In Hot Water--And Liking It

Our family loves hot springs pools, so we had to check out Strawberry Park Hot Springs while we were in Steamboat Springs. This rustic park is no Glenwood Springs, which has a giant mineral springs pool, decks for sunbathing and waterslides. When we got to the park, we walked down a steep hill to the pools, which were nestled next to a rushing mountain stream. The 150-degree hot springs water comes out of the mountain, mixes with ice-cold stream water, which is siphoned off the river into the pools and cools down to a comfortable 102 degrees. The only changing rooms were the bathroom at the top of the hill or a tipi—thankfully we came prepared by wearing our swimsuits under our clothes. Ethan and James were nervous at first about getting in because the stone steps into the pool were slippery.

But once in the water, we were able to relax and take in the beautiful mountain scenery. These hot springs are definitely worth the extra work it takes to enjoy them.