Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert
As winter arrives, soaking in hot springs becomes even more appealing. When you’re thinking about where to go for a hot spring experience, we’d like to recommend a new way to enjoy it—wild spring hot spring camping. The top 5 wild spring hot springs we’re recommending will not only warm you up in the cold wind but also let you camp overnight, offering a relaxing and healing feeling of sleeping in nature.
The wild spring hot spring at Qingshui Geothermal is located in a flat and spacious area. The hot spring water has a faint sulfur scent, and you can enjoy the steam while soaking. The nearby Qingshui Geothermal Park reopened in early December this year. The park features foot soaking and cooking areas. Just rent a bamboo basket, and you can cook food using the hot spring—a fun experience in itself.
Hot spring camping at Qingshui Geothermal Park in Taiwan. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
The Fanfan Wild Spring Hot Spring is located in the mountainous area of Yilan. The journey begins by walking along the riverbank embankment to the end, then entering a mountain trail. Although it may seem difficult to reach on foot, with a professional guide, even children can get there easily. Hidden in the mountains, the Fanfan Wild Spring Hot Spring is a sodium bicarbonate spring—colorless, odorless, and around 60 degrees Celsius. However, the surrounding cool stream water helps moderate the temperature, making it comfortable for soaking. While enjoying the hot spring, you can also listen to the sounds of insects and birds and admire the mountain scenery, something you can’t experience in a hotel hot spring.
After soaking in the wild spring hot spring, continue your journey to camp by Lake Kaluo. Although the path to Lake Kaluo is more challenging than the one to Fanfan Wild Spring Hot Spring, Lake Kaluo is one of the most beautiful alpine lake clusters in Yilan. After camping here overnight, what greets you the next morning is the beautiful sight of sunlight scattering across Lake Kaluo. That feeling can only truly be understood when you see it for yourself.
※Note: Entering Lake Kaluo on your own requires a mountain entry permit. For details, please check the official website of the Yilan County Police Department.
Hot spring camping at Fanfan Wild Spring in Taiwan. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
Hot spring camping at Lake Kaluo in Taiwan. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
Accessing the Erzi Mountain Wild Spring Hot Spring in Hualien is even more challenging than reaching Fanfan Wild Spring Hot Spring. Visitors must carry all their camping gear, tents, and food and must hike and trek through streams to get there. During the hike, you need to pay close attention to every step, as some paths are covered in tree roots, mud, and steep slopes.
But after crossing several canyons, the warm Erzi Mountain Wild Spring Hot Spring awaits you, ready to soothe your physical and mental fatigue. Camping overnight in the quiet mountains, eating and drinking with friends or fellow hikers, and spending a pleasant evening under the bright moonlight.
※Note:A mountain entry permit is required to visit the Erzi Mountain Wild Spring Hot Spring. Please apply via the official website of the National Police Agency, Ministry of the Interior.
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Hot spring camping at Erzi Mountain Wild Spring in Taiwan. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
The Wanli Creek Wild Spring Hot Spring in Hualien, also known as Mandarin Duck Valley Hot Spring or Wanrong Hot Spring, may require crossing mountains and streams to reach, but its difficulty level is actually perfect for beginners to wild spring hot springs. The Wanli Creek Wild Spring Hot Spring is a sodium bicarbonate spring, also known as “beauty soup,” with a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius—perfectly suited for soaking. Soaking while admiring the surrounding scenery is a great choice for relaxation.
Of course, when you’ve made the effort to get close to the mountains and forests, why not try cooking dinner and camping yourself? Pitch a tent with a few friends, gather firewood for the campfire, enjoy the fun of a campfire, and savor healing meals—it’s also a wonderful spiritual feast.
Hot spring camping at Wanli Creek Wild Spring in Taiwan. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
On Provincial Highway 14 en route to Lushan Hot Spring, there is a road leading to Jingying Wild Spring Hot Spring. As the road is narrow, extra caution is advised if driving. If you’re hiking, just walk uphill and cross the Lover’s Suspension Bridge—the wild spring hot spring is located right below the bridge.
However, the Jingying Wild Spring Hot Spring no longer has large bathing pools like before, so those wanting to soak must search for smaller spring pools. Heading higher up, you’ll find the rushing Jingying Waterfall and cliffs washed red-brown and dark green by the weakly alkaline spring water.
If you want to spend more time immersed in nature, consider staying overnight at nearby camping areas after visiting the Jingying Wild Spring Hot Spring, such as Qingjing Sunshine Campsite, Chunyang Mary Hot Spring Campsite, Lushan Hot Spring Mahoupue Campsite, or Sakus Campsite—popular spots among visitors to the wild spring hot springs.
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Hot spring camping at Jingying Hot Spring in Nantou. (Photo / Nantou Tourism Website)
After reading about these wild spring hot spring camping spots, don’t you also want to take a weekend off to enjoy one?
However, we’d like to remind everyone that since wild spring hot springs are often hidden in mountain forests and valleys, when heading there, be sure to check whether a mountain entry permit is required, road accessibility, and weather conditions. Never venture out unprepared. While enjoying wild spring hot spring camping, always prioritize safety to truly have a fun and relaxing experience.
[Tripbaa] Authorized reprint | Original article: [Winter Calls for Wild Spring Hot Springs!Top 5 Hot Spring Camping Experiences in Taiwan]