Hot Springs
Hot Springs produces 106-degree water that flows 54.4 degrees above ambient temperature at 2,298 feet elevation in Bath County, Virginia. This roadside thermal feature emerges just 33 meters from Homestead Drive, representing the highest temperature spring in Virginia and the centerpiece of the famous Omni Homestead Resort, the largest hot springs complex in the Commonwealth.
The spring rises in a mountain valley at an elevation where the Allegheny Mountains create distinctive ridge-and-valley topography. The location experiences 44.8 inches of annual precipitation with 24.2 inches of snow, supporting mixed hardwood forests on surrounding slopes. Average annual temperatures measure 51.6 degrees Fahrenheit, creating a cool mountain climate that contrasts sharply with the hot thermal water. The spring emerges within the developed resort grounds, with the Homestead facility having shaped the local landscape since the 18th century. Nearby peaks and valleys offer skiing, golf, and mountain recreation.
The thermal spring gave its name to the town and attracted development beginning in the 1700s when early settlers recognized the water's exceptional heat. The Homestead resort evolved from primitive bathhouses into a grand hotel, hosting presidents and prominent visitors throughout American history. The property developed championship golf courses and, in 1959, Virginia's oldest alpine ski resort. The spring remains the foundation of the resort's spa operations, continuing a tradition spanning more than two centuries of thermal bathing at this location.
The spring itself sits on private resort property with access through the Omni Homestead. Public thermal bathing requires resort fees or guest status. Visit spring through fall for golf and hiking, winter for skiing. The nearby town of Hot Springs offers limited services. Bolar Mountain Recreation Area on Lake Moomaw, 12 kilometers away, provides public camping with reservations for visitors seeking budget accommodations while exploring the thermal spring region.
Is Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
Overview Bolar Mountain Recreation Area is a great destination for visitors looking for a fun getaway on Lake Moomaw. The area provides plenty of outdoor activities, including boating, fishing, camping and hiking. There is little to no cell service, so be ready to disconnect! Recreation Boating, canoeing, water skiing and relaxing on the beach are popular activities at the lake. Anglers fish for brown and rainbow trout, bass and crappie. A boat ramp is located at the Bolar Flat Marina, which...