Stay near Morristown
Use Castle Hot Springs Resort as the trip anchor, then compare hotels or nearby town bases close enough for the soak, dinner, and the drive home.
About Arizona hot springs
We currently cover one Arizona property in depth: Castle Hot Springs Resort, the all-inclusive adults-only luxury resort in Morristown, 75 minutes north of Phoenix Sky Harbor airport. The state has additional hot springs (El Dorado Hot Springs in Tonopah, Verde Hot Springs near Camp Verde, Kaiser Hot Spring near Wickenburg, the wild Arizona Hot Springs in Lake Mead National Recreation Area), but Castle is the destination luxury anchor and the highest-cluster-volume property in the state.
Castle Hot Springs is one of the most historically interesting hot springs resorts in America. The original property opened in 1896 and operated as Arizona's first wellness resort, hosting Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy among other notable guests. A devastating fire in 1976 closed the resort. The site sat dormant for 42 years until the current ownership purchased it and began a multi-year restoration; the resort reopened in February 2019.
Today Castle Hot Springs operates as an ultra-luxury all-inclusive: 12 Spring Bungalows from $1,350 per night, 17 Sky View Cabins from $1,200 per night, with the all-inclusive rate covering meals, hot springs access (24/7 for guests), and most activities. The property is adults-only (16 and over). Each Spring Bungalow has a private hot spring-fed tub inside; each Sky View Cabin has an outdoor clawfoot tub on the deck.
The Arizona hot springs we recommend first
Ultra-luxury all-inclusive
Castle Hot Springs Resort
Restored 1896 resort. All-inclusive adults-only luxury. 12 Spring Bungalows + 17 Sky View Cabins. $1,200+ per night.
All Arizona hot springs in this guide
By region
Sonoran Desert (Phoenix area)
Castle Hot Springs in Morristown, 75 minutes north of Phoenix. The only luxury all-inclusive hot springs resort in Arizona.
When to visit
Castle Hot Springs is seasonal due to Arizona summer heat. The resort typically operates October through May and pauses or reduces operations during the hottest summer months (June through September). Confirm operating season with the resort before booking; this is the most common booking surprise.
Where to stay for Arizona hot springs
Start with the soak, then choose the town base that keeps the drive, dinner, and pool access simple. These links point to practical hotel searches near the main trip anchors.
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Questions visitors ask about Arizona hot springs
Is Castle Hot Springs really a luxury all-inclusive?
Yes. The nightly rate (from $1,200 for Sky View Cabins, from $1,350 for Spring Bungalows) covers lodging, three meals daily at Harvest Restaurant, 24/7 hot springs access for guests, and most activities (guided hikes, e-bikes, archery, farm tours, via ferrata climbing). Alcohol is billed separately, as are spa services and some adventure excursions. The all-inclusive model is unusual at the price point and is the resort's commercial distinction.
Can you visit Castle Hot Springs for the day?
No. Castle Hot Springs is a destination-only overnight resort. There is no day-pass option. The hot springs are reserved for overnight guests only. If you want a day-trip hot springs in Arizona, compare the free wild Arizona Hot Springs in Lake Mead NRA or rustic-developed El Dorado Hot Springs in Tonopah.
How far is Castle Hot Springs from Phoenix?
About 60 miles, roughly 75 minutes north of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. The route is I-17 N and then Castle Hot Springs Road, the last section of which is dirt and slow. The drive in is part of the destination-resort experience.
Is Castle Hot Springs family-friendly?
No. Castle Hot Springs is adults-only at 16 and over. Families with young children are not the target audience. The resort is built for adult destination weekends, anniversary trips, and small-group buyouts.
Did Theodore Roosevelt actually stay at Castle Hot Springs?
Yes. The original 1896 resort hosted multiple US Presidents (Theodore Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy among them) and was one of the most famous Arizona winter destinations in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The 1976 fire ended the original operation and the property sat dormant until the 2019 reopening.
Are there free hot springs in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona Hot Springs in Lake Mead National Recreation Area is the best-known free wild Arizona option, reached by hiking from the White Rock Canyon trailhead. Verde Hot Springs near Camp Verde is a primitive free wild option. Kaiser Hot Spring near Wickenburg is small and remote. The experience tier is very different from Castle Hot Springs.