Hot springs

For destinations named "Hot Springs", see the Hot Springs disambiguation page.

Hot springs are natural features resulting when ground water is heated (sometimes far beyond the level of human endurance) by geothermal forces and brought to the surface, typically becoming diluted with cool surface water on the way. Many are in attractive locations and are scenic (e.g. the geysers of Yellowstone National Park, Kamchatka and New Zealand) or celebrated (e.g. the original town of Spa), hence are attractions or even destinations in their own right. For the hot-spring aficionado and the greatest pleasure comes not from just looking at the spring, but from getting into the water for its therapeutic powers, not to mention just because it feels good – really good. eHalal Travel Guide will help travelers get the most out of their hot-spring experiences world-wide.

"Developed" versus "wild" thermal spas (Muslim Friendly)

The term "hot spring" means different things to different people, and it's a good idea to know just what manner of hot spring you're bound for at a destination, because it may be something quite different from what you're expecting. In English the term is used more or less interchangeably for "wild" springs, where the water emerges directly from the ground into a natural catchment that can be used for bathing, and "developed" springs, which exploit the spring through construction of man-made artifacts such as pools and bath houses. "Wild" springs and "developed" springs can differ so much, and in so many ways, that the visitor expecting one and getting the other may not enjoy the experience very much. Some examples:

• Wild springs are often (although not always) on public land or otherwise accessible to the public without charge, while developed springs are almost invariably intended by the developer to make a profit, and hence will charge (and be in a legal position to demand) an admission fee.

Okuhida Bath Kodakara2 - Hot springs in Oku-Hida, Japan]

• You can't count on creature comforts at a wild spring; you may have to sit on a rock at water's edge to doff your clothing, and pre-entry showers are pretty well out of the question, let alone amenities like poolside drinks that a developed spring may offer. On the other hand, wild springs are generally open-air and take you "back to nature" in ways that a developed spring may not.
• At a wild spring, water temperature is purely on an as-is basis; the swimmingpool where you bathe will be at a temperature that's regulated solely by the relative proportions of water from the spring and meteoric (surface) water that the terrain imposes. As a consequence, water at wild springs can be uncomfortably, or even dangerously, hot. Commercial operators of developed springs will generally ensure that the water temperature is appropriate (sometimes offering several choices of temperature in different pools) through dilution of the spring's effluent with water from the commercial supply or other sources. This distinction is particularly important; the bather used to "tame" water from a commercial spring who wades directly into a seething-hot wild spring can receive a scalding, and even fatal, surprise.
• Hot-spring water is usually fairly safe from the standpoint of carrying disease-causing organisms, but some is not (see below under "Stay healthy"), and the surface water that cools a scalding spring to usable temperatures will be prone to the same bugs and pathogens as any other surface water. Operators of developed springs may (or may not) take steps to disinfect the water, but at a wild spring, you're obviously on your own.

A "developed" hot spring is not necessarily a commercial hot spring, i.e., one that has been developed for profit-making purposes. The distinction can be important in countries and regions where the political/economic system allows for both for-profit and public-interest/non-profit/governmental development; regulations for doing the developing will often differ between the two cases, as will the resulting amenities, access, etc. For example, as a general rule, springs in the United States that have been developed by government will have fewer amenities, but also lower admission fees, than for-profit developments. In Japan, many thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) in rural locations are maintained by the local government and are open to the public for free, and even expensive spa resort citys usually have at least one public bath open to all for a token fee.

Spas

There is a difference between a hot spring and a spas|spa. The latter term denotes either a pleasantly warm tub of water (not necessarily originating in a hot spring) suitable for bathing for medicinal and recreational purposes, or the resorts – sometimes incredibly elaborate, luxurious, and expensive – where such tubs can be found, which incorporate massage, body wraps, and so on. Not every spa is based on a hot spring (many, perhaps most, simply heat meteoric water to the desired temperature); not every developed hot spring has spa-like amenities.

Non-English terms

Step one in locating a hot spring is knowing exactly how to say – or read – "hot spring" in the language of the nation you're visiting. Some translations into other languages:

• Chinese phrasebook|Chinese: 温泉 (wēnquán)
• French: Bain thermal or bain chaud
• German: Heiße Quelle
• Icelandic phrasebook|Icelandic: Hver
• Indonesian]: Mata air panas or sumber air panas
• Italian: Sorgente termale
• Japanese phrasebook|Japanese: Onsen (温泉).Japanese has a number of linguistic nuances associated with thermal spas (Muslim Friendly); see the Japan#Bathe|Bathe section of the Japan eHalal Travel Guide for more details.
• Korean Oncheon (온천)
• Portuguese: águas termais
• Slavic languages: frequently Banja (Бања)
• Spanish phrasebook|Spanish: Aguas calientes or Ojo caliente or Aguas termales
• Turkish: Kaplıca

(Please expand this list if you're fluent in a language not represented here.)

Access

Access to "commercial" thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) is a simple matter: you do what the proprietor asks (likely involving the exchange of money, and possibly requiring reservations) and then you use the spring. The situation is less clear-cut with "wild" springs. If a wild spring is located on private property, chances are good that the land owner will have the legal right to control access to the spring, including charging for entry if he/she wishes. If the land owner chooses to assert this right, honor it and do not trespass. Natural features the world over are being placed off limits as a result of trespassers abusing access that land owners had previously afforded visitors, with limitations. Please help fight this trend by respecting private property where applicable.

Springs on public land pose the most complex access issues. In the United States, a general but by no means universal rule of thumb (always inquire locally) is:

• Hot springs in United States National Park System|national parks and monuments are off limits, or at least carefully controlled, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
• Hot springs in national forests, including wilderness areas (except those in a national park/monument), generally are available for free use unless indicated otherwise.
• Hot springs on land controlled by the Bureau of Land Management are usually available for free use.
• Springs on state (as opposed to federal) property follow the same general pattern, but are perhaps somewhat more likely to have controlled access of one form or another, as the state is likely to exert somewhat closer control on its parks and forests.

If you have experience that allows you to give comparable guidance on other countries, by all means add it here.

What to take

• Most commercial springs will expect you to shower (usually with provided soap) before entering the water and theoretically to avoid contaminants that can clog filtration systems. If you're going to a wild spring, however, leave the soap at home. It isn't needed (since there's flowing, non-recycling water) and simply acts as a pollutant.
• A pair of flip-flops ("beachwalkers," "thongs," etc.) is handy for both commercial springs (where they'll often, but not always, be provided) and in the wilds, owing to slick surfaces and uneven footing.
• Some, but not all, commercial springs supply their own towels; if in doubt, have one available, and ask the proprietor if you'll need it.At wild springs, you're on your own, obviously. Note that if you use your own towel, whether at a commercial spring or a wild one, you'll be well advised to rinse it out soon after use, as the mineral content and, frequently, acidity of spring water can be damaging to the towel.
• Be skittish about cameras, for several reasons. Spring water can be damaging to a camera, not just if a non-waterproof camera is immersed (surprise), but also if water is allowed to dry on the lens, as mineral deposits that are extremely difficult to remove may result. Local mores may be such that other occupants of the spring take offense at being photographed; the fact that you're in a "tourist" or "informal" environment provides no defense.At a clothing optional location, photographing anyone nude without their consent is almost always considered rude, and can be illegal in many jurisdictions; this is particularly true of children.

Clothing-optional springs

At both commercial and wild springs, customs (and laws) vary substantially as to whether you're required to wear a bathing suit. Most commercial establishments will post their own rules, which may be "swimsuit required", "Naturism|swimsuit prohibited", "clothing optional", or "required until sundown and then nudity OK" (this is commonly seen in commercial hot-spring operations in the United States). Normal training at wild springs is much more a local, ad-hoc matter. As a general but by no means universal rule, in the United States, you should plan on wearing a swimsuit at springs in sight of a road unless the spring is specifically posted as accepting naturism; in the backcountry, you're on your own. It's wise to err on the side of conservatism, however, as some areas prohibit nude hot spring bathing and enforce the prohibition with fines. In most of Europe there are no laws regarding nude bathing, so it's up to you to decide. Local etiquette varies from spring to spring and country to country. If you know the standards and regulations in other countries, please expand this section.

Anyone offended by nude bathing should scout locations ahead of time if the customs or trainings at the spring aren't clear. Conversely, if you arrive at a spring and find a group with children, and everyone is wearing a bathing suit, you should either wait for them to leave or ask politely before disrobing.

In Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, Province of China, bathers are generally required to be nude in commercial hot spring resorts, though they are usually segregated by sex.

If you do wear a swimsuit, it's a good idea to rinse it out shortly after use. The water in many thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) is acidic to some extent and if allowed to dry in your suit it may damage the fabric.

Where to find them

Africa

Namibia

• Ai-Ais, developed

South Africa

• Montagu, HTTPS://WWWW.Wvalonsprings.co.za/ Avalon Springs, developed

Asia

Bhutan

Most thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) (locally called tsachu) in Bhutan have avoided overdevelopment and generally a trek is required reach them. Popular ones are in Gasa (neighborhood) | Gasa. Duer in Bumthang and Koma in Punakha (neighborhood) | Punakha.

China

Many places in Southern China — at least Fuzhou, Zhuhai and Zhongshan — have thermal spas (Muslim Friendly).

Indonesia

Air panjar - Air Panjar in Bali

Indonesia is a highly volcanic archipelago and consequently has thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) (air panas) all over the place, but many of them are not developed and off the tourist trail. Bali is a popular hot spring destination, but many of them are considered holy and have been developed into temples, where the local residents come to bathe (fully clothed) but foreigners may not be welcome. A few, however, have been developed and are open to all, such as Air Banjar near Lovina, where stone mouth carvings allow hot water to pass between pools which are set among a lush garden. Many developed hot spring resorts can be found in Western Java, with some of the most well-known in Ciater and Garut.

Japan

Japan is very active geothermally and onsen thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) dot the length of the entire country. The Japanese love their baths — so much so that the Japan guide has Japan#Bathe|an entire section devoted to the topic and a visit to a Japanese hot spring is a highlight of any trip.

The Japan's Top 3#Three Hot Springs|Official Top 3 most famous hot spring resorts are Atami (Kanto), Beppu (Kyushu), and Shirahama (Kansai). Dogo Onsen makes a solid claim to be the oldest and Hokkaido's Noboribetsu claims to be the largest, while secluded hot-spring hideaways can be found in places including Iya Valley (Shikoku), Yagen Valley (Tohoku) and Oku-Hida Onsen Villages|Oku-Hida (Chubu).Japan's major cities also have hot spring areas within striking distance, with Hakone and the many thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) of Gumma being popular getaways for Tokyoites and Kobe inhabitants nipping across the hill to Arima Onsen]. Last but not least, at the northeasternmost tip of Hokkaido is Shiretoko National Park and its remarkable Kamuiwakkayu-no-taki, a hot spring waterfall thought by the Ainu to be inhabited by the gods themselves.

Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur#Go next|Sungkai, Perak; Pedas, Negeri Sembilan; Selayang, Selangor;

Nepal

There isn't much of a 'hot spring' tradition in Nepal, but the residents of the aptly named Tatopani (tato = hot, pani = water) quickly realized that trekkers on the Jomson and Annapurna Circuit trails would pay for a hot soak. When soaking or swimming in Nepal it's best to have a swimsuit and sarong for modesty.

On the way to Rasuwa Fort, a Tibetan border point north-west of the Langtang valley and there is a small, beautiful hot spring. It's completely natural without any commercial development. The Nepali word for hot spring is tato pani, which means hot water.

South Korea

Koreans also love their oncheon thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) and Busan]'s Hurshimchung spa is a creditable contender in the heavily competed contest for the largest spa complex in the world.

Wulai Hotsprings 01 - Wulai Hotsprings, Taiwan

Taiwan

Being located on the Pacific Ring of Fire and thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) (Chinese: wen-chuan) can be found all over Taiwan, Province of China. Popular places for bathing near the capital Taipei are Beitou, Wulai and the Yangmingshan National Park.At Guanziling near Chiayi, you can even sample hot mud springs.

Vietnam

My An Onsen Spa on the outskirts of Hue.

Europe

Austria

The states of Lower Austria, Styria, Carinthia and Salzburg are crossed by a tectonic fault, resulting in a large number of thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) in the area. Most springs are commercially exploited. Towns with the prefix "Bad" in the name, such as Bad Gastein normally have hot spring facilities, which are usually accompanied by pools, private secluded saunas, rehabilitation centers and hotels of high standards. Wild springs do exist, but are more difficult to find.

Greece

There are many thermal spas (Muslim Friendly), traditional baths, spa and wild hot spring in Greece. Among them at Thermopyles (site of a famous anciant battle). It's free (un attended, hence with some trash around), used by he local residents, water 42c. Behind the gas station on the way to the thermopyles battle monument.

A day trip from Athens, you can visit Vouliagmeni Lake and Health Spa, a lightly-developed warm spring. Even in the cool of winter and the water remains warm enough to swim.

Iceland

See also: Icelandic Hot Springs

Iceland sits on the fault between the North American and European plates, which are slowly moving apart, and is home to the original "Geysir"; so it should come as no surprise that it has geothermally heated water aplenty. Public heated swimming pools and attendant "hot pots" are commonplace throughout the nation. The Blue Lagoon near Reykjavík, with its vivid, translucent blue, 100°F/40°C waters (cooled from their original temperature after being pumped from a mile underground and powering an electrical plant) is a popular destination.

Italy

Look for scattered thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) in the volcanic southern part of the nation. The island of Pantelleria has well-known thermal baths, and Ischia is famous for the springs there, some of them "subaqueous" (submerged in the sea). The island of Vulcano features a "mud bath" in which the springs manifest in a goopy mud reputed to have therapeutic properties, as well as more subaqueous springs along the adjacent beach where mud-bath users can wash off the mud.

Romania

Băile Herculane – Inside the town and up the Cerna river a number of open pools with hot spring water can be visited without charge. Locals of all generations mix with Romanian and international tourists.

Oradea – The region around the city has a number of commercial spas that appear to be developed from thermal spas (Muslim Friendly).

Serbia

In Serbia is located world hottest spring with healing teromomineral water. World hottest healing teromomineral water is hot water spring in Vranjska Banja (110°C). Special hospital for rehabilitation Vranjska Banja]

Spain

You can find working Moorish Baths, usually from natural hot spring sources, throughout southwestern Spain, including Granada (Spain) | Granada. Some of these include deep soaking pools or the more traditional steam room style.

There are some breathtaking uncommercialised natural thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) near Valencia where you can swim all year round.Access is not easy because the thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) are located in a mountainous and rural area, but you'll find tours operators in Valencia that will take you there for a reasonable price.

United Kingdom

The famous thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) at Bath (England) have been used by humans since Roman times, and probably long before, but until recently were in a state of disrepair and inaccessible to bathers, although still open for viewing. Recently the Thermae Springs have re-opened as a developed spring in which visitors can bathe (fee).

Middle East

Turkey

The waterfalls - travertine of Pamukkale, Türkiye - The calcite thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) and waterfalls of Pamukkale.

Thanks to the highly active tectonic plates it straddles, Türkiye is rich in thermal spas (Muslim Friendly), which are often clustered in certain parts of the nation.

South of Istanbul Marmara (region) | across the Sea of Marmara and the most popular areas with thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) include Çekirge, a suburb of Bursa, where baths supplied by the local springs were first developed by the Romans and have remained a travel destination ever since, and Termal near Yalova in a beautifully landscaped and lush valley setting that was developed in the early 20th century in the fashion of then-hugely popular Karlovy Vary|Carlsbad of Bohemia.

In the southwest of the nation, Pamukkale and the "cotton castle", is much better known than its counterparts elsewhere in Türkiye. These natural travertine thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) provide stunning natural beauty and wonderful warm water to soak yourself in. The bright white calcite deposits make it easy for visitors to walk along the cascading water (though officials are constantly moving boundaries and walking areas to preserve the area). Most of the pools are just large enough set your feet into and only a few of the larger pools go past your knees. Five minutes further up the white waterfalls of Pamukkale, you'll find the thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) of Hierapolis, where you can soak among sunken Roman columns (for a 20 Euro fee) submerged in an ancient pool.

A series of thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) extends across the landscape in the east of the nation, where they are usually known as çermik, derived from the Armenian word for thermal spas (Muslim Friendly), chermug. Of particular note is the Balıklı Kaplıca ("hot spring of the fish") southeast of Sivas, where a local fish species bred in the pools is claimed to cure (or rather, alleviate the symptoms of) psoriasis.

North America

Canada

Alpha swimming swimmingpool at Liard River Hotsprings, British Columbia - Alpha swimming swimmingpool at Liard River Hot Springs.

Hot springs in Canada cluster in geological settings similar to those of the United States (below). Banff National Park and Jasper National Park have well-known springs that are readily accessible to the visitor, and there are a number of hot-spring sites in British Columbia including those that are managed, such at Radium Hot Springs and Fairmont, and natural, such as at Tofino, Liard River Hot Springs and Fairmont.

Mexico

Mexico is a volcanic and seismically-active country, and there are likely to be thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) all over the landscape despite its aridity. A few commercially-developed springs are near Puebla, but their status following the re-activation of nearby Popocatepetl volcano is unknown; if you have information on springs in this area, please update this. Most the hotsprings of Mexico are in the Central interior states of Guanajato, Durango, and Chihuahua. The most accessible for Muslims are those in the Copper Canyon area. Baja California has a number of hot pools and thermal spas (Muslim Friendly); San Carlos, near Ensenada, Guadelupe Canyon west of Mexicali, and the seaside springs at Puertecitos are well-known.

United States of America

Most thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) in the continental United States are located west of theRocky Mountains (United States of America)|Rocky Mountains]], but there are a few in other, sometimes unexpected places. Quite a large fraction of the springs are in wild areas and entirely undeveloped, sometimes reachable only by a testing hike. Commercial springs vary wildly in degree of development; a few have been turned into posh, expensive resorts, but more are at the "rustic" end of the scale.

Alaska

Alaska is intensely volcanic, and wild springs abound; however, most are seriously inaccessible. Developed thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) exist near Fairbanks]. There are also some derelict developed thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) near Fairbanks which can make for an interesting hike, but beware of the legality.

Arizona

Commercial thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) are found at the unincorporated "town" of Tonopah, about 50 miles west of Phoenix. There have been recent changes of ownership.

Arkansas

Hot Springs (Arkansas) | Hot Springs National Park

California

Public thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) are located along the east side of the Eastern Sierra, many near route 395, in Bridgeport (Travertine, Buckeye), Mammoth (Hot Creek), and others. Deep Creek is located in Apple Valley, near the town of Victorville.

The town of Calistoga at the northern end of Napa Valley was founded as a geothermal thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) destination in the early 1860s and is still recognized as Northern California's leading thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) resort city. Today there are thirteen thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) resorts, hotels and day spas using thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) mineral water in their spa treatments. Calistoga Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, 1133 Washington St. Calistoga CA 94515 707-942-6333 / 866-306-5588 . The town's famous symbol of active thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) is the Old Faithful Geyser of California, one of only 3 in the world which erupt on a regular basis. Old Faithful Geyser of Ca., 1299 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga CA 94515 707-942-6463

Harbin Hot Springs 18424 Harbin Springs Rd. 707-987-2477 / 800-622-2477 in Middletown (California) | Middletown has private thermal spas (Muslim Friendly), spa, and retreat center.

Wilbur Hot Springs 3375 Wilbur Springs Road Williams, CA 95987 / (530) 473-2306 in Williams (California) | Williams is famous for it's healing waters, historic hotel, it's 100% solar powered energy, and world renowned nature preserve A healing experience with waters unlike anywhere in the world.

Colorado

Although not as volcanically or seismically active as its neighbors, Colorado has a number of thermal spas (Muslim Friendly). Major commercial springs are at Glenwood Springs (an enormous outdoor pool/spa complex) and Steamboat Springs, while smaller commercial operations are at Alamosa and in the Salida (Colorado) | Salida vicinity. A wild spring familiar to thousands of "peak baggers" who climb the state's highest mountains is Conundrum Hot Spring, near Aspen and not far below the summit of 14,000-foot Castle Peak. The weekend crowds at Conundrum can be substantial considering the length of the hike required to reach it; if you're bound for Conundrum, go during the week (and be vigilant for signs of altitude sickness, as the spring itself is over 11,000' in altitude).

Idaho

Where to Soak in Idaho?

Idaho alone has over 130 thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) soaking opportunities - that's a lot to choose from! To help simplify the matter, this website organizes thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) into 2 categories: Web:

Montana

Montana has deep thermal underground rivers under a large percentage of its large expanse. The largest swimming pools are at Fairmont Hot Springs outside of Butte. Quinn's Hot Springs outside of Paradise, Montana, is unique in that the water flows from tub to tub and cool, so that each swimmingpool is a different temperature. Bozeman Hot Springs is very popular. Norris Hot Springs, west of Bozeman offers organic food and live acoustic music poolside. One hot spring outside of Lolo is without any facilities and people decide their own dress code. Old fashion Saco Hot Springs is popular with hunters. Hot Springs, Montana, has a couple different pools and claims that the water has healing properties. Chico Hot Springs Resort and Day Spa is south of Livingston (Montana) near Yellowstone National Park and features many activities from horse back riding to dog sledding in the winter.

Nevada

Nevada has a surprising number of thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) considering its arid climate and lack of obvious volcanic/seismic activity. In fact and the slumbering earth is an anomaly in the geological history of the state, and there's plenty of geothermal energy available to drive the springs. Commercial springs cluster mainly around the Carson City/Reno/Lake Tahoe area, some of them quite extensively (and expensively) developed. The state, much of which is federally owned, also has a number of "semi-wild" springs—sites on federal land that are at the end of a dirt road, haven't been developed beyond maybe an impoundment and a bench or two, and are freely available, yet are not as difficult to reach as wild springs in other areas that require a significant hike to reach.

New Mexico

New Mexico is volcanic country, and both wild and commercial thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) can be found in the state. The North Central New Mexico|North Central region has commercial thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) at Ojo Caliente, a small town in the Española (New Mexico) | Española area, and at Jemez Springs in the Jemez Mountains]. The area also has several undeveloped springs north of Jemez Springs along NM Highway 4, and there are a few wild springs in the foothills of the mountains near Taos]. The Southwest New Mexico|Southwest region of the state also includes both developed and wild springs. The town of Truth or Consequences was formerly named "Hot Springs" because of its several springs with resorts. "T or C," as it's known locally, has undergone rebirth following some years of atrophy, with about ten commercial establishments offering soaks and spa services. Undeveloped springs are found in the wild country near Silver City, and Faywood Hot Springs, between Silver City and Deming, has undergone a major transformation and is now a premier destination area. They feature private and public pools, clothing optional and clothing required, with camp sites, RV spaces and a few cabins. (Note that undeveloped springs in this region have been implicated in at least one fatal case of PAME; see "Stay healthy" below, and be careful.)

North Carolina

Hot Springs Resort and Spa. Located in the North Carolina Mountains|mountains of North Carolina. Reserve the jacuzzi-style tub of your choice, each individually enclosed and private.

Oregon

Breitenbush 503-854-3320 private thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) and retreat center about two hours southwest of Portland (Oregon).

Cougar Hot Springs (undeveloped) is located an hour east of Eugene, Oregon, near Cougar Reservoir.

The Bagby Hotsprings are located in the Mt. Hood National Park. These facilities are free and natural, but you must hike about a mile to get to them.

South Dakota

The Badlands and Black Hills region contains a few springs, including a developed one at the imaginatively-named town of Hot Springs (South Dakota) | Hot Springs].

Texas

Texas is not as active geologically as most of the American West, but Big Bend National Park includes the ruins of Hot Springs Village, with what one might describe as a "feral" spring – one that was commercially developed at one time but has been abandoned and is returning to a natural state. Hikers can take advantage of an impoundment that survives from the time of the village; water temperature around 105 F.

Washington

Washington State has thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) located on the northern portion of the Olympic Peninsula as well as across the Cascade Mountains (Washington) | Cascade Mountains]. Check the book, "Hot Springs & Hot Pools of the Northwest"

Wyoming

[[4424-yellowstone-mammoth-hot-springs - Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park; a "look-but-don't-touch" hot spring, however the hot water runoff from this feature runs into a soaking area known as Boiling River

The presence of thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) in Wyoming should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with Yellowstone National Park and its amazing assortment of over half the world's geothermal features, with more than 10,000 examples, but the sites there are better suited to photography than to immersion. The springs within Yellowstone are generally off limits to bathing, and the prohibitions are vigorously enforced, at least in the main tourist areas. They are also dangerously – lethally – hot in many cases. People (and countless animals, including pets) have died from falling into some of the features at Upper Geyser Basin just minutes from Old Faithful and the visitor center. Yellowstone is not a place to tempt fate in a hot spring; don't enter the springs themselves, period. However, swimming is allowed (but not encouraged) at the Firehole Cascades swimming area, a section of the Firehole River that is warmed by thermal spas (Muslim Friendly). Boiling River near the north entrance at Gardiner (Montana) is located at the end of a well marked 1 mile trail. Hot water from Mammoth Hot Springs (pictured) mixes with the cold water of the Gardner River to make a perfect soaking area but be careful of the seasonably swift river current.

Commercial springs exist at Cody, Thermopolis and a few other places. The Thermopolis spring is notable as one of the world's largest, and also because a 19th-century treaty(!) dictates that one fourth of the spring's output remain free and available for public use rather than being captured by for-profit enterprises; the park preserving it therefore offers the rare treat of a "developed" spring (multiple bathing areas, changing room, etc.) that doesn't cost anything to use it. Wild springs most suitable for bathing are reached by trails along the Rockefeller Parkway connecting Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park, among other locations.

Central America

Costa Rica

This highly volcanic yet visitor-friendly country has several thermal spas (Muslim Friendly), with a concentration at the small town of Fortuna (Costa Rica) | Fortuna due to the proximity of the active Arenal volcano. Tabacon near Fortuna is a well developed spring/spa, with several options for visits. Another area where Hot Springs and Volcanic Mud Springs are usual to see in the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park|Rincon de la Vieja National Park area. Rincon de la Vieja National Park is full of volcanic activity.

Oceania

Australia

Northern Territory

There are many thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) not far south of Darwin and the most famous being Mataranka. You can swim where the hot water meets the cold Katherine River during the dry season.

Queensland

Innot Hot Springs on the Atherton Tablelands has hot water coming through the ground into a creek. The creek can flood in the wet season.

New South Wales

There are thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) near the Yarrangobilly Caves near Tumut in the Snowy Mountains region. There is a swimming swimmingpool built there.

Victoria

The Peninsula Hot Springs in Rye (Victoria) | Rye are an hour's drive south of Melbourne. The hot water is artificially pumped out of the ground to feed a selection of Japanese-styled bathing pools.

New Zealand

Excavations on Hot Water Beach -New Zealand-12Dec2008 (2) - Create your own thermal swimmingpool at Hot Water Beach near Hahei on Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand.

Most of the volcanic regions, and some non-volcanic regions, have thermal spas (Muslim Friendly). Some are in their natural state, and many have been developed into quite elaborate systems of pools. There are entire swimming complexes built around the spring water.

Rotorua and Taupo in the central North Island have developed complexes, and some natural swimming spots. Parakai, near Helensville, and Waiwera in the Auckland Region have developed complexes. Morere in northern Hawke's Bay has smaller facilities. At Hot Water Beach, near Hahei on the Coromandel Peninsula and there are thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) on the beach and you can dig your own hot swimmingpool in the sand.

Hanmer Springs has the best developed complex in the South Island. There are pleasant commercial springs in the Japanese style at Maruia Springs on the western side of the Lewis Pass 15 km east of Springs Junction on SH7 in the South Island. Bring a netting bag with a drawstring for your neck since the sandflies are hungry here. You can also dig your own natural hot swimmingpool in the North bank of the Lewis River's sands and gravels (just east of the pass itself) if you bring your own spade.

South America

Brazil

Caldas Novas has the nation's largest springs (so large it's called the Hot River in Portuguese) and many hotels.

Chile

• Villarrica
• Pucon]: Huife, Quimey-Co, Los Pozones, Palguín, San Sebastián de Río Blanco
• Curarrehue: Menetúe, San Luis
• Panguipulli:Geométricas, Vergara, Rincon, Coñaripe, Pellaifa, Liquiñe
• Curacautín]

Peru

Aguas Calientes – not merely the generic name for thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) in (Spanish), but the jumping-off point for travelers bound for Machu Picchu; it does offer thermal spas (Muslim Friendly).

Uruguay

Salto and Paysandú, in the Northern Interior (Uruguay) | northern interior of Uruguay, are popular destinations for thermal spas (Muslim Friendly).

Stay Safe

• Know the maximum temperature of the hot spring you're planning to enter. Most commercially-developed springs are diluted with cool water so that their temperatures are similar to those of residential "hot tubs," i.e., a maximum of about 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius). "Wild" springs, however, can obtain effluent temperatures far greater than this, indeed, far greater than what is safe. Temperatures as high as about 160 Friday (70 C) are common in thermal spas (Muslim Friendly), and some reach the boiling point; immersion in water this hot can prove fatal very quickly. A little dilution with surface water will go a long way, but be conservative unless you know the spring well.
• Many wild springs are gathering places for wildlife. Know what kind of animals might frequent the area of the spring, and be prepared for a greater than average likelihood of wildlife encounters.
• Thriller movies notwithstanding, very few of the world's thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) are acidic enough to pose an immediate safety hazard, although many are acidic to some extent. The few exceptions tend to have very obvious connections to active volcanism, e.g. the crater lake at the active Poas volcano in Costa Rica (which in any event is not open to bathing).

Medical Issues in Hot springs

• Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM or PAME) is an extremely rare but life-threatening infection caused by protozoa that inhabit some thermal spas (Muslim Friendly). The disease is caught by infected water being inhaled through the nose, as the pathogenic amebae migrate up the sinuses and surrounding tissue to the brain. If a brain infection results and the consequences are extremely serious, with death nearly certain. Don't allow the water up your nose – avoiding being submerged or standing under a hot spring waterfall such that the water pressure goes up your nose.Avoid inhaling spray when feasible. Also observe these precautions if there is any doubt as to whether waters in a commercial spa have been sterilized. You can't be infected via the skin, etc.