Strawberry Park Hot Springs.
Fifteen minutes north of downtown, up an unpaved mountain road, five natural stone pools steam alongside a creek with no cell signal and no electricity. It is rustic, off-grid, year-round — and one of the genuinely un-commodified amenities that make living in Steamboat what it is.
Getting there
The springs sit at 44200 County Road 36, about 7 miles (roughly 15 minutes in good conditions) north of downtown Steamboat. CR 36 is paved most of the way, but the final 2 miles are unpaved, steep, and winding — this is a real mountain road, not a parking-lot drive.
Summer driving
AWD or 4WD is strongly recommended even when the road is dry — it is rough and tight on the upper stretch.
AWD/4WD rec.Winter driving
From Nov 1 to May 1, AWD or 4WD plus snow tires are legally required and enforced. Chains or straps are not an accepted substitute for snow tires.
Law Nov 1–May 1Off the grid
No cell service and no WiFi on site. Tell someone your plans and download directions before you leave town.
No signalAdmission & reservations
Day-use admission is $20 per person, and the springs are open year-round. The single most important thing to know before you drive up: it is cash or check only — no credit cards, and there is no ATM on site.
Payment
$20 per person, cash or check only. No cards accepted, and no ATM on the property — bring cash from town.
Cash onlyReservations
Required for self-drive visitors. Shuttle guests generally have their reservation handled by the operator.
Reserve aheadHours
Hours are seasonal and have varied between sources. Confirm the current hours and reservation window before you go.
Verify firstRules & policy
Strawberry Park is family-friendly by day and adults-only after dark, with a handful of rules that keep its quiet, natural character intact.
Daytime
Family-friendly with adult supervision. Children are welcome during daytime hours.
Family by dayAfter dark
Clothing-optional after dark, and no minors (under 18) after dark.
Adults after darkNot allowed
No pets, no glass, and no outside food or alcohol (bag checks are performed).
No glass / petsThe experience
Five natural stone pools are terraced down the bank of Hot Springs Creek, fed by mineral springs. The water runs roughly 101–106°F — the coolest pools near the bottom, the hottest near the source — and the cold creek alongside makes a dramatic natural cold-plunge, especially in winter.
The pools
Five terraced sandstone-walled pools, 101–106°F, with sand-and-pebble floors and a cold creek plunge right alongside.
101–106°FRustic by design
Off-grid and no electricity. A warming/changing cabin with a fire is provided, plus a small on-site bistro for light snacks and drinks.
Off-gridStay the night
Rustic on-site lodging — cabins, a refurbished railroad caboose, and seasonal covered wagons. On-site massage is available by appointment.
Lodging + massageThis is not Old Town Hot Springs
Steamboat has two well-known hot springs and people constantly confuse them. They are completely different places — don't conflate them.
Strawberry Park (this page)
Rustic, natural, off-grid hot springs ~7 miles north of town up an unpaved road. Five mineral pools, cash only, reservations required, clothing-optional after dark.
Natural · north of townOld Town Hot Springs
A commercial wellness and recreation center right downtown at 136 Lincoln Avenue — full gym, lap pool, waterslides, locker rooms. Credit cards accepted, generally walk-in.
Downtown · commercialWhich to pick
Strawberry Park for a rustic natural soak under the stars; Old Town for a walkable downtown swim-and-gym day with the kids. Many locals use both.
Both, for different daysGood to know
How much does Strawberry Park Hot Springs cost and can I use a card?
Day-use admission is $20 per person, and it is cash or check only — no credit cards, and there is no ATM on site, so bring cash before you head up the mountain. Reservations are required for self-drive visitors. Hours are seasonal and have varied between sources, so confirm the current hours and reservation window at strawberryhotsprings.com or by calling (970) 879-0342 before you go.
Do I need a 4WD vehicle to get to Strawberry Park Hot Springs?
The springs are about 7 miles (roughly 15 minutes) north of downtown on County Road 36. The road is paved most of the way, but the final 2 miles are unpaved, steep, and winding. AWD or 4WD is strongly recommended in summer. From November 1 to May 1, AWD or 4WD plus snow tires are legally required and enforced. If you would rather not drive it in winter, a local shuttle is the easy alternative.
Is there a shuttle to Strawberry Park Hot Springs?
Yes. Local operators including Sweet Pea Tours and The Hot Springs Shuttle run round-trip service from town, starting from about $50 per adult, with admission and your reservation typically included. Uber and Lyft are not allowed entry, so a designated shuttle partner is the option if you are not driving yourself. Prices change seasonally, so confirm the current rate with the operator.
Is Strawberry Park Hot Springs clothing-optional, and can I bring kids?
During daytime hours it is family-friendly with adult supervision. After dark it becomes clothing-optional, and no minors under 18 are allowed after dark. The springs also prohibit pets, glass, and outside food or alcohol. Confirm current rules at strawberryhotsprings.com before your visit.
Is Strawberry Park Hot Springs the same as Old Town Hot Springs?
No — they are two completely different places. Strawberry Park is the rustic, off-grid natural hot springs about 7 miles north of town up an unpaved mountain road, cash only with reservations. Old Town Hot Springs is a commercial wellness and recreation center right downtown at 136 Lincoln Avenue, with a gym, waterslides, lap pool, card payment, and walk-in access. Locals often use both, but they are not interchangeable.
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