Most people know what a hot spring consists of (a natural source of hot or warm water), and that Calistoga is known for its mineral baths of all kinds. But how does it work, and why is this relaxation practice good for you?

One thing we’ve learned is that because heated water holds more dissolved solids, hot springs have a high mineral content, which means it’s all the better for a soak. And while there may not be a ton of scientific research into its health benefits, we do know that this practice of using heat to release toxins is tens of thousands of years old.

“Quiet nights, warm soaks—welcome to Calistoga.”

With its geothermal hot springs of mineral water running underground, Calistoga has a renowned history as a place of healing. Over 50 years ago, members of the Wappo tribe were the first to discover a natural volcanic hot spring near the foot of Mount St. Helena. The rest is spa-history, with visitors coming from far and wide to take part in the curative powers of Calistoga, by relaxing in a mineral-rich hot spring or a volcanic mud bath.

The health benefits may mostly be based on anecdotal evidence, but there’s no denying the zen-like state one emerges with after a long, hot soak. If it makes you feel better and more relaxed, that’s half the battle, isn’t it? We’ve rounded up some of our favorite spa experiences that offer that famed Calistoga mineral water for your next trip to Wine Country. Get ready to soak, steam, rest, and repeat.

Calistoga Spa Hot Springs

Because one healing geothermal mineral pool isn’t enough, Calistoga Spa Hot Springs has four, and each is heated to a different temperature to suit all preferences. Have a soak in the outdoor whirlpool, which can get as hot as 104° F (perfect for year-round dips), or enjoy the Soaking Pool and its 100° F waters. If you’re itching for some exercise as well as rejuvenation, the multi-lane lap pool is heated to a cool 80° F, and the wading pool is perfect for wee spa guests.

Quick insider tip—If you have a friend who just wants to join in on their geothermal mineral pools, they can accompany you as your guest for a $25 fee.

1006 Washington Street, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-6269

UpValley Inn & Hot Springs

Commitment is the word we’d like to use for UpValley Inn & Hot Springs, as they are one of the few properties that have their swimming pool and whirlpool 100% fed by Calistoga mineral water drawn from their on-site geothermal well. Once you’ve soaked to your heart’s content, indulge the body a little more in their handcrafted dry sauna and steam room. And with the crisp, refreshing decor and tranquil guest rooms on-site, you’ll never have to rouse yourself from your state of zen.

Feel like exploring beautiful Calistoga, but haven’t made plans past your spa experience? Fear not, you’ll be able to with the town’s complimentary shuttle service, providing on-demand transportation to dining, wine tasting, shopping, and other Wine Country activities, creating the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure.

1865 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-9400

Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Spa

Founded in 1952 by holistic wellness advocate, Dr. Jon Wilkinson, Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Spa is an homage to his dedication to the healing waters of Calistoga. Doc recognized the restorative properties of these mineral pools, which range in temperature from 85°F to 104°F. Plush daybeds and private cabanas are on offer for guests and include towel service and access to two outdoor pools and one indoor pool.

While staying at Dr. Wilkinson’s feels like a treat enough with its mid-century modern inspired interiors and palm-fringed pools, the true star of the show is in their unique treatments. Whatever you do, don’t skip out on the Volcanic Ash Mud Bath, revered for its detoxifying properties—which you might need after a few days of wine tasting.

1507 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-6258

Indian Springs

You’ll immediately notice Indian Springs‘ eastern influence in both the spa treatments and special features around the property, like the Buddha Pond, which makes for an excellent spot to meditate, or the Himalayan Salt Room. Their signature treatment is the luxurious Indian Springs Mud Bath Ritual. You’ll soak away the day in a luxuriating mud bath while sipping on refreshing cucumber citrus water. Then it’s time to wrap up your detox with a session in the infrared sauna and, of course, a nap wrapped in a flannel blanket. Talk about pampering!

If playing in the mud isn’t quite your cup of tea, book the Pure Goat Milk and Rose Bath or the Indian Springs Salt Glo to help rehydrate your parched skin. Of course, the mineral pools are the true pièce de résistance. Swim laps in the Olympic-sized mineral pool, built in 1913, or find a secluded oasis at the Adult Pool that’s exclusively for the grown ups.

1712 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 709-8139

Mount View Hotel & Spa

To make relaxation an art, start your getaway at Mount View Hotel & Spa. Take a dip in the mineral waters of the hot tub and then recline in style in a cabana by the heated pool. There are also a myriad of bath-related treatments to choose from at the spa, from oxygen baths to mineral mud baths. And for those who want a little more outside the box experience, the spa also offers Cannabidiol (CBD) oil massages. We’re willing to bet you don’t see that on the menu at your local day spa.

Mount View Hotel & Spa has also adopted a “cause integration” to hospitality and donates 50% of its profits to charity, to causes such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Ole Health, Project Ceres, and more. So if you’re civic-minded, you can relax easy knowing that while you’re laying your head at night, your stay is changing the world for the better.

1457 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-1500

Solage

This Auberge Resort takes the Calistoga hot springs spa experience up a notch. Artfully designed and ecologically conscious, Spa Solage includes updated twists to the renowned Calistoga mud and mineral water therapies. If you’re in town celebrating a romantic weekend, check out the Starlight at the Bathhouse experience, where you can soak, steam, and retreat in private under the stars. Sparkling wine and a shared dessert too? Don’t mind if we do.

When you’re ready for some social interaction, take advantage of Solage’s social events, with pool parties, sound meditation workshops, film festivals, and of course, learning to be a winemaker for a day.

755 Silverado Trail, Calistoga, CA 94515, (866) 942-7442

Golden Haven Hot Springs

Golden Haven has private, mineral mud bath rooms to accommodate duos, as well as individuals who want a little silent soak time. For a more communal, less muddy experience, check out their hot springs pool, which is heated by the hot springs mineral water and emerges from the ground at between 140-150° Fahrenheit.

With 28 rooms, Golden Haven also has space for an overnight stay, so you can remain in that totally zen state of mind. For the truly exclusive experience, book one of their hot springs rooms, which feature a private, two-person whirlpool spa. Best of all, the water that feeds this hot tub comes from the same underground hot springs source used throughout the resort. Doesn’t get more private than that.

1713 Lake Street, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-8000

Originally inhabited by the Wappo Native American tribe, who believed in the healing power of the hot springs that defined the region, Napa Valley’s town of Calistoga has long had a magnetic pull for those seeking rest and rejuvenation. In the late 1800s, developer, entrepreneur, and Calistoga founder Samuel Brannan saw the tourism potential for these hot springs, ultimately opening the Calistoga Hot Springs Hotel on the land he purchased in the area.

In time, Calistoga became known for these natural hot springs, and a wellness destination was born, with unique therapeutic treatments to go with it, such as the famous mud bath—a now-iconic spa treatment that, according to one spa-goer, “feels like you’re simultaneously floating in mid-air while an elephant is sitting on you.” Think cozy-weighted-blanket-meets-breezy-hot-air-balloon-ride. It’s incredible.

Take a load off after your Wine Country adventures at one of these seven soothing spas in Calistoga.

Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs

One of the early pioneers of Calistoga’s wellness scene, this longstanding property has been helping people take a load off for more than 70 years, when chiropractor and onetime Calistoga mayor Dr. John “Doc” and his artist wife Edy Wilkinson first founded the hotel and launched Calistoga’s original mud bath in 1952. Guests can enjoy the spa’s extensive selection of mud baths, geothermal mineral pools, mineral baths, falling water treatments, and massages, along with a broad suite of unique add-ons like CBD enhancements, aromatherapy, hot-stones, and sound therapy.

Treatment to Note: Go big or go home during your Napa spa getaway with The Works. This signature experience was a founding treatment back in 1952 and is still offered today. First, immerse yourself in a 107-degree mud bath made from mineral-rich volcanic ash, Canadian peat, and mineral water (along with Doc’s secret formula). Then, shower off and soak in a mineral water hydrotherapy pool, enjoy a cleansing steam, wrap up in a cool blanket, and take in a massage.

1507 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-4102

Calistoga Spa Hot Springs

Located in downtown Calistoga, this hotel and spa is the perfect home base for your Napa Valley wellness getaway. Guests can enjoy a range of services from Swedish and deep tissue massages, mud, mineral, and steam baths, and reflexology, as well as access to a fitness studio, including yoga, Pilates, boot camp, and TRX classes. Spa guests also have access to the hotel’s four geothermal pools, ranging from 80 to 104 degrees.

Treatment to Note: Experience the healing properties of dirt in the signature Volcanic Ash Mud Bath treatment, an ancient ritual said to detoxify the body, improve joint and muscle pain and circulation, and replenish the soul.

1006 Washington Street, Calistoga, California, 94515, (707) 942-6269

Indian Springs

Simply reclining by the Buddha Pond as you sip cucumber-citrus water and enjoy the soothing water sounds of the geyser-fed pond is zen enough at Indian Springs Resort. However, there is much more on offer at this historic Napa Valley retreat. In addition to their iconic Olympic-sized hot springs mineral pool, Indian Springs features an enormous selection of classic and personalized wellness treatments, including CBD and deep-tissue massages, specialized facials for men, women, and teens, mud baths, scrubs, and even a luxurious Pure Goat Milk and Rose Bath experience.

Treatment to Note: The Holistic Facial, exclusive to Indian Springs, incorporates sound healing with Tibetan singing bowls, Ayurvedic Marma point therapy, Gua Sha stone facial massage, and a decadent regimen of natural and organic masks, serums, and moisturizers designed to restore the natural biome of the skin.

1712 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 709-8139

Spa Solage at Solage Calistoga, Auberge Resorts Collection

A member of the ultra-luxurious Auberge Resorts Collection, no detail is overlooked at Solage Calistoga. The hotel’s expansive spa and wellness facilities comprises 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space centered on Calistoga’s mud and mineral water therapies. Visitors can experience a full spectrum of temperatures in Spa Solage’s geothermal pools, from Wim Hof-style cold to soothing bathwater warm; detox in an infrared sauna or eucalyptus steam room; get pampered with one of many massage, facial, or mud therapy treatments; take a class at the state-of-the-art fitness center; or simply enjoy an environment of calm on the gorgeous Solage grounds. 

Treatment to Note: The Solage Signature Mudslide is an absolute must. This three-part treatment features a mineral-enriched mud treatment, a dip in a private soaking tub with geo-thermal mineral waters, and a rest in one of Spa Solage’s unique sound chairs. Once you’re feeling on top of the world, kick back with a fireside craft cocktail at Solbar. 

755 Silverado Trail N, Calistoga, CA 94515, (866) 942-7442

Roman Spa Hot Springs Resort

Nestled in the heart of Calistoga, Roman Spa Hot Springs Resort is a true oasis of rejuvenation. Guests can indulge in a variety of spa treatments, from massage and aromatherapy, to facials, mud and mineral baths, and couples’ experiences, all set amidst Napa Valley’s splendor. Staying overnight? Take the spa experience to your room in one of the resort’s Splendido Suites, complete with Roman Spa-like bathrooms, two-person whirlpool tubs with geothermal waters on tap, and in-room dual fireplaces.

Treatment to Note: Sink into a luxurious Mineral Bath, filled with geothermal water that flows from deep in the earth below the spa. Once you’ve applied a clay mask and exfoliated your stress away with a sugar scrub, rinse off and marinate in your new sense of well-being in the relaxation room.

1300 Washington Street, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-4441

Golden Haven Hot Springs Spa & Resort

Specializing in spa treatments for couples and friends, Golden Haven is the perfect spot for a quick getaway to reconnect with a loved one over some rest and rejuvenation. This Calistoga spa offers a wide range of treatments, from massages and facials to mud and herbal mineral baths. If you prefer to extend your bliss, Golden Haven offers overnight accommodations in one of their 28 rooms, all of which include complimentary Wi-Fi, coffee, tea, bottled water, and bike use. Some even feature an in-room hot springs spa for a little extra pampering.

Treatment to Note: Golden Haven has treatment rooms that can accommodate up to four people at the same time. Book one of the various Couples and Friends Spa Packages and bond over a combination of mud and mineral baths, cool down wraps, and massage treatments together.

1713 Lake Street, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-8000

MoonAcre Spa & Baths at Calistoga Motor Lodge

If it’s vintage vibes you’re going for, check in to MoonAcre Spa for a relaxation experience unlike any other. Part of the charming Calistoga Motor Lodge, a pet-friendly, retro-style motel, MoonAcre is a playful take on the classic Calistoga bathhouses of the 1880s. Hotel and day guests looking for an easygoing communal experience laced with fun and a bit of whimsy can enjoy one of the many treatments on MoonAcre’s extensive spa menu, from seven different types of massages, to facials, to mud bath and mineral soak experiences, and even private wellness classes for individuals and small groups. MoonAcre Spa also prides itself on the use of organic and locally-sourced products as part of its commitment to sustainability and holistic wellness.

Treatment to Note: The CBD Mineral Soak is said to be the perfect hangover cure, which may come in handy after a day of wine tasting in Napa. Let all your cares melt away as you luxuriate in a restorative bath infused with organic CBD and a blend of lavender and bergamot essential oils.

1880 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-0992

On a recent trip to Wine Country, I was convinced to go not only to sip on the best cabs and pinots Napa Valley had to offer, but to get down and dirty with a mud bath spa treatment from MoonAcre Spa and Baths at the Calistoga Motor Lodge.

Framed by vineyards and bike trails, with underground, geothermal hot springs of mineral water, Calistoga has a renowned history as a place of healing. Over half a century ago, members of the Wappo tribe were the first to discover a natural volcanic hot spring near the foot of Mount St. Helena. The rest, as they say, is spa-history, with patrons coming from far and wide to partake in the curative powers of Calistoga, by relaxing in a mineral hot spring or a volcanic mud bath.

The latter was what I had signed up for, though upon arrival, I was informed that enjoying MoonAcre’s ‘mudocracy’ was less a mud bath than it was a playful, mix-your-own mud bar. The new take on an age-old health ritual fit right in with MoonAcre’s updated and unbuttoned aesthetic and vibe. Still, it relinquishes none of the luxe factors you’d want in a spa, such as a selection of massages, facials, luxurious products, as well as specialty treatments starring Calistoga’s famed mineral water.

Modeled after a classic bathhouse, MoonAcre Spa and Baths puts a quirky spin on mineral springs and therapies from around the world. The spa features seven treatment rooms, and several, such as the changing room and the steam room, are covered in a soothing palette of soft mint and deep blue pool tiles, encouraging a deep-seated relaxation no matter your chosen experience.

Just outside the changing rooms, I sip a cold glass of lemon-cucumber water and admire the wall of words that advises snake oil and other restorative libations. The tongue-in-cheek signage tickles my writerly fancy (elsewhere, in a similarly tiled soak room with four standalone clawfoot tubs, a sign labeled ‘Pool Rules’ advises patrons ‘do not attempt duet event without partner’), though it is perhaps not for anyone who can’t laugh a little at life.

The MoonAcre spa itself is set serenely away from the bustle of the lodge, in a secluded area of the property. The spa is larger than it looks from the outside, with a large enclosed garden and patio area, with plenty of lounge furniture for quiet sunning. I catch a glimpse of the egg-shaped Acapulco and imagine myself lounging on it in the sun with one of MoonAcre’s mimosas or glasses of mulled wine, before reminding myself that I’m here to draw the toxins out, not imbibe them in.

A spa attendant arrives to escort me and my spa-mate to the outdoor sink, where she has set out two pails of dirt. What I learn, however, is that this isn’t just any garden variety dirt — this stuff is from France, and when mixed properly, becomes Green French Clay and White Caroline Clay.

She reiterates that this won’t be a traditional mud bath. I don’t particularly mind, since those require me to be neck deep in a tub full of ash, peat, and mineral water, waiting for the heat — generated by my own body and insulated by the mud — to draw out the toxins in my skin. To be absolutely transparent, I’ve never done a traditional mud bath, but I vastly prefer this DIY mud bar experience, since the mud is created in small, fresh batches, and I can still enjoy a full range of motion while waiting for my skin to purify.

Patiently, the spa attendant instructs us on how to properly cover ourselves with the clay. The White Caroline is for the face and neck and other sensitive areas, such as under our arms or behind our knees, an area of skin that, up until this very moment, I had given zero consideration. The green clay is for everywhere else, and we’re encouraged to really coat it on.

She shows us to the steam room, since the winds outside make it too cold to lay out in the darling patio garden. Inside, the air is a visible, white mist, and we giggle as we start smearing white clay on our faces, unsure if we are doing it right. We realize that we have been given permission to cover ourselves with mud and commit with enthusiasm. The white clay is fine and goes on smoothly, like an expensive night cream. The green clay is chunky and cool and gloriously gloopy, and we slather it onto ourselves before laying down, mud-side up, basking in the eucalyptus scented steam. My spa-mate immediate zones out with a cool towel over his eyes, so I am left to amuse myself. I check to see how the clay is doing, and in lifting my legs, discover that the color of the clay on my skin matches the beautiful green pool tile. I say as much to my spa-mate, and get nothing in response. My fingers slip and slide, redistributing the mud and coloring my legs, an experience remarkably like the fingerpainting sessions of my childhood.

After ten or so minutes, we go outside to rinse off the mud in the outdoor showers, where the spa attendant has also set fresh bowls of clay for us to paint our front sides. By now, the wind has died down considerably, so we opt to paint ourselves out in the enclosed patio. We take turns, each one laying face-down on the teal pool chairs as the other literally paints on the clay. It’s fun and whimsical in a way I hadn’t expected, taking a clean paint brush and using long brush strokes to color my spa-mate’s back, wrist up, wrist down, coloring inside the lines of my fellow mud-adventurer’s silhouette.

When both of our backs are coated with clay, we lay on our towels, ready to bake. It takes surprisingly little time for the mud to harden, and soon the back of my arm looks like it has developed an advanced state of Greyscale. Back into the eucalyptus mist we go, laying on our stomachs, and I watch as the baked clay on my arm slowly rehydrates over the course of our second steam session. Feeling utterly relaxed, I look out at the garden through the glass doors, and note dreamily the quality of the world through the condensation-heavy panels. The steam room meditation ends all too soon, as there is another pair that has booked the mud bar experience after us, but I can hardly complain because I am zen.

After a luxurious wash in the rainfall shower (make sure it’s a good one — the clay ends up in rather unexpected places), in which I use all the in-house, grapefruit-scented products, it’s time to head home, driving through Napa Valley but already dreaming about my next Calistoga spa trip.

1880 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga, 94515, (707) 942-0991