Old Town Hot Springs

Old Town Hot Springs is a non-profit hot springs, pool and fitness center at 136 Lincoln Avenue, at the east end of downtown Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Its outdoor mineral pools are open year-round, and the operator says the facility is steps from the free town bus stop at Lincoln and 3rd Street. Every pool is fed by the Heart Spring. The operator says this natural mineral spring flows about 250 gallons a minute of 102-103°F water, so it doesn't have to be mixed with cooler river water. The Heart Spring pool itself is not chlorinated, turns over about every 15 minutes, and is for ages 18 and up. Chloride, sodium, sulfate, silica and calcium are the most abundant minerals, with lithium among the rest. Spa One sits steps from the spring at 100-103°F. Spa Three runs 104-105°F, the Big Hot Pool around 98°F, and the Baby Hot Pool 96-98°F. The Ice Box is a 55°F cold plunge for adults. NOAA's thermal springs survey lists Steamboat Springs at 102°F. The Yampatika Ute knew these as medicine springs, the operator's history says. Town founder James Crawford called the spring the Bath Spring in 1885. A bathhouse and outdoor pool followed in 1909-1910, and in 1931 H.W. Gossard ringed the spring with a heart-shaped stone wall and renamed it the Heart Spring. In 1935 the springs passed to the non-profit association that also owned Strawberry Park Hot Springs. No reservations are taken, and passes are not sold online. Daily admission is $35 for adults 15 and up, $27 for ages 3 to 14 and $32 for seniors 65 and up; children under 3 are free. The facility is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends, and the pools clear 15 minutes before closing. Appropriate bathing attire is required. Outside food is allowed, but glass and alcohol are not. The operator suggests weekday mornings for a quieter soak, and earlier in the day in summer, when afternoon lightning can close the pools.

Sources: oldtownhotsprings.org (1), oldtownhotsprings.org (2), oldtownhotsprings.org (3), oldtownhotsprings.org (4), oldtownhotsprings.org (5), oldtownhotsprings.org (6), oldtownhotsprings.org (7), doi.pangaea.de

Old Town Hot Springs, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is within a quarter mile of a road a car can reach — filed as sedan / 2wd. Community-pool development, on the operator's own site. Water temperature listed without a NOAA vent reading: 102°F. Expect the $$ entry band on this listing and amenities on file include food on-site and massage/spa. Plan on clothing required, on the operator's own site.