Orvis Hot Springs Site Report
Visited 13 July 2005
Orvis Hot Springs
Ridgeway Colorado
Park visited 13 July 2005
We first learned of Orvis Hot Springs about two years ago, when managment emailed the CO
Digest and asked us to list their website on our links page. We made a promise to
ourselves that Orvis would be a stop for us in the future.
(One of the single bedrooms)
Orvis Hot Springs is located just south of Ridgeway, Colorado on US 555, a short but
extrememly scenic route that runs from near Bernalillo, New Mexico to Montrose, Colorado.
(One of the double bedrooms)
Orvis has been around as a commercial operation since 1924, but its history goes back much
further, to the Tabagueche Indian tribe that discovered the hot springs on the Uncomaghre
river. Legend has it that Chief Ouray of the tribe soaked regularly in the hot springs for
its calming affects, and its medical healing. The water contains a hodge podge of
(One of the two indoor private tubs)
minerals, most notably lithium, which, as a drug, is used to treat manic depression. Many
believe that soaking in the litium waters at Orvis 'enhance a mood of traquility'. There
is no doubt that we were in bliss while we soaked at Orvis. The water also contains
measurable traces of Calcium, Florine, Magnesium, Maganese, Potassium and Sulfur.
(The Indoor Pool)
The water from Orvis actually comes from three different sources, two of which are on the
Orvis property, and the third from a residence across the road.
(The Island Pond)
Orvis has several rooms that are available for nightly rentals, and also allows tent
camping and limited RV camping on site. There are no hookups for RVs, so this is dry
camping, with no generator use after 10 pm. Most of the area is clothing optional,
although there are a few areas where cover is required. Orvis also offers a smokers
soaking area, something we've not seen a lot of. The highlight that we saw was the indoor pool, which we were told gets a lot of use during the winter months.
(Tent Camping Area)
Management told us that nude use ran around 60%, depending on the season. Our guide told
us that most locals used the facility nude, along with many ski-season regulars, and that a
majority of tourists would exercise the clothing part of optional.
(Lobster Pot - runs around 112 degrees)
Our visit was during
one of the cleanings of the big pool, so attendance was down while we were there, but all
but one of the guests were nude. Orvis also offers on site massage on two yurts
on the
property, and they have two private tubs indoors, along with a community kitchen.
(One of two massage yurts)
The biggest news about Orvis is that the facility is for sale. According to a local
newspaper article, the owner, Jack Cosgrave has an asking price of $2 million for the hot
springs. Cosgrave wants to sell it to a person or group that will continue to allow the
clothing-optional aspect of the business. He is selling it due to an injury he received in
a rollover car accident in 2003 that left him with a crushed vertibrae.
Orvis Hot springs apparently has the approval of the locals in both Ridgeway and Ouray
(about 10 miles south). We overnighted in Ouray, and spoke to several locals who not only
knew about Orvis, but were also regulars, including a couple from Texas who were running
one of the many RV parks in the area. 
(Yes, its Clothing Optional on most of the property)
Orvis Hot Springs is open year round. Their web site is
http://www.orvishotsprings.com,
and their phone number for reservations or more information is 970-626-5324. The hot
springs is located at
1585 County Rd. 3
Ridgway, CO 81432
which is at the intersection
of County Road 3 and US 550, and is marked by highway signs coming from both Ouray and
Ridgeway.
(The Big Pond, the favorite of most)
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