Healing Springs
Healing Springs flows at 86 degrees Fahrenheit, producing water 34 degrees above ambient temperature at 2,218 feet elevation in Bath County, Virginia. This roadside thermal feature emerges just 34 meters from Sam Snead Highway near Warm Springs, offering immediate access to one of the region's most historically significant thermal springs.
The spring rises in a mountain valley setting at an elevation where mixed hardwood forests cover surrounding slopes and ridgelines. Bath County experiences a humid mountain climate with 44 inches of annual precipitation and moderate snowfall of 23.7 inches. The average annual temperature measures 52 degrees Fahrenheit, making the thermal water notably warm year-round. The spring emerges in terrain shaped by the folded geology of the Allegheny Highlands, where parallel ridges and valleys create distinctive north-south trending landforms. Nearby Warm Springs village sits in the same thermal corridor.
The spring's name reflects historical belief in its therapeutic properties, a characteristic shared with many Virginia thermal springs during the 19th-century spa era. Documentation indicates long-standing use for perceived medicinal benefits. The thermal feature served area residents and visitors seeking relief from various ailments, following patterns common throughout Bath County's thermal spring district. The spring remains accessible to the public adjacent to the Sam Snead Highway, named for the legendary golfer born in the area.
Visit year-round thanks to roadside access, though spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather conditions. Winter temperatures can drop significantly despite the thermal water. No permits required for visitation. Coles Point recreation area on Lake Moomaw, 9 kilometers away, provides camping with reservations. Combine with visits to other Bath County thermal springs including Warm Springs and Hot Springs within a short drive.
Is Healing Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
Overview Coles Point Picnic Shelters are tucked in a small opening surrounded by a hardwood forest. Opportunities abound for hiking, photography, nature study, birding and viewing wildlife. Best of all, Coles Point is perched along Moomaw Lake, providing convenient access to boating, fishing, swimming and relaxing on the beach.Recreation An inviting swimming beach within the recreation area lures crowds, and the picnic area has an open field for games like Frisbee and soccer. The park offer...