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Strawberry Park Hot Springs
By PK | July 30, 2008
Strawberry Park Hot Springs is located 7 miles north of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. It is on my list, ‘I want to visit’. The hot springs consist of three pools, each varying in temperature and are open year round. Five water falls are incorporated into the rock architecture creating one of the most attractive mineral springs in the world.
You can visit Strawberry Park Sunday thru Thursday at 10am till 10:30pm, and on Friday and Saturday from 10am till midnight. No one under 18 admitted after dark, as it’s clothes optional, and no admittance at all after 10:30pm. Local campsites available.
Now I’ve never been to a mineral hot springs and have always heard that it’s beneficial. But I got to wondering, how is it beneficial? So with my trusty computer and internet, here’s the details.
Hot Spring Therapy became popular in the nineteenth century and reached a pinnacle in the 1940s. Many doctors and resort owners laid unsubstantiated claims to the benefits of geothermally heated hot springs. The FDA stepped in and prohibited these organizations from making future claims.
However, in Europe and Japan, Mineral Hot Spring Therapy is considered an integrated part of allopathic medical practice and preventive medicine. European doctors have conducted research and concluded that Mineral Hot Spring Therapy is good for increasing blood circulation and oxygenation. It also stimulates the body’s metabolism and improves digestion.
Sounds great, but according to the article I read, soaking in a Mineral Hot Spring is not for everyone. In Japan, at the famous Kusatsu hot spring, each visitor is screened by a ‘bath master’ to determine if such a bath is beneficial and safe. Many of the stimulating benefits of a hot spring bath are temperature dependent. What is good for the goose, may after all not be good for the gander, or vice versa. The individuals who have certain predisposed health conditions should seek medical advice beforehand. The conditions listed are extreme hypertension, high fever, malignant tumors or cancerous conditions (internal), liver, kidney or circulation disorders, conditions presenting the risk of hemorrhaging, anemic conditions, pregnancy, congestive heart failure, recent stroke or heart attack, and bathing under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It further stated that bathing in a Hot Springs Mineral bath would probably be beneficial to individuals who have these conditions, just that there would a risk to doing so, depending on the nature of that medical condition. The tepid Hot Springs Mineral bath was stated to be the same as taking a bath at home. My advice would be…stay out of the Hot Spots!
There are several ways to reach Strawberry Park, by hiking, cycling, car or shuttle. If you’d like to be adventurous, you drive up Elk River Road and park at the Mad Creek Trailhead Parking, then walk about 100 yards to the Hot Springs Trail Head, trail 1169. The trail is about 3 miles west to the hot springs. Another route, by car with additional hiking or cycling available is Rt. 36. You can park at the Elk Park Trail and hike 2 miles up to the hot springs, or park at the Lower Bear Trailhead and hike just one mile. By vehicle, take Rt. 36, the last three miles being gravel. This is a steep, winding road, so slow down and be courteous to hikers and cyclists. In the winter it is illegal to drive the last two miles without a four wheel drive and/or chains from Novemeber 1st to May1st. It is recommended to take a shuttle when there is heavy traffic or snow. The shuttles are Sweet Pea (970-879-5820), Hot Springs Adventures (970-879-1873) or the Alpine Taxi (970-879-8294). You can call for pickup and drop off times. Reservations may be required.
I’ll see you there!!!!
photograph courtesy of Bill Kress
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Topics: "Post Cards From the West", Colorado, Colorado Campgrounds, Hiking, Camping, Fishing,, Steamboat Springs |
July 31st, 2008 at 2:41 am
Hmmm..didn’t realize that info about health risks in mineral hot springs! It sounds wonderful! WHEN you get there,someday, you’ll have to post about it!
July 31st, 2008 at 9:34 am
We drove through Colorado once and wanted to see the hot springs but all the ones we went buy were those commercialized ones… Your photo of the hot spring looks very serene and not as commercialized.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:43 am
Barb- We only live 10 miles from it. You’d think we would have visited there already. But then, when it’s a toss up between looking for ELK and or dipping into the hot springs, ELK always wins!! GO FIGURE!!! We both have ELK fever! LOL
Diva- I’ll know for sure when I visit there, then I’ll have lots of more pics to share along with my experience of the place. This pic is courtesy of a steamboat myspace friend, Bill Kress. Thanks for visiting.
July 31st, 2008 at 11:49 am
surely this hot spring should be in the ‘i want to visit’ list.
September 1st, 2008 at 12:56 pm
very good
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:13 am
very good