The largest natural spring in Pennsylvania can be found in the appropriately-named town of Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania in Cumberland County. While there are hot springs in Pennsylvania, this is not your typical hot spring, despite what the town name might suggest. The town is called Boiling Springs because there are a number of artisan wells bubbling up throughout the town – the biggest of which enters a beautiful lake in the center of town.

Children's Lake is the name of this giant, spring-fed lake.
Jon Dawson/Flickr
And it's gorgeous to behold. On the opposite bank, you can spot what was once a grist mill. The building has since been converted to apartments.
Harvey Barrison/ Flickr
The lake's surface appears to bubble in certain areas due to a disturbance from the spring itself. This rippling effect creates the illusion of boiling.
Rebecca/Flickr
The temperature of these natural springs is a consistent 55.5–55.8 degrees all year round. Local ducks, swans, and geese love the constant fresh source of spring-fed water.
Harvey Barrison/Flickr
At least we think so, we don't actually speak waterfowl to know for sure.
Though the spring is naturally occurring, the lake was constructed in the 1750s by damming the spring. At seven acres in surface area, the spring feeds the lake about 22 million gallons of water per day.
Harvey Barrison/Flickr
Children's Lake is a peaceful, beautiful spot to visit - one of the most notable bodies of water in central Pennsylvania. Visitors can also boat or fish on the lake.
fauxto_digit/Flickr

The video below gives you a better sense of the area around Children’s Lake while showing how to walk to see the spring itself feeding into the lake.

Have you ever visited this gorgeous spring lake in Pennsylvania? Or do you know of any other ones that rival its beauty? If you’ve discovered true hot springs in Pennsylvania share your stories below – we love hearing from you!

Now that you are all “warmed up” from Boiling Springs, PA how about another adventure to find the best swimming holes in Pennsylvania?

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Are there hot springs in Pennsylvania?

Chris Muras | November 16, 2022

Where do I find natural hot springs in Pennsylvania?

There are a number of natural hot springs mostly in southern Pennsylvania. Here are a few to add to your road trip bucket list:

1. Omni Bedford Springs Resort: The best Pennsylvania hot springs are found in a luxury spa setting at this resort. With a spring-fed indoor pool to rejuvenate your body and soul and eight mineral springs within a short hike from the resort, this is a wonderful way to experience hot springs in PA.

2. Frankfort Springs: In eastern Pennsylvania, you'll find a beautiful state park - Racoon Creek State Park. It is home to the ruins of Frankfurt House, an 1800s hotel and resort-turned-restaurant that burned down in 1932. Taking nearby hiking trails you'll discover a natural spring-fed pool and waterfall that shows off the illustrious beauty Pennsylvania has to offer.

3. Black Spring: Tucked away in the mountains of Bedford Township, PA, this hidden gem natural spring is a nice little getaway surrounded by nature. It's also a nice fishing spot filled with trout.

4. Big Spring: One of the largest natural springs in Pennsylvania, you can find this little-known spring-fed pool after a six-mile hike in southern PA. It is on private property so you'll need permission to visit. The reward is epic with a sandy bottom pool of crystal clear blue-green water.

5. Mineral Springs: Take the 1.3-mile Mineral Springs Loop Trail in Hookstown, Pennsylvania to find this lovely pool with waterfalls and cool rock formations. If you love nature, and we know you do, this area should be on your to-do list.

Why is Boiling Springs called "the bubblers?"

Boiling Springs is called "the bubblers" because of the natural artisan-well springs from which the town gets its name - Boiling Springs. Their high school mascot isn't a tiger or even the state animal white-tailed deer, it's a lake. Sort of. Children's Lake, actually a pond, is famous for the natural springs that flow into the lake creating "boiling" bubbles.

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