Stewart Mineral Springs in September
“I feel like I’m at summer camp,” Mom said.
“That’s a great way to describe the experience, Mom. Stewart Springs has a rustic feel, but I like the setting. I love the smell of the trees and listening to the water,” I said.
After our mineral bath, we lounged on deck chairs that overlooked Parks Creek and talked about our experience. We weren’t sure what to expect at Stewart Mineral Springs because neither of us had taken a mineral bath previously.
After we checked in and paid, the attendant told us what to expect. She gave us towels and a sheet—the sheet could be turned into a sarong—to cover ourselves. Nudity is not allowed at Stewart Mineral Springs because the center wants to make the space more welcoming and inclusive. I’d never been to Stewart Springs before because I wasn’t comfortable with the nudity aspect, and I’m glad they changed their policy a few years ago.
I thought the experience would only include a soak in the mineral water, but there was more to the process than I realized.
Here’s what the mineral bath encompassed:
1. The attendant started my private bath, and I was able to adjust the water temperature to my liking. She recommended soaking in the mineral water for 2 to 10 minutes. The minerals in the water are strong, and that’s why they don’t recommend soaking for more than 10 minutes at a time. The mineral water is pumped from the spring into the facility, and that’s how we were able to heat and cool the water in the tub.
The mineral water felt slimy, it smelled a little funny, and I couldn’t soak in the water for more than 2 minutes at a time because my skin started to feel tingly. The attendant told us to be mindful of the tingly feeling because that meant our skin was reacting to the minerals in the water. She recommended rinsing off in the shower, and from there heading to the hot sauna.
2. Next up was sitting in a dry wood sauna. A wood stove heated the sauna, and it was my favorite part of the experience because the heat relaxed my sore muscles.
3. After leaving the sauna, I walked through the bathhouse, outside onto the deck, and down wooden steps toward the dipping pool. “The Cold Plunge” was the final part of the experience, and the creek was a chilly 45 degrees!
The bath attendant explained that “the cold water helps wash off toxins that come out during the bath and sauna, and the cool water helps strengthen your immune system.” She also said, “Native Americans believe that by submerging your body and head in the creek, all of your stress is washed downstream.”
I wasn’t able to plunge into the water because it made my legs numb. Instead, I waded through the water, splashed the water on my arms and face, and took a quick shower before going back to my private mineral bath.
4. We were allotted an hour and fifteen minutes to repeat steps 1 through 3 as many times as we wanted. Plus, we enjoyed the property after the experience.
I want to take my husband to Stewart Mineral Springs, and my mom was so happy with her visit that she’s planning on going once a month. She lives in Red Bluff and will be able to visit friends and family in Siskiyou and take a trip to the springs, too.
PRO-TIPS
—If you’re traveling through Siskiyou County, Stewart Mineral Springs is easy to access via the freeway. To reach the springs, it’s only a 10-15 minute drive from Highway 5. They also offer a variety of lodging accommodations.
—The bathhouse is open daily, and they offer reduced rates for locals and seniors. The cost is between $30-35, and if you’re only interested in sitting in the sauna, the price is $15. Check their hours and rates here.
—Before your visit, you can schedule your mineral bath or arrive without an appointment and wait for an opening. I called ahead schedule our visit, but no one answered the phone. We opted to go without an appointment. It was a busy day, but there were two openings when we checked in, so we didn’t have to wait! The timing was perfect.
—If you’re staying in Siskiyou for the weekend, compliment your trip to Stewart Mineral Sprints with a spiritual tour of Mt. Shasta.
Stewart Mineral Springs in September
“I feel like I’m at summer camp,” Mom said.
“That’s a great way to describe the experience, Mom. Stewart Springs has a rustic feel, but I like the setting. I love the smell of the trees and listening to the water,” I said.
After our mineral bath, we lounged on deck chairs that overlooked Parks Creek and talked about our experience. We weren’t sure what to expect at Stewart Mineral Springs because neither of us had taken a mineral bath previously.
After we checked in and paid, the attendant told us what to expect. She gave us towels and a sheet—the sheet could be turned into a sarong—to cover ourselves. Nudity is not allowed at Stewart Mineral Springs because the center wants to make the space more welcoming and inclusive. I’d never been to Stewart Springs before because I wasn’t comfortable with the nudity aspect, and I’m glad they changed their policy a few years ago.
I thought the experience would only include a soak in the mineral water, but there was more to the process than I realized.
Here’s what the mineral bath encompassed:
1. The attendant started my private bath, and I was able to adjust the water temperature to my liking. She recommended soaking in the mineral water for 2 to 10 minutes. The minerals in the water are strong, and that’s why they don’t recommend soaking for more than 10 minutes at a time. The mineral water is pumped from the spring into the facility, and that’s how we were able to heat and cool the water in the tub.
The mineral water felt slimy, it smelled a little funny, and I couldn’t soak in the water for more than 2 minutes at a time because my skin started to feel tingly. The attendant told us to be mindful of the tingly feeling because that meant our skin was reacting to the minerals in the water. She recommended rinsing off in the shower, and from there heading to the hot sauna.
2. Next up was sitting in a dry wood sauna. A wood stove heated the sauna, and it was my favorite part of the experience because the heat relaxed my sore muscles.
3. After leaving the sauna, I walked through the bathhouse, outside onto the deck, and down wooden steps toward the dipping pool. “The Cold Plunge” was the final part of the experience, and the creek was a chilly 45 degrees!
The bath attendant explained that “the cold water helps wash off toxins that come out during the bath and sauna, and the cool water helps strengthen your immune system.” She also said, “Native Americans believe that by submerging your body and head in the creek, all of your stress is washed downstream.”
I wasn’t able to plunge into the water because it made my legs numb. Instead, I waded through the water, splashed the water on my arms and face, and took a quick shower before going back to my private mineral bath.
4. We were allotted an hour and fifteen minutes to repeat steps 1 through 3 as many times as we wanted. Plus, we enjoyed the property after the experience.
I want to take my husband to Stewart Mineral Springs, and my mom was so happy with her visit that she’s planning on going once a month. She lives in Red Bluff and will be able to visit friends and family in Siskiyou and take a trip to the springs, too.
PRO-TIPS
—If you’re traveling through Siskiyou County, Stewart Mineral Springs is easy to access via the freeway. To reach the springs, it’s only a 10-15 minute drive from Highway 5. They also offer a variety of lodging accommodations.
—The bathhouse is open daily, and they offer reduced rates for locals and seniors. The cost is between $30-35, and if you’re only interested in sitting in the sauna, the price is $15. Check their hours and rates here.
—Before your visit, you can schedule your mineral bath or arrive without an appointment and wait for an opening. I called ahead schedule our visit, but no one answered the phone. We opted to go without an appointment. It was a busy day, but there were two openings when we checked in, so we didn’t have to wait! The timing was perfect.
—If you’re staying in Siskiyou for the weekend, compliment your trip to Stewart Mineral Sprints with a spiritual tour of Mt. Shasta.