I was driving down a winding road through Arizona’s desert, and according to my GPS, I was just seven miles out from Castle Hot Springs when, suddenly, the paved road ahead of me ended. Stretching as far as I could view was a dirt road, strewn with rocks, and surrounded by stunning vistas and wide-open views of Lake Pleasant.
While a helicopter ride into Castle Hot Springs can be arranged, the majority of guests at the Castle Hot Springs resort—an oasis like no other—arrive via this dirt road.
I was in good company—others who have traversed this road to paradise have included the Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, and Astor families; Presidents Teddy Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy; a host of celebrities and dignitaries from around the world; as well as Indigenous Peoples and cowboys.
While the owners of Castle Hot Springs can certainly pave the road if they choose, its history and significance almost forbid it. It has become a literal transition from everyday life to an oasis in the desert—complete with ancient, healing hot springs—and a testament to its storied past.
In the beginning, Indigenous Peoples traveled to the hot springs for medicinal purposes. Over the years the springs drew numerous guests, and eventually, an Arizona entrepreneur purchased the land to capitalize on the restoring benefits of the water and desert environment, building Arizona’s first wellness resort on the land in 1896. The arrival of railroads (just before the land was purchased) and later a train depot made accessing the destination easier, and everyone from celebrities to presidents arrived to stay at the secluded, stunning, and restorative property which is nestled against the Bradshaw Mountains on 1,100 acres in a remote location northwest of the main metro Valley area.
As you bump along the dirt road leading to Castle Hot Springs—which underwent reconstruction and development in 2019—it’s easy to feel as if you went back in time. There’s nothing but dirt, mountains, and the road ahead.
And then, you see it. Castle Hot Springs.
The dirt road ends at a gate with a callbox, and once you announce yourself, you’ve arrived. The gates swing open and a literal healing oasis lies ahead, a destination where the hustle and bustle of everyday life quickly becomes a distant memory.
I arrived on property, checked in, and my car was whisked away. Here, every detail is attended to so that all you have to do is relax and recharge—whether that’s soaking in the springs, taking a yoga class or a mixology class, hiking, paddle boarding, sitting by the pool, or enjoying any of the other on-site activities.
The first activity I experienced was a farm tour, where a group of us walked amongst the three-acre farm and toured the greenhouse. It is absolutely incredible how so much of what is grown on the property is used in the true farm-to-table cuisine for the signature nourishing, flavorful, exquisite cuisine (I’m still craving some of the meals I enjoyed!).
After that, I settled into my Sky View Cabin (perfectly positioned for stargazing), a private cabin that also featured a private outdoor tub. There are also the Spring Bungalows, where guests can bathe in the healing properties of the natural spring waters in a private, custom Sonoma stone tub, and The Cottage, the historic and impeccably restored near hundred-year-old cottage. All are luxurious choices that will leave you wrapped in comfort and serenity.
The mostly all-inclusive wellness resort embraces luxurious nature and healing, and encourages its guests to relax and unplug. I spent my time in yoga and meditation classes; taking a guided hike; touring the property; indulging with a spa treatment; and spent time soaking in the hot springs.
Speaking of the springs, the ancient mineral-rich geo-thermal hot springs offer crystal-clear water to soak in, and the waters offer a wealth of wellness-boosting minerals. It is truly bliss.
Other activities available at Castle Hot Springs include riding e-bikes or cruiser bikes, going horseback riding, trying your hand at archery, playing pickle or bocce ball on the great lawn, experiencing Arizona’s first-ever Via Ferrata cable adventure course, and more.
At the end of my few days on property, I was nourished and relaxed, and ready to face the world once again. I checked out and my car was already pulled around and waiting for me right outside the lobby. I took a deep breath and drove down the road to the entrance and pulled through the gates, beginning my journey back down the miles of unpaved road, transitioning back to the present.