Steamboat Springs Strawberry Hot Springs

Many ski days end with a great idea: hot spring soaking.  Steamboat Springs is known for it’s high quality hot springs.  Though there are several hot springs in the area (some say over 150), three are warm enough to get a good soak.  In fact, Steamboat Springs was named after a hot spring along the Yampa River.

When people were first settling in to the Yampa Valley, they would hear the chug of a steamboat.  They found the sound on the banks of the river and found that when water was heated enough, the steam would escape the bedrock and make a chugging sound.  Hence, Steamboat Springs was named.

The hot springs in the Steamboat area offer excellent micro nutrients, especially lithium.  The water comes from deep underground and fills the pools.  As the water below boils and pulls nutrients from the surrounding bedrock.  When the water reaches the surface, it comes out near 110 degrees, sometimes warmer, sometimes cooler.  Most hot springs have a way to mix in cooler water to make it more comfortable.

I’ve been an avid hot spring soaker for 20 years or more.  From Idaho to New Mexico, I have visited over 35 hot springs.  My favorites have been those with great views, great water content, and good temperature.  Steamboat Springs has two great facilities for this, with one I would put in my top three I’ve visited.

Steamboat Springs city has several hot springs, with one being warm enough to soak in.  This one is Old Town Hot Springs.  It is a full use facility with a fitness gym, olympic pool and several soaking pools.  The Heart Pool is the signature destination.  It has been a destination for travelers and residents since the inception.  History comments on how the Ute Indians and the Arapaho Indians would fight over these springs, noting the spiritual and healing qualities of the waters.