There is a particular kind of quiet that greets you in Warm Springs, Virginia. The kind that arrives before you’ve fully stepped out of the car. No traffic light, no noise, just a small mountain town and, just off the road where Route 39 meets Sam Snead Highway, a pair of round stone bathhouses that have been standing since the late 18th century — a soaking ritual steeped in more than 200 years of history.
People have been coming here for a long time. Native Americans considered these waters sacred long before European settlers arrived. Later, wealthy southerners made a ritual of “taking the waters” in the mineral-rich springs of the Allegheny Mountains. Thomas Jefferson soaked here daily for three weeks, seeking relief for his rheumatism. Presidents and travelers have followed ever since.
We visited on a spring morning, fresh from a stay at the Omni Homestead Resort just five miles down the road. The pools are managed by the Omni, but they exist at their own unhurried remove — separate from the resort’s activity and energy, tucked into the small community of Warm Springs in a way that feels entirely right.
The Pools
There are two bathhouses — the Gentlemen’s and the Ladies’ — both built over naturally flowing mineral springs that maintain a constant temperature of 98 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. The water is fed by four springs with a combined flow of 1,700,000 gallons per day, rich with magnesium sulfate, iron, silica, manganese, lithium, and more. It does not recirculate. It simply flows, as it has for centuries.
The structures themselves were carefully restored in a $4 million renovation completed in December 2022, preserving their historic character while updating the facilities for modern use. The wood and stone feel entirely of their era — worn in the best way, thoughtfully maintained. The water is six feet deep. Towels and pool noodles are provided.
Each bathhouse also has its own overflow area — a smaller, separate soaking space available to guests during their 50-minute session. The Gentlemen’s Bathhouse overflow features higher-pressure falls that hit differently, more like a massage than a soak. It’s worth building that into your time. What strikes you most, once you’re in, is how uncomplicated it is. There is nothing to do but float.
Soaking Times and What to Know
The pools are open Tuesday through Sunday, closed on Mondays. Hours vary by season — starting as early as 9:00 a.m. in late winter and spring — so it’s worth confirming the current schedule when you book. Sessions are 50 minutes and reservations are required; walk-ins are not guaranteed.
Family soaking runs from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. daily, with swimsuits required and children under 16 welcome with a parent. Co-ed adult soaking follows with swimsuits required for guests 16 and older. Later in the afternoon, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., soaking becomes gender-specific and clothing optional for guests 18 and older.
The experience is designed to be quiet and restorative. Guests are asked to keep their voices low and phones away. It’s worth respecting — the atmosphere is a significant part of what makes it worth the visit.
Pricing
A 50-minute soak is $35 per person Monday through Thursday and $40 per person on Fridays, weekends, and major holidays. Bath County residents receive a 20% discount with a valid ID.
Warm Springs
There’s a good reason to linger in the town before or after your soak. Milk House Market, located in the Old Dairy complex just down the road, is a natural stop for lunch — crafted sandwiches, fresh salads, and a setting that feels very much of the place. For the evening, the Tavern at the Inn at Warm Springs is worth a reservation. It’s the kind of dinner that earns its setting — relaxed, warm, and genuinely good.
If you have time in the afternoon, Troddenvale at Oakley Farm is just minutes away. A small-batch cidery set in a beautifully restored 1920s stable on a working farm, it’s the kind of place that makes Bath County feel entirely like itself. Tastings are available, and the orchard views are something.
A note for those traveling with dogs: the Warm Springs Pools do not permit dogs on the premises. Plan accordingly if you’re visiting with pups.
Bath County as a whole — the only county in Virginia without a traffic light — moves at a pace that matches the pools perfectly.
If You Go
The Warm Springs Pools are located at 11 Bath St, Warm Springs, VA 24484, approximately five miles north of the Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs. Open Tuesday through Sunday — hours vary by season, so confirm the current schedule when booking. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 540-839-3860 or through the Omni Homestead website. Dogs are not permitted on the premises.
→ Reserve your soak at the Warm Springs Pools
→ Staying at the Omni Homestead? Read our full guide here
A comprehensive guide to Bath County, Virginia — coming soon to Truffles & Chai.
