Steaming hot spring pools at night with people soaking, an arched footbridge and snow along the edges

Old Town Hot Springs

Resort · Steamboat Springs

Old Town Hot Springs is a community recreation center in downtown Steamboat Springs, built around a natural hot spring that the Yampatika Ute used for healing long before the town was founded. A nonprofit has run it since 1935. Today it is as much a family fitness center as a soaking spot, and it welcomes drop-in visitors every day except Christmas and Thanksgiving.

All the mineral water comes from Heart Spring, which flows out of the ground without pumps. The site lists eight pools fed from it, including the adults-only Heart Spring pool at about 102–103°F, the family-friendly Big Hot Pool at around 98°F, jetted Spa One and Spa Three at 100–105°F, a Baby Hot Pool, a splash pool for young swimmers, and an adults-only Icebox cold plunge at 55°F. The water is natural and unchlorinated, and the main spring pool turns over about every 15 minutes.

Two 230-foot water slides run seasonally for $7 a day. There is also a gym, a climbing wall, massage suites, group classes and childcare.

Drop-in admission is $35 for adults, $32 for seniors 65 and over, $27 for youth 3 to 14, and free for ages 0 to 2. Passes are bought at the front desk, not online, and no reservations are needed. Outside food and drink are allowed, but glass and alcohol are not, and pets are not allowed.

The pools

  • Heart Spring · Natural, unchlorinated spring water that feeds all the pools. Adults 18 and over only.
    102–103°F
  • Big Hot Pool · Family-friendly, with small corners for privacy and an aquatics climbing wall
    About 98°F
  • Spa One · Smaller pool with jets and a nearby lawn
    100–103°F
  • Spa Three · Therapeutic jets, fed directly from Heart Spring. All ages.
    104–105°F
  • Baby Hot Pool · Spacious pool with a wraparound bench
    96–98°F
  • Icebox · Cold plunge. Adults 18 and over only.
    55°F
  • Splash Pool · Shallow with a beach-style entry, fenced and shaded, for the youngest swimmers

Amenities

Facilities

  • Free day-use lockers
  • Towel rental
  • Gym
  • Indoor and aquatics climbing walls
  • Massage suites
  • Group classes
  • Snack stand

Family & kids

  • Splash pool with beach entry
  • Two 230-foot water slides (seasonal)
  • Childcare center (ages 2 months to 10 years)

Food & drink

  • Snack stand
  • Outside food and drink allowed (no glass or alcohol)

Before you go

Best time to visit: Open all year, and the site says weekdays are quietest. Reviewers describe calm weekday and early-morning visits and praise cold-weather soaks, while summer weekends, holidays and school breaks fill the family pools. The slides run in season only.

  • Go on a weekday or early in the morning. The site says weekdays are quietest, and reviewers say it can feel busy at peak times.
  • Keep your receipt. A reviewer says you can come and go on the same day, which is handy with young kids.
  • Leave time for more than soaking. Reviewers like the gym, climbing wall, classes and massage on site.
  • Plan for limited parking. A few reviewers say the lot is small for the number of people.
  • Bring the whole family: the baby hot pool, splash pool and slides are popular with kids, and the Heart Spring and Icebox are for adults.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Natural, unchlorinated mineral water in several pools at different temperatures
  • Family friendly, with a splash pool, baby pool, slides and childcare
  • More than a soak: gym, climbing wall, classes and massage
  • Right in downtown Steamboat Springs
  • Friendly staff and lifeguards
  • Clean, well-kept facility and free lockers

Cons

  • Pricey, though many reviewers feel it is worth it
  • Can get crowded and loud at busy times
  • Small parking lot for the number of visitors
  • The adults-only Heart Spring is small, so it fills quickly

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a reservation?

No. Passes are bought at the front desk and no reservations are needed.

How much does admission cost?

Drop-in is $35 for adults, $32 for seniors 65 and over, and $27 for youth 3 to 14. Ages 0 to 2 are free. Slides are $7 a day. Many reviewers call it pricey but worthwhile.

Is it good for kids?

Yes. There is a baby hot pool, a fenced splash pool with a beach-style entry, two seasonal slides and a childcare center. Reviewers often bring toddlers and young kids.

Is the water chlorinated?

The site says the Heart Spring water is natural and unchlorinated. Many reviewers praise the mineral soak.

Is there a quieter, adults-only area?

Yes. The Heart Spring pool and the Icebox cold plunge are adults only (18 and over).

Can I bring food?

Outside food and drink are allowed, with no glass or alcohol. There is also a snack stand.

Nearby hot springs

Last checked October 26, 2026

Sources: oldtownhotsprings.org