You may be familiar with the fact that the beautiful city of Saratoga Springs in Upstate New York is well known for its amazing water. Throughout the city you can find a total of 18 public mineral springs, the majority of which you can find right in Saratoga Spa State Park! We always enjoy discovering new places that hold beautiful sights, especially when there isn’t a ton of physical effort involved. Making for the perfect stroll through the park, this epic half-mile loop is a must visit:

Between all the signs you'll find inside Saratoga Spa State Park and the helpful workers that can point you in the right direction, this one incredible spring is quite easy to find.
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState
To enter this area of the park (from May 28th through September 5th) you'll have to pay an $8 vehicle fee, that we assure you is totally worth every penny. Even better, if you have an Empire Passport you'll be able to enter the park for free! Turn onto Geyser Loop Road and you'll see the Geyser Picnic area and public bathrooms. You'll know you're close to where you're going when you start see springs pop up around you!
Visible from the beginning of the loop, you'll see both Hayes Well Spring and the epic Geyser Island Spouter. For this article we'll bring you on the half-mile loop starting at the lower pathway, looping around to the top ridge above.
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState
A small parking lot can be found directly at the Geyser Loop, with larger parking lots in the nearby surrounding area as well. The first spring you'll encounter on this walk is Hayes Well Spring, known for containing potassium. No two springs of the 18 you'll find in Saratoga taste the same, each having their own unique qualities and healing powers!
The second and most incredible spring you'll find on your walk is the Geyser Island Spouter.
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState
The spouter, on an island of hardened minerals, looks like it can't even be real! This particular spring is known for restoring lost salt in your body and helping to aid with digestion. Pushed to the top of our Earth's surface by pressurized carbonic gas, the waters here are always quite cold, keeping temperatures between 48 and 56 degrees! Oh yeah, so the part where carbonic gas pushes up the water? This is why the water you'll find here doesn't quite have the same taste as the water you'd find coming out of your faucet.
The trail remains flat as you make your way along Geyser Creek, giving you close-up views of the clear water.
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState
The flat walk is great for everyone of all ages, but does require footwear with good traction, as some areas of the trail will get slick!
Spotting wildlife along the way? You bet!
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState
You may hear the rustling of leaves as nearby chipmunks and squirrels carry out their day, see beautiful birds flying all around you and also find unique bugs that call Geyser Creek their home.
You'll know you're close to the end of the lower pathway once you see the small waterfalls and major Tufa formation approaching you.
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState

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This is the short area of the trail that remains wet and slick, the large Tufa formation.
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState
The Saratoga mineral springs create bumpy, textured formations that are called Tufa. This part of the pathway allows you to get close to the Tufa, seeing the beauty of Mother Nature!
The end of the lower trail brings you right down to Geyser Creek and a stunning waterfall.
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState
If you're familiar at all with this state park or its performing center, this point in the trail is where you'll look up and see SPAC's stage right above you! The area is serene and a wonderful place to hang out right by the water.
Bringing the two pathways together, the most difficult part of this walk will be climbing these easy stairs.
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState
Like we said, this hike is beautiful and easy.
The trail is easy to follow and is also well marked.
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState
From the top of the stairs you'll see the Vale of Springs Trail sign, along with the next stop you'll make on your walk, Orenda Spring.
The third and final spring you'll encounter on this half-mile loop, Orenda Spring.
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState
Orenda Spring is known for having excess carbon dioxide, which has been said to help relieve sinus congestion when you inhale it. This spring is also known for the highest level of potassium iodide out of all of the Saratoga springs.
The trail continues on along the ridge, giving you a peak at everything you just explored below or if you start off with the top pathway...a glimpse at what's to come!
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState
Ending your walk with another spectacular view of the Geyser Island Spouter, you'll officially have your breath taken away!
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState
Lea Monroe/OnlyInYourState
When Saratoga's faults shifted during the Glacial Period, these waters made their way through the cracks and have been flowing ever since. Such a beautiful natural wonder of our state!
To get to this exact area inside of Saratoga Spa State Park, click here for the location.

Absolutely beautiful! How many of the Saratoga’s mineral springs have you visited?

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