Outside of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is a natural hot spring that is serene and beautiful.
Lots of locals recommended that I go, so I set out on a perfect fall evening to catch the last light of the day (it had been a pretty hot day, so the only time it made sense to ‘hot spring’ was dusk).
The entry was pretty nondescript– just a quaint little wooden shack with a warm fire pit adjacent to it. A gentleman working in the shack to accept payment was absolutely rad: a ski bum wrapped in a hippie wrapped in a chill vibe, he accepted my $20 cash payment (it’s cash only) and pointed down a ramp.
Walking down the ramp, I was struck by how nice the setup was– there weren’t too many people, and the pool walls had clearly been built up with natural stone (a nice reprieve from ‘natural’ hot springs that have been privatized with poured concrete).
The pools were segmented into different thermal temperatures– like many hot springs, some areas were much hotter than others, depending on where the river fed the pools. One pool was downright cold, which people used to refresh themselves if they were too warm for too long.
The water itself was blissful– not super-sulfuric, it did not smell rotten in the same way other hot springs can. That’s not to say the water was not mineral, there was definitely the mossy residue left on one’s skin after being in them. The hottest pools reached over 105, even in this now-chilly fall evening, which meant I had to take some frequent breaks from the pools as I got a little overheated.
There were some smaller pools located up the cliff a bit– so make sure to explore a bit and not just use the largest pools, it will help you get a bit away from the crowds. When I was sitting in one of these smaller areas, one of the women in the hot spring told me a story about a black bear that came RIGHT down into one of the hot springs during a visit years ago.
Remember, when you’re in Colorado, it’s a good idea to be bear-aware, as even bears would seem to enjoy the hot and soothing waters.
It is recommended to make an advance reservation for Strawberry Hot Springs– they are popular, and an entry technically pays for 2 hours, though I am sure some people stay longer and some leave before their time is up. There are no snacks or alcohol permitted for good reason– bring a water bottle, though, as you’ll absolutely need to hydrate: between the altitude, the dry high desert, and the hot water, you’ll guzzle more water than you think.
Strawberry Hot Springs is an incredibly soothing stop if you’re nearby.
Posted by Sun
