Strawberry Hot Springs, Colorado: The Complete Visitor Guide
Strawberry Hot Springs is a set of natural stone pools built into a creek canyon about seven miles north of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Geothermal water comes out of the ground near 147°F, gets mixed with cold water from Hot Spring Creek, and settles into a stack of masonry pools that sit around 102 to 104°F at the top and cool off as they step down toward the creek. There's no chlorine, no big concrete deck, and no waterslide. It's rock, water, steam, and trees.
The catch is that you can't just drive up and walk in anymore. Strawberry Park Hot Springs (the official name) now runs on timed reservations, takes cash only, and turns into an adults-only, clothing-optional spot after dark. The last two miles of road are dirt, steep, and governed by a winter traction law that keeps a lot of rental cars out from November through May. This guide covers the reservation system, prices, the drive, what the pools feel like, and the rules that trip up first-timers.
What You'll Learn
- Quick stats at a glance
- Where it is and how to get there
- The drive and the winter traction law
- Reservations, hours, and prices
- What the pools are actually like
- Day visit versus after dark
- What to bring
- Staying overnight at the springs
- Strawberry Park versus other Colorado hot springs
- Common visitor mistakes
- Frequently asked questions
Quick stats at a glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Address | 44200 County Road 36, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 |
| Distance from downtown Steamboat | ~7 miles, 15 to 20 minutes |
| Elevation | About 7,000 feet |
| Source water temperature | ~147°F at the spring |
| Soaking pool temperatures | Roughly 102 to 104°F, cooler near the creek |
| Reservations | Required, two-hour timed sessions, book online ahead |
| Admission (as of 2026) | About $20 per person, cash only on arrival |
| Payment | Cash only, no card reader, no ATM on-site |
| Hours (Sun to Thu) | 10 AM to 10 PM, last entry 8 PM |
| Hours (Fri and Sat) | 10 AM to midnight, last entry 10 PM |
| After dark | Adults only, clothing optional, no cameras or phones |
| Winter access (Nov 1 to May 1) | 4WD or AWD with snow tires or chains required |
| Pets | Not allowed |
Where it is and how to get there
Strawberry Park Hot Springs sits up a side valley north of Steamboat Springs, in the rolling ranch country that runs toward the Mount Zirkel Wilderness. The address is 44200 County Road 36. Plug that into your map app before you leave town, because there's no cell service for the last stretch and you don't want to be guessing at a fork in the dark.
From downtown Steamboat Springs (about 20 minutes):
- From Lincoln Avenue (Highway 40), turn north onto 7th Street
- Follow it as it becomes Missouri Avenue, then Strawberry Park Road (County Road 36)
- Stay on County Road 36 as it climbs out of town and turns to dirt
- The springs are at the end, with a gravel lot at the entrance
From Denver (about 3 hours, 160 miles):
- US-40 west over Berthoud Pass to Steamboat Springs, then follow the directions above
- In winter, Berthoud Pass and Rabbit Ears Pass both demand respect; check road conditions before you go
Parking at the springs is genuinely limited. There's a small lot and that's it. On a Friday or Saturday night in ski season, it fills, which is one more reason the reservation system exists. If your group has more than one car, carpool.
The drive and the winter traction law
The first part of County Road 36 is paved and ordinary. The last two miles are not. They're packed dirt, steep in spots, and they wind up the canyon with a few blind curves and dropoffs. The county maintains the road, but maintained dirt is still dirt. In summer, any car gets up there fine if you take it slow.
Winter is a different story, and this is the single biggest thing people get wrong. From November 1 to May 1, Routt County enforces a traction law on this road: you need a 4WD or AWD vehicle with snow tires, or chains. Two-wheel-drive vehicles are not allowed up the road in that window, even with chains on. Cables and straps don't count as chains. The Colorado State Patrol and the Routt County Sheriff actually enforce this, and the road ices into a luge run after a storm.
If you're flying in and renting a car, this matters a lot. A front-wheel-drive rental sedan will not be getting you to the springs between November and May. Your options are to rent a proper 4WD with winter tires or to take the shuttle. Several outfits in Steamboat run a Strawberry Park Hot Springs shuttle that's built to meet the county traction law, and they'll often run even when the road is closed to private cars. For a winter visit without the right vehicle, the shuttle isn't a luxury, it's the plan.
One more note: there are no guardrails worth counting on, and the lot at the top is small and can be slick. Go slow, use low gear on the way down, and give yourself extra time.
Reservations, hours, and prices
You can't walk in. Strawberry Park Hot Springs uses timed, two-hour reservations that you book online ahead of time, and capacity is capped so the pools don't turn into a crowd. On busy weekends and through ski season, sessions sell out days in advance, so book as early as you can lock in a date.
As of 2026, admission runs about $20 per person for a two-hour session, and it's cash only. There's no card reader at the gate and no ATM on-site, so bring bills, including enough for your whole group. Rates have historically varied a bit by age, with lower prices for kids and seniors and free entry for children under 3, but the simplest way to plan is to assume $20 a head and confirm the current numbers on the official site when you book.
Hours are:
- Sunday through Thursday: 10 AM to 10 PM, last entry at 8 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 10 AM to midnight, last entry at 10 PM
Your two hours start at your reservation time, so don't show up late and don't dawdle in the parking lot. Build in a few minutes to walk down from the lot, change, and find a pool.
What the pools are actually like
The water here comes out of the hillside near 147°F, which is hot enough to scald, so it gets blended with cold creek water as it moves through the pools. The result is a series of stone-walled pools stacked down the slope along Hot Spring Creek. The uppermost pools, closest to the source, run hottest, around 102 to 104°F, which is true hot-tub heat. As you move down toward the creek, the pools get cooler because more cold water mixes in, and the lowest pools can be downright refreshing in summer.
The masonry is hand-built rock, not poured concrete, so the bottoms are uneven and the edges are natural. The setting is the whole point: pine and aspen on the canyon walls, the creek running right alongside, and in winter, snow piled on the rocks while steam pours off the water. People who've soaked at a lot of Colorado hot springs tend to rank Strawberry Park near the top for atmosphere.
A few practical notes on the water. There's no chlorine, so this is a natural soak, and the bottom can be silty or have loose rocks. Water shoes or sandals you don't mind getting wet help. The hottest pools are genuinely hot, so ease in and step down to a cooler pool if you start to overheat. At 7,000 feet, hot water plus altitude dehydrates you fast.
Day visit versus after dark
Strawberry Park runs two very different experiences depending on the clock, and you need to know which one you're walking into.
During the day, it's a family-friendly soak. Swimsuits are required for everyone, kids are welcome, and it plays like a rustic natural pool. A daytime reservation is the move if you've got children or just want a low-key soak with mountain views.
After dark, the rules change. Once the sun goes down, the springs become adults only, minors are not permitted, and the pools are clothing optional. To protect privacy, no cameras or phones may be used for photos or video after dark, and the staff take that seriously. If you're bringing kids, book a daytime slot and plan to be out before sundown.
A handful of other rules apply at all hours, and they check bags at the entrance: no food, no alcohol, no smoking, no glass, and no pets. This isn't a place to bring a cooler. Come to soak, then go eat in town afterward.
What to bring
- Cash for admission, exact-ish bills for your whole group
- A swimsuit, required during the day and a good idea to have at night too
- A towel, or rent one on-site; bringing your own is cheaper
- A robe and sandals or water shoes for the walk between pools, which is cold in winter
- A headlamp for evening visits, since the path and lot are dark
- Water to drink, because hot water plus 7,000 feet of elevation dehydrates you
- Warm layers for the walk back to the car, especially in winter
- A dry bag or plastic bag for wet gear afterward
Leave the snacks, the booze, and the speaker at home. They'll be turned away at the gate.
Staying overnight at the springs
Strawberry Park also rents a small number of rustic lodging options right on the property, and they book up fast. Choices have included simple cabins, a converted train caboose, and a covered wagon. These are genuinely rustic: think no electricity and an outdoor walk to facilities, with the trade-off being that you get the pools close by and the canyon to yourself once the day crowd clears out. Overnight bookings typically open about 90 days ahead, and they go quickly for weekends and ski season, so plan early if a stay is the goal.
If overnight lodging is full, the easy fallback is to stay in Steamboat Springs, which has everything from budget motels to slope-side condos, and drive or shuttle up for a session.
Strawberry Park versus other Colorado hot springs
Colorado is loaded with hot springs, and they're not interchangeable. Here's where Strawberry Park fits.
Strawberry Park is the rustic, natural, atmosphere-first option. The pools are rock-walled, the water is unchlorinated, and the after-dark, clothing-optional scene gives it a different feel from a family pool. The trade-offs are the cash-only gate, the reservation system, and the winter road.
If you want a big swimming pool experience with lap lanes and a slide, the Glenwood Hot Springs pool is the largest mineral pool in the world and is open 365 days a year right off I-70. For a mountain-town soak with a view of the box canyon, the Ouray Hot Springs pool in the San Juans is hard to beat. And if you're closer to the Collegiate Peaks, the Mount Princeton Hot Springs resort mixes a developed pool with natural creek-side soaking.
For the full statewide rundown, including dispersed and free soaking spots, see our best hot springs in Colorado guide. If you're piecing together a winter trip, our winter hiking guide for beginners pairs well with a soak, and it's worth reading up on altitude sickness before you spend a day going hard at 7,000-plus feet.
Common visitor mistakes
- Showing up without cash. No card reader, no ATM. People drive an hour and get turned around at the gate over this.
- Skipping the reservation. Walk-ins aren't accepted. Book online before you leave town.
- Bringing a 2WD car in winter. The traction law is real and enforced. Rent a 4WD or take the shuttle from November through May.
- Bringing kids after dark. Minors aren't allowed once the sun goes down. Book a daytime slot for a family visit.
- Packing a cooler. No food, alcohol, glass, or pets, and they check bags. Eat in town.
- Pulling out a phone at night. No photos or video after dark, full stop.
- Underdressing for the walk. The path between the lot and the pools is cold and dark in winter. Bring a robe, sandals, and a headlamp.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a reservation for Strawberry Hot Springs?
Yes. Strawberry Park Hot Springs runs on timed two-hour reservations that you book online ahead of time, and walk-ins aren't accepted. Sessions sell out on weekends and through ski season, so book as early as you can pin down a date.
How much does Strawberry Hot Springs cost?
As of 2026, expect about $20 per person for a two-hour session, with lower rates historically for kids and seniors. It's cash only, with no card reader or ATM on-site, so bring bills for your whole group and confirm current prices when you book.
Is Strawberry Hot Springs clothing optional?
During the day it's swimsuit-required and family-friendly. After dark it becomes adults only and clothing optional, and no cameras or phones may be used for photos or video at night. If you're bringing children, book a daytime slot and plan to leave before sundown.
Can you drive to Strawberry Hot Springs in winter?
Only with the right vehicle. From November 1 to May 1, Routt County requires 4WD or AWD with snow tires, or chains, on the last two dirt miles, and 2WD vehicles aren't allowed even with chains. If you don't have a capable vehicle, take one of the Steamboat shuttles that are set up to meet the traction law.
Are kids allowed at Strawberry Park Hot Springs?
Yes, during the day, when swimsuits are required and the pools are family-friendly. Minors are not permitted after dark, when the springs switch to adults-only and clothing-optional. For a family visit, book a daytime reservation and be out before sunset.
Final thoughts
Strawberry Hot Springs rewards a little planning. Book the reservation, pull out cash before you leave Steamboat, sort out a winter-capable vehicle or a shuttle, and know whether you're walking into the daytime family scene or the after-dark one. Do that and you get one of the better natural soaks in Colorado: hand-built stone pools, a creek running past, and steam rising into the pines.
For more soaking ideas around the state, see our best hot springs in Colorado guide, and pair the trip with our winter hiking guide for beginners if you're building a cold-weather weekend around it.
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