The 6 Best Steamboat Springs Hot Springs to Visit
Want to discover the best Steamboat Springs hot springs in Colorado? You’ve come to the right place! In this post, we’ll tell you about the best hot springs places in and near the town, so stick around!
Colorado has a lot of natural beauty. There is a reason it’s known to be among the most gorgeous states in the country!
Steamboat Springs is in the northern part of Colorado. It is also known as “Ski Town, USA” because it has world-class skiing in snowy mountains. The Yampa River flows in the middle of this small town, and Mount Werner’s snowy peaks stand guard over it like a castle wall.
Even though Steamboat is a haven for skiers, many people neglect the second part of its name (“Springs”). Visiting the hot springs in Steamboat Springs is also a highlight of any trip to this area, regardless of the time of the year you go.
There are only three hot springs in town, and we’ll discuss each to help you find what to expect. But if you think three isn’t enough, you’re lucky because we’ll include hot springs from neighboring the area too.
Read more about them in this list of the 6 best Steamboat Springs hot springs to visit!
6. Hippie Hot Springs
Hippie Hot Springs is a group of warm pools along the Yampa River in Downtown Steamboat Springs. It is a well-kept secret among locals.
This small pool group is right across the street from Old Town Hot Springs. And to find it, look for a sign that says “Dr. Rich Weiss Park.” On the riverbank, you’ll find the hot springs surrounded by rocks.
The water from Old Town Hot Springs fitness club and spa flows into the Yampa river and heats the Hippie Hot Springs, making little “hot tubs” in the river.
You can go to Steamboat hot springs in summer, spring, and fall.
And the best part is that soothing in these hot spring pools is free, which is our favorite price!
Keep in mind: even though the name makes it sound like these are hot springs, they are warm springs. Most of the time, these springs don’t get above 100 degrees. That means it’s plenty safe to swim in these Steamboat Springs hot springs.
We suggest visiting here during the summer. And a great way to experience these hot springs is to go tubing down the Yampa River. Fish Creek Falls is a river that flows from the top of the mountain and into the Yampa River.
Float down the cold river from Rotary Park until you get to this group of pools. Soak in these springs to warm up before continuing your tubing trip.
You can also go to the hot springs after paddling down the river in a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard.
In addition, know that this spot is a well-kept secret among locals and that people in Steamboat hold the Yampa River in high regard. Please treat the river and hot springs respectfully and take out everything you bring. There are a lot of garbage cans nearby to get rid of the trash.
5. Radium Hot Springs
If you want a more rustic hot spring experience, we strongly suggest you drive the hour and a half from Steamboat Springs to Radium Hot Springs.
Radium Hot Springs in Kremmling is a rustic and authentic natural hot spring. This small, basic geothermal water pool is right on the banks of the alluring Colorado River. It measures approximately 20 feet by 6 feet, with just enough room for a few people to soak.
The temperature of the rock-walled pool changes with the seasons, but it is always comfortable and never a shock. The river water often splashes in and blends with the hot thermal water, which cools down the springs so that they feel like bathwater.
This portion of the Colorado River is trendy in the summer for water activities. Many visitors also jump off the cliffs from big rocks on the side, but be careful if you decide to do this, as it can be hazardous.
On the other hand, the river water level might be too high in the spring and wash out the pool, so the ideal time to visit is in the summer or fall.
There are two options to camp near the Radium Hot Springs. At the Radium Recreation Site, there are picnic tables and tent pads, and the Mugrage Campground, which is about half a mile away, is more rural. Mugrage doesn’t have water or electricity, just a basic drop toilet.
From these campsites, the hot spring is an easy hike away.
The hike starts with a short, steep climb up to a plateau. From there, a broad, smooth dirt path pursues the river north through a few scattered campsites. After more than a half mile, continue toward the river and descent to the hot springs.
4. Hot Sulphur Springs Resort
The Hot Sulphur Spring Resort is only an hour’s drive from downtown Steamboat Springs, and it is perfect if you want to stay at a resort that has places to eat and places to stay.
This resort in Hot Sulphur Springs is among the best places in Colorado to soak in geothermal water. This property is a great place to relax and recharge because it has 22 pools, including private baths, a sauna pool, the Elk Pool for recovery, and a summer swimming pool.
The chemical-free, flow-through waters are kept at temperatures between 95°F and 112°F and are part of a world-class venue that the native Ute tribes used to enjoy.
At this property, you can walk in or stay the night. If you want to stay for the night at the hotel, you can book a standard single or double room close to the hot springs.
If you book a hotel room, on the other hand, you can use the pools from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Apart from that, you’ll get two free passes to use the pools on the day you check in and check out.
Hot Sulphur Springs Resort, like numerous other mineral water spas, offers a full range of wellness services, such as massages or other treatments.
For other methods of relaxation, wander around the property and spot deer and other animals while taking in the crisp mountain air.
You can also walk to the Pioneer Village Museum, which is nearby.
In this old Hot Sulphur Springs school museum, you can see early tools used by Grand County residents, clothing worn by pioneers, and other historical items from Grand County.
3. Iron Mountain Hot Springs
It takes a little over 2 hours to drive from Steamboat Springs to Glenwood Springs, but the experience and scenery are well worth the trip if you have the time.
In Iron Mountain Hot Springs, you can relax in one of the 17 mineral pools on the riverbanks of the Colorado River in Glenwood Springs. The pools are near the Colorado River and have views of the Rocky Mountains.
You can also soak in 98°F to 108°F thermal mineral water that is 100% pure. The quiet zone is an excellent place to soak and relax, and the Rejuvenation Station is a place to cool off between pools.
On the other hand, the largest pool is the freshwater family pool with a jetted spa. The lower part has 86,000 water gallons heated to about 93°F while the jetted spa is at about 103°F.
Here, parents can enjoy the hotter water while keeping an eye on their kids in the lower section. In the background, you can hear the soothing sounds of a waterfall as water flows from the upper to the lower area.
Inside the bathhouse, which looks like a lodge, you can purchase passes, shop, and get ready for your soak in beautiful locker rooms with shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.
There are also separate, easily accessible dressing rooms for families and caretakers. And if you forget something or want to purchase a souvenir, the gift shop sells small items, swimwear, gifts, and more.
When it’s time for a break, the Sopris Café, close to the family pool, is the perfect place. You can eat by the pool or on the patio that’s covered. Flatbread pizza, snacks, coffee, soft drinks, beer, wine, and cocktails are on the menu.
2. Old Town Hot Springs
Next on this list is the Old Town Hot Springs in downtown Steamboat Springs. This is definitely the most famous of the hot springs in Steamboat Springs for a reason.
Since the 1880s, people have been coming to Old Town Hot Springs to relax in its pools. Native American Ute Indians settled here before it became a tourist attraction.
Today, the resort has eight exterior geothermal areas with temperatures between 98°F and 104°F. These include four hot pools, a lap pool, a children’s pool, and the Heart Spring. The atmosphere suits families, but only people over 15 can swim in the Heart Spring.
In addition to the aquatic climbing wall, kids love Old Town’s two seasonal 230-foot waterslides. At the same time, adults can get more “me time” by scheduling a treatment with a certified massage therapist who works on-site.
The resort has extra fun things during the summer, like an obstacle course. You can sweat before swimming and take full advantage of a lesson at the property’s gym or climbing wall.
Besides that, long-term guests or locals who wish to learn to swim can buy lesson packages with more than one session. You don’t need a reservation to come to soak or swim.
Visitors and members of Old Town Hot Springs can also bring their food and eat at designated picnic areas. Instead of spending more money at nearby restaurants, we suggest preparing lunch and carrying it to the fitness center.
As of this writing, it costs $12 for children and $18 for adults to spend a day in this area. Plus, there is an extra charge for using the floating obstacle course and waterslides.
We highly recommend visiting these Steamboat Springs hot springs if you can only visit one area!
1. Strawberry Park Hot Springs
Do you want to go to one of Colorado’s finest natural hot springs? This following location is your spot!
Strawberry Park Hot Springs is a lovely resort 15 minutes north of Steamboat Springs. Located about 7 miles from downtown, it is in a mountain valley. The drive is a thrill, but if you think driving is too much work, you can take full advantage of the shuttle service downtown.
This beautiful resort has five hot spring pools with sandy bottoms. Hot springs feed it and flow into Hot Springs Creek. The hot thermal water source is 147°F. However, when it mixes with water from cooler streams, it cools down to a perfect temperature for soaking, between 101°F and 106°F.
Outdoorsy people love this place even more because it’s close to areas to ski, making it the perfect place to unwind after a tiring day on the slopes.
You can also spend the evening at the springs in a cabin, a tent site, or a glamping vehicle. Plus, there is also a spa on the property.
You can visit these Steamboat Springs hot springs all year long. You can enjoy them in the winter when Steamboat’s famous champagne powder falls or the moon is out in the summer.
However, to get access, you must make a reservation. You can make a reservation up to a month in advance, and the property has things like toilets, picnic areas, a heated lodge, and a wooden tipi for changing.
Prices vary by season, but adults usually pay between $15 and $20, and kids pay between $8 and $10. For more relaxation, we suggest taking massage packages that start at $55. Also, note that the resort doesn’t take credit cards, so bring cash or a check.
Final Thoughts
There’s no doubt that Steamboat Springs hot springs are great places to go if you want to relax. Steamboat Springs is a small, close-knit community, and the surrounding area is a true outdoor paradise, with activities that will get your heart racing and springs to unwind after.
So if you plan on visiting this site soon and want to relax, you can’t go wrong with any of these hot springs in Steamboat Springs! Have a great retreat!
Up next: 20 Best Hot Springs in Colorado To Swim In Year Round
