Quick Info
Springs: 8 public springs downtown. Cost: Free. Taste: Each is different—some pleasant, some challenging. Best experience: Self-guided walking tour. Bring: Reusable water bottle.
The mineral springs gave Manitou Springs its name and its soul. The Ute people considered these waters sacred, believing each spring held different healing properties. Victorian-era health seekers came by rail to "take the waters." Today, eight public springs still flow, each with its own mineral content and distinct flavor.
The springs are naturally carbonated—the water bubbles up from deep underground, picking up minerals from the rock formations. Each spring taps a different aquifer, so no two taste alike. Some are pleasant and refreshing. Others are... an acquired taste.
The Springs Walking Tour
A self-guided walking tour covers all eight springs in about an hour. Maps are available at local shops, or just follow the signs. All springs are within a few blocks of Manitou Avenue.
Shoshone Spring
Location: Manitou Avenue at the Spa Building. Flavor: Mildly mineral, one of the most drinkable. This is the most photographed spring with its ornate pavilion.
Navajo Spring
Location: Manitou Avenue near Canon Avenue. Flavor: Lightly effervescent, clean tasting. Many visitors find this one the easiest to enjoy.
Cheyenne Spring
Location: Ruxton Avenue near the Cog Railway depot. Flavor: Strong mineral taste, high iron content. The reddish staining around the fountain tells the story.
Twin Spring
Location: Ruxton Avenue. Flavor: Two spouts with similar mineral profiles. Moderate carbonation, slightly salty finish.
Stratton Spring
Location: Memorial Park. Flavor: Highly carbonated with a strong mineral bite. Named after gold mining magnate Winfield Stratton.
Wheeler Spring
Location: Near the Penny Arcade on Manitou Avenue. Flavor: Sulfurous notes—the infamous "rotten egg" spring. Try it if you dare.
Soda Spring
Location: Soda Springs Park on Manitou Avenue. Flavor: Sweet and fizzy, almost like natural soda water. One of the most pleasant.
Iron Spring
Location: Iron Springs Melodrama building area. Flavor: High iron content, metallic taste. Once marketed for its health benefits.
History of the Springs
The Ute called this place "Manitou," meaning "Great Spirit." They believed each spring had different powers—some for courage, others for healing. The springs were neutral ground where even warring tribes could gather peacefully.
In 1871, General William Palmer founded Colorado Springs and promoted Manitou as a health resort. Hotels and bathhouses sprang up. Visitors came by train to soak, drink, and breathe the mountain air. Doctors prescribed specific springs for specific ailments.
By the early 1900s, changing medical views diminished the "cure" claims. But the springs remain, flowing as they have for millennia, free for anyone to sample.
Tips
Bring a reusable bottle. Fill it at different springs to take home or compare flavors. Some visitors prefer certain springs cold from a cooler.
Pace yourself. The minerals can have a laxative effect if you drink too much too fast. Small sips at each spring.
Try them all. Even the challenging ones. Wheeler Spring's sulfur smell makes for a memorable experience—and great photos of reactions.
Combine with downtown exploring. The springs are scattered among shops and restaurants. Make a day of it, stopping for coffee or lunch between springs.
The carbonation is natural. These aren't artificially carbonated—the effervescence comes from dissolved carbon dioxide in the aquifer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the mineral springs safe to drink?
Yes, all eight public springs are regularly tested and safe for drinking. The mineral content may cause digestive effects if consumed in large quantities.
Which spring tastes the best?
Most visitors prefer Navajo or Soda Spring for their lighter, more pleasant flavors. Cheyenne and Wheeler are acquired tastes.
Can I take water home?
Absolutely. Bring containers and fill up at your favorites. The carbonation will dissipate over time, so drink within a few days.
Are the springs actually healing?
Victorian-era claims of medical cures aren't supported by modern science. But the minerals do provide trace elements, and the ritual of drinking the waters has its own value.
Do the springs ever run dry?
Flow varies seasonally, but they've never stopped completely. Deep aquifers keep them running year-round.