What to pack for waterfalls and hot springs
Water trips punish overpacking and underpacking about equally. The list below covers a day trip to a waterfall, a swimming hole, or a primitive spring — trim it to the season and how far you're walking.
Feet first
Footwear decides how the day goes. Water shoes or sandals with real tread handle wet rock, gravel bottoms, and broken-glass risk all at once; smooth-soled flip-flops handle none of them. If there's a hike in, wear trail shoes and carry the water shoes — sock changes are morale.
The core kit
A towel and a full change of clothes in a dry bag, more water than feels necessary (hot soaking dehydrates like exercise), salty snacks, sun protection you apply before getting wet, and a headlamp — canyon dark arrives an hour early. A small first-aid kit covers the two most likely issues: cut feet and scraped shins.
Worth their weight
A trash bag (yours plus what you find), a microfiber cloth if you're photographing, a warm layer and beanie for the post-soak chill in any season, and a paper or offline map — the best spots are the ones without service. In winter, add traction spikes and an insulated pad to stand on while changing.
Leave at home
Glass containers, anything battery-powered you'd cry about dropping in a pool, soap of any kind, and speakers. If a spring or swimming hole needs music, it wasn't worth the drive.