Moccasin Springs Natural Mineral Springs/Spa — Attraction in Hot Springs

I made my appointment in advance and I was SO excited to come and try Moccasin Springs.

I live 5 hours away in a very rural part of South Dakota. I have been actively looking for a nice spa I can come escape to regularly, even once per month if I can!

I was a full time massage therapist some years ago, so to me, massage is something important to receive once per month. It’s not just a luxury. I also understand it can be VERY difficult to manage appointments and balance uncertainty with stability as a business owner.

The morning before my massage, I was pummeled by a catastrophic migraine. It was one of the worst I had had in the last 2 years. Very unexpected and scary. I cannot drive when I have a migraine because I get “auras” (blind spots) and I get very dizzy and also unable to put thoughts together.

My plan was to come to hot springs the day before and stay at a hotel. Then go to the massage the next day. The migraine the day before ruined that plan.

I called the spa the day before to let them know i suffered with a migraine and i would not be able to make the morning yoga class but that I would aim to still to make the massage at noon. (I was desperate and really hoping for the best.)

Unfortunately because of the migraine, I did not have a clear mind to make decisions with. So I tried to aim to leave VERY EARLY the next morning and still make it on time to the area for my massage. I ended up suffering with that migraine until 10pm and there was no chance I would have been able to wake up and drive 5 hours at 6am to make it. That was a bad decision to attempt to do that on my part.

I emailed the spa as soon as I woke up (about 7:35am) to let them know i was really sorry, I couldn’t make any of the appointments, but I would like to reschedule for April 4th, two weeks from now when I could plan the whole trip with hotel stays again.

I emailed at first because I wasn’t even confident that I’d be able to conduct the conversation over the phone because I was still in a foggy daze.

I was prepared to pay some kind of late notice fee, something like 50%. But I was aware and afraid that they might stick me to the full 100%!

My massage was totaling $170.00, more than $180.00 with taxes, etc. So, 50% would be about $90.00.

I was knowing that I probably did not handle the situation right and I should have cancelled everything at the first symptom of migraine. Regardless, I did communicate with the spa that things were not 100% right with me arriving to my appointment the day before.

I was not a “no-show”

And I did communicate that things were not 100% right with my travel a full day before.

I needed a little grace in this instance. I was a first time customer for this spa with eager plans to schedule regularly into the future.

The spa insisted on taking the full $180.00.

They said that was in order to make sure they take care of the massage therapist. Which I whole heartedly support making sure the massage therapist stays supported.

But did they really need to take the full $180.00 to do that??

I sincerely do hope the therapists are making about $160.00 or so at Moccasin Springs!! But I know at most spas, therapists usually make 50% at best, often times 40% or even 30%…

Regardless, I simply cannot, in good faith, book at Moccasin Springs again after this. It was hard enough to plan travel and hotel stays in order to make this appointment happen. The LAST thing I’d ever want to have happen instead of going to get a massage is get a migraine. But unfortunately anything can and does happen sometimes.

I’ve already found a different spa and I look forward to exchanging value with them consistently for years to come.

I hope $180.00 one time...

Would not recommend. Very disappointing experience, the only zen/relaxing area was while I waited at the front desk to pay. Showed up and was put on a waiting list (notebook) and told the wait should be about an hour and they would call me. I returned after an hour and 15 minutes to check on my status, while in line a couple a head of me was let in. I asked the front desk associate if they no longer had a wait time, she replied no, I then asked why I wasn’t called? Why are walk ins now available while I had not received a call? She responded they are just now working on the list and the couple ahead of me was the first walk in (doubtful). Pay and walk out to the pools. Extremely loud, felt like a high school pool party outside. The hottest one was very over crowded and had people laughing and just about yelling at each other. Staff walking around collecting towels, did not approach anyone to lower voice, nothing. My wife and I decide to leave after just 5 minutes due to all of this, completely opposite environment then what was advertised and we paid for. While changing our clothes we noticed a missed call from the front desk, assuming to let us know we could come back. At that point we had been there 20-25 mins. Now 4:45, place closes at 6. Wow. I go inside to request a refund, front desk associate didn’t even ask my why, just said okay. Seemed like the gentlemen before me asked for the same thing. Not surprised at all, was surprised that I wasn’t even asked why I wanted a refund, must be a common request. All in all a waste of time, with the drive from my house and the hr and a half wait, 5ish hours of my Saturday was gone. If you’re looking for a nice relaxing environment to enjoy the outdoors and nature, do not come here you will be highly disappointed. The only thing I am glad about is that I visited this place before I had any family in town or friends that had a limited time in the area. I guess they bank on being the only one available, if they had any competition they’d be out of business I am sure.

Reply to owners response: Being put on a waiting list wasn't the issue, the issue was not being called after being on the waiting list for over an hour and coming in to ask for an update and seeing a few couples ahead of me walk in and not say anything about being on a waiting list, and being told they can come in. Busy weekend or not, if you have people on a waiting list they should be called and given a chance to come in prior to allowing walk ins to come in. Unprofessional. Being shorted staff is not an excuse, do you charge less for your services when you are short staffed? If not, you should provide the same level of service if full price is required to enjoy...

Five-Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Bliss at Nature’s Bathtub: (aka Moccasin Springs) Don’t Listen to the Soapy-Karens!

Let me start by saying: if you’re looking for a sterile, chlorinated Jacuzzi at a strip mall with fluorescent lights and piped-in Enya, this ain’t your spa. But if you want to soak in real, wild, mineral-rich heaven — where the Earth herself cradles you in a 104°F geothermal hug — then welcome to paradise at Moccasin Springs in stunning Hot Springs, South Dakota!

Now, before we dive (soak?) into this, let’s address some of the ridiculous reviews. You know the ones. The “eww, there’s stuff in the water” crowd. The ones who expect a hot spring fed directly from the Earth’s crust to be as clear as an Evian bottle. Spoiler alert: nature has texture, people!

Yes, there are things floating in the water — because this isn’t a hotel fountain — it’s a living, breathing, healing geothermal miracle. The so-called “things” are natural — think minerals, soft strands of algae, and delicate bits of moss (in fact, some people make incredible wall art with them, so be sure to be on the lookout while you’re soaking). You’re not bathing in grossness — you’re steeping in ancient Earth magic. You are the tea.

Let’s talk the incredible ambiance. Picture this: mist curling off the surface like a spell, leaves swaying above you, and the faint smell of the earth’s core whispering, “this is legit.” Your stress evaporates. Your pores sing. Your city thoughts fall off like dead skin (and, yes, they have exfoliating rocks for that too).

The water feels like it’s charged with something ancient. You emerge transformed, like a salamander that has rethought its life. Meanwhile, Brenda from L.A. is still on Yelp, angrily typing, “Why is it green???”

Because it’s real, Brenda. Because nature isn’t filtered through a Brita.

Moccasin Springs is literal stunning, soul-soaking, mossy magic. Owner Kara Hagen has lovingly created a truly magical slice of heaven on earth. If you want to be reborn in geothermal ecstasy, come here. Just don’t forget your towel, your positive zen, and maybe your loudest (whispered) “ahhhhhhh.”

Five stars all the way! Will soak my existential dread away in this meticulously crafted spa again and again and again!

PS — 1) While at the spa be sure to eat at the Dragonfly Restaurant. The food is literally some of the very best in the area (as is server extraordinaire Molly)! and 2) While in town be sure to check out the amazing wares at Chautauqua Artisan Market on N. River St. - also NOTHING you’d find in a...