Strawberry Park Hot Springs

What to expect

Strawberry Park Hot Springs is the soak most people picture when they think of Steamboat. Hot water runs down a forested hillside into a set of pools walled with stacked stone, beside a cold mountain creek in Routt National Forest country north of town. There are no jets, slides or lap lanes. You get rock, steam, trees and the sound of the creek.

The pools vary in size and heat. The operator does not publish temperatures, but visitor guides put the coolest pool at around 102°F39°C, and the upper pools closest to the source run hotter. The spring itself comes out much too hot to sit in, and it is cooled by mixing with creek water before it reaches you. The creek beside the pools gives you a cold dip if you want one.

The site is developed but rustic. There are restrooms and a heated changing cabin, and massage, Watsu and facials are offered in the stonework buildings. Lighting is kept low on purpose. After dark, the only light comes from soft lamps, and phones are not used.

The atmosphere changes at sunset. Daytime slots are family-friendly. After dark the pools are adults only and clothing optional, and the mood is quieter.

Getting there

The springs are at 44200 County Road 36, about 7 miles north of downtown Steamboat Springs. The operator says to allow 15 to 20 minutes, and longer in winter.

From town, head north on County Road 36 (Strawberry Park Road). The last 2 miles are unpaved, steep and winding. The road is maintained, but it climbs through private land, so obey posted signs and share it with hikers and cyclists.

Winter rules, November 1 to May 1: Routt County requires 4WD with snow tires. The operator states that two-wheel drive vehicles are not permitted even with chains, and that cables and straps do not count as chains. The Colorado State Patrol and Routt County Sheriff’s Office enforce traction rules. If you do not have the right car, take a shuttle.

Parking is very limited, which is why every visit needs a booking. RVs and trailers are never allowed, and there is no space for them. Rideshare passengers (Uber and Lyft) are not admitted.

Shuttles: The Hot Springs Shuttle and Sweet Pea Tours run 4WD vans from Steamboat. The Hot Springs Shuttle charges $60 for adults and $40 for ages 0-17, including admission, with about two hours at the springs in fall and 1 hour 45 minutes in winter. Book shuttles directly with the company, not through the springs.

On foot or by bike: Forest Service Trail 1169, the Hot Springs Trail, reaches the springs from Elk River Road and the Mad Creek Trailhead. Hikers must check in with the attendant and pay admission when they arrive.

When to go

Strawberry Park is open every day of the year, weather permitting. The busiest times line up with Steamboat’s ski season and summer holidays, and slots for evenings and weekends go first.

Summer and fall are the easiest seasons. Any normal car can usually manage the road, the days are long, and daytime slots are relaxed.

Winter is the most memorable season, with snow piled on the rock walls and steam drifting through the trees. It is also the most demanding. You need a qualifying 4WD with snow tires or a shuttle seat, and the parking area is exposed to wind and cold.

After dark is adults only. If you want that quieter, clothing-optional scene, book a late slot. Fridays and Saturdays stay open until midnight.

Prices and booking

• Admission: $30 for adults, $20 for ages 17 and under, for a two-hour slot. Cash only. No cards, no checks and no ATM on site.
• Reservations: Required. Book on the operator’s website up to 30 days ahead. There is no waitlist and no group discount, and each person needs their own reservation.
• Leaving and returning: A reservation covers only the booked slot. Coming back later needs a new booking.
• Lodging: Booked separately, opening 90 days in advance, with single nights released closer to the date. Pool use is included for overnight guests.

Rules and etiquette

The operator posts a long list of rules and checks bags on arrival. The main ones:

• No alcohol, drugs, smoking, food, gum or glass. This is enforced with a zero-tolerance approach.
• No children after dark. Ages 18+ only from sundown.
• Clothing optional after dark only. By day, wear a suit.
• No photography without permission, and no drones. After dark, no phone photos or video at all.
• Low light only. After dark, only soft or red low-intensity light is allowed. The rules page and the FAQ word this slightly differently, so bring a dim red headlamp rather than a bright flashlight.
• No jumping or climbing on the stone walls.
• No pets, and no animals left in cars.
• No fires of any kind, including charcoal grills.
• Keep it quiet. Loud behavior gets you removed.

Where to stay nearby

On site: Strawberry Park rents rustic cabins and tent sites, and visitor guides also describe covered wagons (summer only) and a converted train caboose. Cabins have no electricity, and running water is only in the shared bathhouses, which have showers and flush toilets. Bring your own bedding. Check-in runs from 5 to 8pm and check-out is at 11am. Guests can soak from check-in until midnight and again from sunrise until check-out.

Steamboat Springs, 7 miles south, has hotels, condos and ski lodging, and it is where the shuttles start.

Safety notes

• Heat and altitude: The upper pools are the hottest. At this elevation, long soaks can leave you light-headed. Drink water and take breaks.
• Slick stone: The rock edges and steps are wet and slippery, and icy in winter. Watch your footing, especially in the dark.
• Winter road: Do not try the road without a qualifying vehicle. Getting stuck on the climb blocks everyone else.
• Pregnancy and health: The operator advises checking with a doctor first if you are pregnant.
• No signal: There is no cell service or Wi-Fi. Arrange your ride back before you go.

Nearby stops worth adding

In town, Old Town Hot Springs is the opposite experience: a lifeguarded community pool complex on Lincoln Avenue with slides and a lap pool, open to all ages in the evening. It is an easy choice for families who cannot make a daytime slot at Strawberry Park.