Castle Hot Springs
Morristown, Arizona
5050 N Castle Hot Springs Road, Morristown, Arizona 85342
Original Property Opened in 1896
Historic Hotels of America member since 2024
Nestled just north of the Phoenix metropolitan area, Castle Hot Springs Morristown AZ is a 1,100-acre oasis in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. At the heart of the resort are its crystal-clear pools, fed by natural hot springs. This picturesque setting and the pools’ rejuvenating properties led to Castle Hot Springs’ development as the state’s first wellness resort in 1896. Unsurprisingly, the resort debuted to great success, attracting esteemed guests such as then-President Theodore Roosevelt, creatives like painter Maxwell Parrish and author Zane Grey, and influential figures from families like the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers.
After years of change, Castle Hot Springs resort was carefully restored to its former glory and re-introduced as an inclusive resort experience in 2019. Today, this award-winning retreat complements the natural, restorative waters with only 30 individual guestrooms. Visitors enjoy an array of innovative activities and intrepid adventures, from morning yoga and meditation to guided hikes, horseback riding, and canyoneering. An on-site farm supports the resort's culinary program, enhanced by an extensive wine list.
Please note that Castle Hot Springs is an inclusive, adults-only (ages 16 and up) resort, with daily meals, many activities, in-room amenities, and select gratuities included with every stay. However, certain offerings—such as alcoholic beverages, spa treatments, private wellness classes, and other select activities—come at an additional cost. Arrivals and departures are on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, with a minimum length of stay required. The resort closes seasonally from early July through late August.
Discover
- Honor the land’s Native American roots. Before European American settlers first stumbled onto the site, leading Castle Hot Springs to open its doors as Arizona’s original wellness resort in 1896, this stretch of Sonoran Desert backdropped by the rugged Bradshaw Mountains was a treasured retreat for the area's native people. Recognizing the healing properties of the geothermal waters, they would frequently visit the springs to bathe in its depths and sought to keep their existence a secret.
- Uncover the origin story of Castle Hot Springs. Although no definitive account of the geothermal springs’ discovery by European American settlers exists, stories say that the area was stumbled upon by prospectors in the mid-19th century, who spent their days combing through the Bradshaw Mountains in search of mineral deposits. During their explorations, they came across a desert oasis dotted with warm, tranquil springs and found that the waters rejuvenated their bodies after a long, hard day of surveying. Eventually, the land made its way into the hands of mining magnate Frank M. Murphy, who opened Castle Hot Springs in 1896, naming it after the parapet-like mountain spires that dotted the surrounding landscape.
- Walk in the footsteps of Castle Hot Springs’ most illustrious guests. As word of the resort’s healing waters spread, travelers from across the globe flocked to Castle Hot Springs, adding celebrities, creatives, dignitaries, and politicians to its guest list. Including influential families like the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Pews, and Astors, the resort also welcomed President Theodore Roosevelt, who was a guest during the dedication of his eponymous dam. Later, during the resort’s stint as a recreational center for wounded veterans during World War II, the future President John F. Kennedy convalesced at Castle Hot Springs, spending his days poolside reading Boston-area newspapers.
Explore
- Journey through the striking landscapes of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. Punctuated by the towering peaks of the Bradshaw Mountains above and rugged canyons below, the wild beauty of Castle Hot Springs’ sprawling 1,100 acres is ripe for adventure. During their stay, guests can explore the rocky hillsides in a variety of ways, including guided hikes, e-bike tours, and horseback rides past statuesque saguaro cactus and palm trees. Those looking for an adrenaline rush can up the adventure even further by off-roading during a UTV tour, canyoneering through a remote slot canyon, or strapping in for one of the only via ferrata climbing routes in the United States.
- Dig deep into sustainable growing practices at Castle Hot Springs’ on-site farm. Watered by the mineral-rich springs and stewarded by a team of skilled agronomists, this three-acre farm has everything it needs to thrive. Throughout the year, the farm team partners with the resort’s culinarians to cultivate and harvest more than 150 crops each season, giving guests an incredibly local farm-to-table (and even garden-to-spa) experience. Best of all, as almost all of the resort’s green waste is composted and returned to the soil, guests not only savor the farm’s bounty but help to nurture the next crop as well. To truly appreciate this little agricultural oasis, take advantage of one of the daily guided farm tours, participate in a seasonal homegrown gardening workshop, or simply stop and smell the roses during a stroll through the flower garden.
- Turn to the heavens for a star-studded exploration of the night sky. Thanks to the resort’s remote location, far from the buzz of the Phoenix metropolitan area, Castle Hot Springs is blissfully free of light pollution. With the rocky veil of the Bradshaw Mountains lending an extra dose of darkness, the glittering spectacle that is the Milky Way Galaxy unfolds overhead after nightfall. Guests can take in the rings of Saturn or the starry nursery that is the Orion Nebula during an astronomer-guided stargazing session or even when floating in the resort’s warm, spring-fed pools. Alternatively, guests staying in one of the Sky View Cabins can also get a closer look at Earth’s heavenly neighbors through the telescope on their private deck.
Experience
- Take a rejuvenating dip in Castle Hot Springs’ eponymous geothermal waters. The healing nature of the resort’s warm natural springs is said to be so profound that the area was transformed into the first wellness retreat in Arizona. As a result, no stay at Castle Hot Springs is complete without a reinvigorating soak in its spring-fed pools. Taking the waters—which are rich in magnesium, lithium, bicarbonates, and other minerals—is not only thought to lift the mood and calm the mind but also unwind aching muscles and joints. A trio of hot spring pools, with temperatures ranging from 106°F to 86°F, complemented by a cold plunge pool allows guests to renew their bodies and minds and emerge revitalized. To take the experience deeper, guests can take advantage of Watsu therapy, a form of aquatic bodywork that sees the participant enjoy a soothing shiatsu massage while floating in a hot spring. This allows the therapist to stretch the body further, as the water takes pressure off the spine and creates space around the spine.
- Deepen the renewal of the body, mind, and spirit by partaking in the resort’s other wellness activities. Yoga classes serve as a moving meditation, harnessing stretches and breathwork to tone and relax. Sound baths use the healing vibrations of singing bowls, chimes, tuning forks, and gongs, as well as the vast amount of water in the human body, to immerse guests in restorative frequencies for a full-body listening experience. Alternatively, daily mindfulness activities are also offered for those who prefer to unwind by getting hands-on and in tune with the present moment, allowing participants to focus their minds to create take-home keepsakes like succulent arrangements or body scrubs.
- Gain an appreciation for Castle Hot Springs’ fascinating past and the work that goes into keeping the resort beautiful during a guided tour of the grounds. The 45-minute history tour explores the places that made the Edenlike retreat into the destination resort it is today. In contrast, the hourlong landscape tour traverses such topics as how the grounds were constructed, plant identification and selection, and maintenance through watering systems and other engineering. Then, later in the day, history-minded guests can slow things down with a complimentary glass of wine and a showing of the Emmy-winning documentary Castle Hot Springs: Oasis of Time, which traces the history of the resort and the surrounding area.
- Be immersed in the rugged beauty of the Bradshaw Mountains while digging into Castle Hot Springs' history with an invigorating desert hike. Sprawling to 1,100 acres in size, the resort offers no shortage of outdoor adventures, from leisurely jaunts through the wilderness to challenging canyoneering excursions. Although Castle Hot Springs' several hiking trails are well-marked and can be explored alone, guided hikes give welcome insight into the area's flora, fauna, and fascinating past. And, best of all, these daily outings are included in every resort stay. Clocking in at two-and-a-half miles in length and climbing 850 feet in elevation in just over a mile, the Salvation Peak Trail route is as challenging as it is rewarding. The summit is marked with a U.S. flag that was first erected by servicemen in World War II during the resort's stint as a recreational center for the United States Armed Services. Rumor has it that a future U.S. president, John F. Kennedy, may have even been part of that trek to the top, as he was convalescing at the resort at the time following the destruction of his PT boat in the South Pacific. Another Castle Hot Springs landmark that should not be missed is Wells Fargo Cave. Once a primitive hiding spot for stagecoach robberies during the Wild West, this secluded safe deposit box can be explored solo via the Yavapai Trail or, for an additional cost, by embarking on the guided Crater Canyon Exploration.
Taste
- Savor fresh-from-the-farm ingredients at Harvest. Here, Castle Hot Springs’ culinary team works hand in gardening glove with the resort's flavor farmers to create a delicious menu that shines a spotlight on the bounty of the season. Just like the restaurant’s name suggests, each meal focuses on the day’s harvest for a gastronomic experience that is as fresh as it is flavorful. This is locally sourced and sustainably grown farm-to-table dining at its finest. Though also open for breakfast and lunch, the most notable meal on offer is the daily, multi-course chef’s tasting dinner. However, all meals at Harvest are included with an overnight stay.
- Drink in views of Castle Hot Spring’s farm and the Sonoran Desert while indulging in a laidback lunch or dinner at Bar 1896. Here, an understated setting combines with elevated dishes crafted out of farm-fresh ingredients for a casual meal that is sure to delight. Comfy Adirondack chairs, a crackling firepit, and live music complete the scene, offering a lively place to kick back and relax after a day of outdoor adventures or long soaks in the natural hot springs.
- Sip on something delicious during a sommelier-led wine tasting or farm-to-bar mixology class. Throughout each event, guests sample a range of varietals and receive suggestions for food pairings. Alternatively, guests may be introduced to something a little more spirited by one of the resort’s resident mixologists. Raise a glass to truly farm-inspired craft concoctions—whether with or without alcohol, to suit guests' own tastes—infused with citrus, herbs, and produce.
FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS
Featured Offers
Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotels.org and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Be immersed in and challenged by the beautiful Sonoran Desert, journey places few have gone before during two invigorating excursions that allow up-close exploration of Castle Hot Springs' surrounding terrain.
Experience what is said to be the original meaning of spa—"salus per aquam," meaning "wellness through water" in Latin. Learn how to maximize the benefits of the mineral-rich natural hot spring pools and fully embrace the therapeutic waters through specially curated wellness offerings.
Slow down and re-align with the Intentional Wellness package. Guests experience a wholly customized, individualized protocol for balance, harmony, and well-being while accessing some of the resort’s top amenities and renewing the body, mind, and spirit.