Disclaimer

Last updated: April 2026

Informational use only

HotSpringIndex publishes data, scores, rankings, and analysis about U.S. natural hot springs: water-temperature classification, locations, and safety. Everything on hotspringindex.org is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not professional advice and should not be relied on as the sole basis for any consequential decision.

Nothing on hotspringindex.org constitutes financial, legal, medical, tax, investment, real-estate, insurance, or engineering advice. Always consult a qualified, licensed professional for decisions that affect your money, health, safety, legal status, or property.

Data source and accuracy

The underlying data displayed on hotspringindex.org is derived from the USGS/NOAA Thermal Springs List for the United States. We do our best to process that data faithfully, but we make no representations or warranties — express or implied — about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of any information, analysis, or related graphics.

Source records may contain errors, be incomplete, be reported late, or be restated by the issuing agency after publication. Where the source corrects a record, HotSpringIndex will follow on the next refresh — but there may be a lag. Always verify any figure against the original source before acting on it.

How we process this data: We classify each spring from the maximum surface temperature in the USGS/NOAA Thermal Springs List into five water-temperature tiers: Cool (below 86°F/30°C), Warm (86–99°F), Ideal (99–104°F — the classic hot-tub range, capped at the CDC/CPSC safe limit), Hot (104–113°F — above the safe limit, burn risk), and Scalding (above 113°F/45°C — dangerous, often a vent or geyser). Springs with no recorded temperature are shown as “temperature not recorded” and never assigned a tier.

Refresh cadence: The underlying USGS/NOAA inventory is a historical reference dataset (compiled 1965–1980) that is rarely revised; we refresh when the source is updated.

Known limitations of this source: The recorded figure is a maximum SURFACE temperature, not a soaking-pool temperature, and it is historical — real temperatures vary by season, rainfall, and location. The data carries no access, ownership, or developed-vs-primitive information; many springs are on private, tribal, or protected land, undeveloped, or dangerous. A tier is a temperature classification, NOT a safety clearance or a recommendation to enter. Hot-spring water can scald; always verify legal access and current conditions with the land manager, test the water yourself, and follow Leave No Trace.

No warranties

hotspringindex.org is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis, without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, or course of performance.

No professional relationship

Reading, using, linking to, or sharing hotspringindex.org does not create any advisor-client, attorney-client, doctor-patient, or fiduciary relationship between you and HotSpringIndex or its operators.

Third-party links and affiliate disclosure

hotspringindex.org is free to read and ad-free. It contains links to third-party websites, and some outbound links may be affiliate links — if you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, always disclosed where it applies. We do not endorse, control, or assume responsibility for the content, products, services, or practices of any third party. Following a link is at your own risk, and a commission never changes our editorial judgment.

Rankings and scores

Any rankings, grades, or composite scores published on hotspringindex.org are editorial opinions derived from public data using documented methodologies. They are not professional certifications, accreditations, or endorsements, and they are not a substitute for independent due diligence.

Limitation of liability

In no event will HotSpringIndex, its operators, contributors, or data providers be liable for any loss or damage — including, without limitation, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits, data, or goodwill — arising out of or in connection with the use of hotspringindex.org or reliance on any information it contains.

External sites

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Changes to this disclaimer

We may update this disclaimer at any time. Continued use of hotspringindex.org after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated disclaimer. The "Last updated" date above reflects the most recent revision.

Contact

Questions about this disclaimer or a specific page? contact@hotspringindex.org.