North Stars:

Waste Management

Heritage Value

Water Management

“Once a ghost town in the San Juan Mountains, Dunton Hot Springs is now one of the most inventive hotel transformations in the country.”

The Azure Road Take

Approaching Dunton Hot Springs, you might wonder if you’ve taken the wrong road.

From Telluride, Highway 145 leads to West Fork Road No. 38, a dirt turnoff that climbs high into the San Juans — no guardrails, no signage, just hairpin turns shared with camper vans and Jeeps. If you’re in a sedan, you might question whether you’ll break an axle. If you’re using GPS, you’ll notice the signal’s gone dark. The only real way to know you’re on track is to have checked long before — or studied a paper map. That would confirm there’s only one road in, and one road out.

But no matter how slow you take the climb, you’ll eventually see the weathered metal gate and the wooden sign: Dunton Hot Springs. Then staff appear, take your bags, park your car for the duration of your stay — and hand you a cocktail with your name on it the moment you enter the saloon.

Once a ghost town in the San Juan Mountains, Dunton Hot Springs is now one of the most inventive hotel transformations in the country. The 1885 mining outpost has been reimagined as a luxury hideaway where restored log cabins, an original saloon, and soaking pools fed by hot springs offer a transportive sense of place — without tipping into kitsch. Legend has it Butch Cassidy hid out here after a bank robbery in Telluride. He came back later with his girlfriend and carved Butch + Kay into the bar, initials that remain to this day.

Who’s It For?

Travelers drawn to off-grid luxury with a dose of the American West’s wilder past. Ideal for couples, small groups, or retreat-style getaways where privacy, slow living, and natural beauty take precedence over high-speed anything.

Sustainability Chops

Dunton’s light touch on the land is part of its appeal. Instead of building new, the owners restored and repurposed 19th-century structures, including cabins, a general store, and the infamous saloon and bar using original materials and construction styles. A former building along the famous Pony Express route (mail delivery by horseback), now houses spa and yoga facilities.

In 2023, Dunton received the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council® (USGBC). In essence, the property maintains a small water use and energy footprint, avoids buffets in favor of small, well-managed meals to reduce food waste, and uses refillable bath products in all accommodations. The surrounding forest and land remain largely wild, benefiting local wildlife and preserving the delicate mountain ecosystem through organic maintenance.

The Location

Tucked deep in the San Juans, Dunton sits in a remote valley an hour from Telluride, reachable only by a winding mountain road lined with hairpin turns. You’ll pass through forests and cross creeks before arriving in the shadow of jagged peaks, where this vintage outpost has been lovingly brought back to life. Though summer might seem like the obvious time to visit – think hiking, biking, horseback riding – winter offers a slew of exciting activities for those who want more than a book by the fire. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice climbing, dog sledding, and snowmobiling are some of the energizing options on offer. During the winter, however, only one road remains open into the lodge – the route from Dolores. Plan travels accordingly.

Rooms

There are 13 guest cabins, many original to the 19th-century town, each uniquely restored. Expect hand-hewn logs, antique furnishings, and details like copper tubs, vintage lassos, and reclaimed timber floors. The Well House has its own hot spring and fireplace. For those who prefer glamping under canvas, Dunton River Camp offers eight luxury tents with king beds, ensuite bathrooms, and a restored farmhouse that shares the same historic DNA as the main property.

Food and Drink

Meals are shared communally in the saloon — the very one where Butch Cassidy is said to have laid low for two weeks after a Telluride bank heist. When he returned with his girlfriend, he etched Butch + Kay into the wood of the bar. Today, the saloon leans mezcalitas and espresso martinis over whiskey and cards, but that hideaway energy lingers. The drinks program includes top-shelf wines (including Burgundy and Beaujolais) alongside bottles from notable Colorado producers. The food is contemporary, seasonal, and well-paced — no buffets here — which cuts down on waste and the growth of a waistline.

Staff and Service

The team is small, tight-knit, and steeped in the story of Dunton. Expect insider anecdotes about the town’s wilder decades (like naked volleyball in the ’70s) as well as a first-name basis when it comes to meals, spa appointments, soak times, and afternoon cocktail hour.

Amenities

The bathhouse pool, fed by underground springs, is a highlight. Or take a dip under the stars in the smaller and hotter outdoor pool. An original Pony Express building, relocated from Colorado Springs, is now a spa and yoga studio. A library, outdoor fire pits, and hiking trails round out the offerings. River Camp guests get their own version of the experience with fly fishing, bikes, and hammocks under the cottonwoods. River Camp guests have access to the library and soaking facilities at Dunton.

Trip Details

Rates at Dunton Hot Springs start around $1,200 per night and are all-inclusive. Dunton River Camp rates start at $2,200 per tent per night (two-night minimum) based on double occupancy. The camp closes at the end of October, however, weather permitting.

Access to the property is via Telluride or Durango airports, with car service or a 4-wheel drive rental recommended. Dunton Hot Springs is open year-round, though summer and fall offer prime hiking and wildflower viewing, while winter sees snowshoeing and serene soaks. Weekdays are quiet — you might just have the place to yourself.