It was late August 2024. A simpler time when we still had a simpleton for president of this great country of ours. This was weeks before the White House shit would hit the fan during a well-publicized debate but these Bad Hombres traveling around the wild west of California in their 34-foot Fleetwood motorhome had a pretty good inkling of what was really going on at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Late summer of the last term of Joe Biden’s epic fail as 46th president of the United 
States and these conservatives had to go sweat their way up some mountains to get their minds off of what a sorry state this country was in. We were two weeks into our four-month-long summer vacation. So far, I had climbed Mt Whitney in a single day. I had also hiked over two hundred miles in thirty days. If anyone deserves an afternoon at a Carson Valley day spa, it was this sweaty hiker!
This sweaty hiker needs some zen!
As a long-distance hiker, there is nothing I love more (Well, except an eighteen-mile hike to an epic alpine lake) than a soak in a relaxing natural hot spring. Or perhaps sweating in a 110-degree sauna. When my skin is dewy and leeching out all those chemicals from that SPF 60 sunscreen I’ve been slathering my body in for the last two weeks, I feel a little zen. A trip to any Carson Valley day spa is a great way to spend part of my vacation. But from Reno to Lake Tahoe, just which are the best day spas around?
Some days, this sweaty forest trekker has to make do with a cold plunge in an alpine lake. However, believe me, I would prefer a morning at an alpine hot spring. Luckily, throughout our last summer vacation, I found my way to multiple spas and natural hot springs from Carson City to Lake Tahoe.
“Carson City!”
As Jackie Chan quipped in Shanghai Noon, Carson City was settled as a gold rush town back in the late 1800s and today is known as the Nevada state capital. It also has a few great hot springs, such as Carson Hot Springs, founded during the gold rush. Their water comes from 35,000 feet under the earth’s surface and is full of sulfates, chloride, calcium, potassium and silica. Seriously, what is not in their earthly waters? Carson City Hot Springs has nine private hot tubs and is only thirty dollars to go for a soak in a private tub. It’s only seventeen dollars to use their outdoor pool and patio. Such a deal!
Take the waters
Located in Geneva, Nevada, David Walley’s Resort has great outdoor hot springs. Their hot springs are geothermally heated mineral hot spring tubs in a great mountain view setting. They are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Need to detox from too much Reno fun? Thank God for Steamboat Springs, located in Reno. The Healing Center and Spa at Steamboat Springs is a truly zen place to take the waters. Steamboat was founded in 1861. At the time, they were the only place outside of Bavaria where you could take the waters like this. Now, here in 2025, it’s only twenty dollars a person to use their outdoor tubs for an hour. They also have private geothermal soaks available for thirty dollars for an hour. You can also add on an infrared sauna (And why wouldn’t you?) for only fifteen dollars extra.
Just outside of Truckee, in Sierraville, a hop, skip and a jump from Lake Tahoe, sits Sierra Hot Springs. Yes, there is more to do in Truckee than ski and hike! For centuries, the indigenous people have thought these waters sacred. This clothing-optional spa sells three-hour passes or day passes. They also have camping on-site. They have two pools, a sundeck, showers and indoor cold plunge pools for guests to enjoy.
Looking for a rooftop pool and an infrared sauna treatment? It’s only sixty-five dollars for a day pass to the Refuge Spa in Reno. This is the only rooftop pool in Reno if you are looking for the best views around.
Looking for the best day spa on Lake Tahoe? Elements Day Spa is the only one with epic lakeside views. They are located at the Lakeshore Lodge and Spa. Elements is located on a private beach. They have an awesome outdoor pool and hot tubs as well as an indoor dry sauna. They do, however, not offer day passes to their spa facilities, so you do have to book a service to enjoy that Lakeside pool relaxation.
The best spa in the Carson Valley
The Spa at Atlantis is known as the go-to health spa in Carson Valley. It is a very pricy option at ninety-five dollars for a day pass. But if you are looking to spend a full day relaxing at a day spa, enjoying the laconium room and the brine-therapy lounge, not to mention hot tubs and indoor and outdoor pools, this is the very best spa in the Reno area. When you escape to the spa at the Atlantis Casino, they even have a complimentary tea lounge. When I was researching which was the best spa in the Carson Valley, this was the only day spa that had Brine inhalation-light therapy lounge, Laconicum Relaxation Lounge, and Aqua Lounge with experiential shower, along with all the pools and hot tubs.
Natural hot springs near the Carson Valley
If you are searching for natural hot springs close to the Carson Valley, you will be up for a drive. Buckeye Hot Springs near Twin Lakes is much closer to Bridgeport than Carson City. Yes, it’s a drive and yes, you must adventure four miles down a dirt road to locate this natural hot spring, but this one is located in the forest deep in nature. As far as a zen-like hot spring expiernce, this is the one.
Two hours north of Lake Tahoe, you can also explore the Feather River Hot Springs. Yes, it may be a drive to find a Carson Valley day spa but what an excellent drive it is! Feather River even has room for RV and tent camping. Yes, their RV sites have full hookups also.
With so many great day spa options from Carson City to Lake Tahoe, what are you waiting for? Schedule a spa day after your next hike!
