Day Spas/Hot Springs

Carson Valley is rich in both history and outdoor activities. However, it is also a place to pamper yourself, with a variety of hot springs and day spas. David Walley’s Hot Springs is one of Carson Valley’s most historic establishments, while at the same time offering modern amenities for both visitors and locals. Taking advantage of the rich hydrothermal activity along the base of the northern Sierra, David Walley and two partners founded a health resort just south of Genoa in 1862 with only a tent for shelter and mineral baths selling for 50 cents. The first bath house went up the following year, and the resort soon grew to encompass a hotel, ballroom, bath houses, and stables. Today, nearly 150 years later, David Walley’s Resort is owned by Celebrity Resorts, offering timeshare accommodations along with seven natural hot mineral pools, an outdoor swimming pool, steam rooms, saunas, and magnificent views of the Sierras. The resort is a short distance from a variety of activities including golf, skiing, hiking, and boating. For those who prefer a more rustic setting, nearby Grover Springs State Park in Markleeville offers two pools fed by natural hot springs as well as camping facilities and hiking trails.

For those visitors who need beauty and spa services, there are a variety of establishments offering hair styling, manicures, pedicures, facials, massages, and other relaxing treatments. Visitors to the Carson Valley Inn can experience a full range of aesthetic services on property in the Spa at the Inn. Nearby you will find Drago Salon and Taylor York Salon, both located conveniently on Highway 395 in Minden. Further south on 395 in Gardnerville, you can choose from Shear Heaven Salon and Day Spa, Solace Day Spa, and Studio Vogue Salon, all offering a full range of professional pampering services. Prices are reasonable, and the staffs are professional and highly skilled.