Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs
Steamboat Springs, Colorado · on Hot Spring Creek
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- hot spring
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $30
- SEASON
- Year-round
About Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs
Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs is a privately operated natural hot spring about 7 miles north of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where geothermal water mixes with cold water from Hot Springs Creek in a series of rock-lined soaking pools. It operates as a reservation-only, paid facility with posted hours, rules, and seasonal access requirements rather than an informal wild swimming hole.
The springs sit in a forested canyon along Hot Springs Creek within Routt National Forest, reached via the final unpaved miles of County Road 36 (Amethyst Drive). Visitors descend steps and cross a footbridge to reach the pool area from the parking/drop-off point, and there is no cell service or WiFi on site.
Swimming at Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs
Soaking rather than lap swimming: multiple stacked rock pools run roughly 98-106°F depending on position (upper pools hottest, lower pools near the entrance cooler and more family-oriented), with clear, odorless water. The adjacent creek supplies a cold plunge around 40-50°F that visitors alternate into and out of the hot pools. Suits soakers/relaxation seekers more than active swimmers.
How to get to this swimming hole
About 7 miles north of downtown Steamboat Springs via County Road 36 (Amethyst Drive), with the final stretch unpaved; from Denver it is roughly 160 miles via US-40 west over Rabbit Ears Pass. From the parking/shuttle drop, visitors walk down steps and across a footbridge to reach the pools.
Parking: On-site parking is available for private vehicles that meet road requirements, but rideshare (Uber/Lyft) drop-offs are not permitted. From November 1 to May 1, 4WD with winter tires is required to drive the access road, and the operator runs a paid shuttle from Steamboat Springs for visitors without a suitable vehicle.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. No hike is needed - a visitor account states the restrooms and hot springs are both visible from the parking lot. Reaching the pools involves only a short walk down several flights of steps and across a footbridge (no distance given in feet/minutes by any source found); sturdy, treaded footwear is recommended since steps can be icy/snow-covered in winter.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
A first-hand visitor account (daytime visit) reported many families with elementary-aged and teenaged children in the pools but no children younger than about 8-9; pools are roughly 3 feet deep so young non-swimmers may need flotation devices, and minors must be supervised at all times. Water temperatures (roughly 98-106F) and steep, sometimes icy/snow-covered steps and a footbridge en route add caution for very young kids, and the site becomes clothing-optional for adults after sundown with minors barred after dark.
Parking
Lot
On-site parking lot for private vehicles meeting road requirements (no separate parking fee was independently confirmed - entry is via the paid, reserved admission noted in the prior dossier). Rideshare/Uber-Lyft drop-offs are not permitted; November 1-May 1 requires 4WD with winter tires to drive the access road, with a paid shuttle offered from Steamboat Springs as an alternative.
Restrooms
Yes
On-site restrooms near the pool area (one visitor reported a 3-stall women's restroom, described as spacious with no wait) plus a separate heated changing cabin, which can get crowded at peak times.
Water clarity
Clear
A first-hand account (denverhotsprings.com, cited in prior dossier) describes the pool water as clear and odorless. No visitor source addressed clarity of the adjacent cold-plunge creek water specifically.
Hours
Sun-Thu 10am-10pm (last entry 8pm); Fri-Sat 10am-midnight (last entry 10pm), per the City of Steamboat Springs tourism page.
What regulars say
One recent visitor reported the pools were 'pretty crowded,' with people in close proximity to each other at all times, but 'still plenty of space to relax,' and it never felt overcrowded; the same visitor recommends wearing your swimsuit under your clothes for easier changing, bringing a waterproof (not mesh) bag for valuables, and avoiding walking barefoot on snow or ice after soaking in winter.
Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs: FAQ
Does Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs charge a fee?
Admission is $30 for adults and $20 for children 17 and under, cash only (no cards or checks), booked in required 2-hour reservation slots that open 30 days in advance; no waitlist is offered.
Is Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs kid friendly?
A first-hand visitor account (daytime visit) reported many families with elementary-aged and teenaged children in the pools but no children younger than about 8-9; pools are roughly 3 feet deep so young non-swimmers may need flotation devices, and minors must be supervised at all times. Water temperatures (roughly 98-106F) and steep, sometimes icy/snow-covered steps and a footbridge en route add caution for very young kids, and the site becomes clothing-optional for adults after sundown with minors barred after dark.
Do I need to hike to reach Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs?
On-site parking lot for private vehicles meeting road requirements (no separate parking fee was independently confirmed - entry is via the paid, reserved admission noted in the prior dossier). Rideshare/Uber-Lyft drop-offs are not permitted; November 1-May 1 requires 4WD with winter tires to drive the access road, with a paid shuttle offered from Steamboat Springs as an alternative.
When is the best time to visit Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs?
Open year-round; fall is noted for manageable crowds and aspen color, while winter is described as giving the most atmospheric experience, though weekday winter visits offer the most solitude versus crowded weekends.
What are the rules at Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs?
Reservations required for every visit; no pets anywhere on property or in vehicles; no food, glass containers, smoking, alcohol, jumping, or climbing; no rideshare passengers; bag checks enforced; clothing is required during the day and the site becomes clothing-optional for adults after sundown, with minors not permitted after dark; 4WD with winter tires legally required on the access road November 1 - May 1.
What water body is Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs on?
Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs is on Hot Spring Creek, a natural hot spring verified in USGS hydrography data.
More swimming holes near Steamboat Springs
Grand Lake Town Beach and Dock
Grand Lake, Coloradolake
⛺🛶🏄🚤
★ Top verifiedSouth Canyon Hot Springs
Glenwood Springs, Coloradohot spring
🥾 0.5 mi hike
May Queen Campground
Leadville, Coloradoreservoir
⛺🛶🏄
Soda Lake Beach
Morrison, Coloradolake
⛺🛶🏄
Aurora Reservoir Swim Beach
Aurora, Coloradoreservoir
🛶🏄🚤
★ Top verifiedSunny Cove
Dutch John, Utahreservoir
⛺🛶🏄