Sierra Hot Springs, tucked into the forest near North Lake Tahoe and Truckee in the tiny town of Sierraville, offers the only clothing-optional hot springs resort in the whole area.
But that's not the only surprise here. The 700-acre resort features several hot and warm pools, a cozy lodge, private wooded cabins and a restaurant that serves fantastic, organic food.
You can come up for a full day of relaxing, or even spend the night in the lodge or camp in a meadow near the resort's garden at Sierra Hot Springs.
The Meditation Pool at Sierra Hot Springs in the winter — Photo courtesy of Christina Nellemann
The resort, located down a private dirt road, has several hot pools with views of the forest or the stunning Sierra Valley stretching out for miles.
The non-profit retreat center also offers massages, Watsu, various workshops and special events, and their Philosophy Cafe serves incredible dinners a few days every week.
Sierra Hot Springs' Main Lodge has a wonderful front porch — Photo courtesy of Sierra Hot Springs
The pools, filled with natural water from underground, include the large Warm Pool that is open to the sky and the stars. This is the only pool available for children.
Next to the Warm Pool is the Temple Dome and the Hot Pool (105 to 110 degrees). The Hot Pool is located in the Dome, along with a large wooden Buddha statue, stained glass windows and two cold dip tubs. Silence is required in the Temple Dome.
Along the quarter-mile walk to the Warm Pool area, there's a small outdoor bathtub with natural hot water constantly flowing.
The Warm Pool and view of Sierra Valley — Photo courtesy of Sierra Hot Springs
Two other pools include the sandy bottom Meditation Pool, tucked into the woods near the campground, and the Phoenix Baths, which are seasonal pools inside private rooms available for individual use. A dressing room is available at the Temple Dome area, but only a gazebo is available for the Meditation Pool.
Massages and spa treatments are also available at Sierra Hot Springs, including Swedish ($75 for 60 minutes), Hot Stone Therapy ($120) and Watsu, which is an aquatic bodywork that focuses on stretching and massaging movements while submerged in warm water.
The Meditation Dome and Hot Pool at Sierra Hot Springs — Photo courtesy of Sierra Hot Springs
Guests who stay at the Main Lodge have access to the pools all night long, as well as the lodge’s community kitchen facilities.
The lodge’s Philosophy Café is located downstairs in the stone basement. The gourmet organic menu features wonderfully prepared meat and vegetable dishes that really celebrate food.
Dinners are served Friday through Monday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and prices range based on your order from $9 to $20 per meal.
Just remember: outside the pools, clothing isn't optional anymore!