MADISON COUNTY, N.C. — There is only one place in North Carolina where you can experience natural hot springs. It’s in the western part of the state, and the town is called Hot Springs.
What You Need To Know
Hot Springs Resort and Spa offers mineral baths from a natural hot spring across the creek
The resort is one of many over the years. The first hotel and bath house was built in the early 1800s
The resort offers 17 outdoor bath houses with additional baths attached to their lodging
In the hills of Madison County are the sounds of bubbling water. It’s the home to Hot Springs Resort and Spa.
Heather Hicks is the manager at the resort. The spot holds a special place in her heart because she grew up in the county, and several generations of her family worked on the grounds.
“I grew up a steward of the water,” Hicks said. “I grew up on the French Broad River, which is a big place for whitewater rafting. So it was a natural progression for me to come here to Hot Springs to continue my stewardship.”
She loves this area because it has a sense of tranquility. There are no sounds of a bustling city but rather birds, water and nature.
“This is a beautiful natural setting,” Hicks said. “There are no chain restaurants and no stop lights. You can get lost in time in this town. It’s one thing I love about it, and our guests love about it.”
The resort features 17 outdoor hot tubs and additional lodging that also has attached tubs. The natural hot springs sit across the creek on a private part of the resort. Workers use an underground piping system to bring the water from the hot springs directly into the spa.
“Our spring is an artesian spring, which means they bubble up,” Hicks said. “It comes from about a half-mile underground. The water temperature there is about 110 degrees Fahrenheit. By the time it reaches the tubes, it’s 102 to 103.”
These mineral baths weren’t always located in the same spot. There were several locations since the early 1800s. On the grounds of the resort, visitors can see the ruins of a bathhouse from the 1860s.
“The bathhouse had eight 4-foot-deep, marble-lined tubs and guests came here for a 21-day convalescence program, soaking, healthy food, massage and maybe a golf game or two,” Hicks said.
That bathhouse was the fourth one built. Down the street, at the Hot Springs Welcome Center visitors can learn about the resort’s history. The first hotel was built in 1837.
“The warm springs hotel was an absolutely beautiful property with grand pillars,” Hicks said.
It was designed for exclusive guests and the elite class. It was one of many hotels on the grounds that burned down over the years. The area was also prone to floods and fires.
“I think that Hot Springs are a very special place,” Hicks said. “Mother nature is in charge of this town. The grand affluent hotels that didn’t allow everyone access to the water maybe didn’t go with the flow.”
Hicks says while they do charge guests to use the hot tubs, they tried to make them affordable and available to anyone who wants to soak.
“The water itself is fantastic,” Hicks said. “There is a huge allegiance from everyone who works here to take care of the water in this very special place and to tell the stories of the past. It’s part of our Appalachian heritage.”
Hot Springs Resort and Spa is open seven days a week. Minerals baths range in price starting at $50 for two people. Reservations are required ahead of time.