

Southwest Colorado is also home to some of the state’s most breathtaking waterfalls, formed by snowmelt cascading from rocky cliffs. Telluride, a picturesque Victorian-era mountain town, showcases hikes at Bridal Veil Falls to witness the state’s tallest waterfall. Feel the mist on your face as the water plunges 365 feet into the canyon below. 

However, no wellness retreat in this region is complete without a rejuvenating soak. Dunton Hot Springs, tucked in a restored 1800s ghost town across the mountain from Telluride, blends rustic charm with alpine luxury. Soak in the mineral-rich waters surrounded by hand-hewn log cabins, or explore the quaint saloon and open meadows for a taste of the old West with a wellness twist.

Plan Your Trip

Plan Your Trip

From a state that’s anything but square, Colorado’s wellness scene is full of surprises. Start planning your getaway and discover all the sides of Colorado that soothe, stretch, and spark your spirit at Colorado.com/Summer-LGBTQ .