Why You Can Swim in Warm Water at 7,500 Feet North of Alamosa

The San Luis Valley sits high and cold, the floor of it around 7,500 feet, where winter nights can drop well below zero. So a warm outdoor pool here feels like a small wonder. The story behind it is simple and a little accidental.

In 1955, drillers north of Alamosa were after oil. Instead they hit a pocket of geothermal water, the valley’s own underground heat coming up the well. That well became Splashland, and it has been a summer ritual ever since. According to the Alamosa County Chamber of Commerce, the water rises hot from the ground and reaches the pool at about 102 degrees, settling into a swimmable 88 to 96 degrees across the pool.

The same warmth runs under the valley floor in other places. A bit to the north, the Colorado Gators Reptile Park keeps its alligators through brutal winters using its own geothermal well. The heat is just part of life out here.

One practical note: Splashland is seasonal, generally open from late spring into mid-September, not year-round. So plan a summer visit. For current hours, the slides, and swim sessions, check the Alamosa County Chamber of Commerce page for Splashland before you drive out Highway 17.