Steamboat Springs

Routt County, Colorado · Near Steamboat Springs
40.4830°N, 106.8270°W · 6,757 ft
102°F 49°F air · Good soaking weather 6,757 ft Roadside Camping nearby (4.3 mi)

Steamboat Springs, the spring, sits a few hundred yards from the town of the same name, beside Fish Creek Falls Road in Routt County. Water comes out at soaking warmth, right around a hot bath. Neither landowner nor access status appears on file. OpenStreetMap carries no separate name and no fee for it.

Location

Roadside, about thirty feet from Fish Creek Falls Road. The elevation is a bit under 6,800 feet. The snow total on file is a little over nine feet. Yearly precipitation is moderate. For camping the record gives Dry Lake Campground, a little over four miles off.

December through February come out as the better months. There is no walk. Temperature sits in comfortable range and needs no warning attached. The pH is slightly alkaline going by a 1978 sample, with iron showing up alongside the usual major ions. Town is close, so find out who controls this ground before you treat it as a public soak.

Terrain

USGS hasn't flown a detailed laser scan here yet, so this view comes from aerial photos and older elevation data.

Aerial view of the ground around Steamboat Springs

The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the southeast.
Highest ground nearby
150 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southeast
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
116 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 69% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
20°
Jan
23°
Feb
31°
Mar
37°
Apr
46°
May
62°
Jun
68°
Jul
67°
Aug
58°
Sep
42°
Oct
29°
Nov
19°
Dec
Annual Precip: 23.8 in Annual Snow: 114.0 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 19°F · Water 102°F · +83° contrast
January Air 20°F · Water 102°F · +82° contrast
February Air 23°F · Water 102°F · +79° contrast
December offers 49°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
49°F
N 12.9 mph 69% Good soaking weather
Today 74° Low 40° Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 37% precip
Spring is +28° warmer
Wednesday 72° Low 41° Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 35% precip
Spring is +30° warmer
Thursday 72° Low 40° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 74% precip
Spring is +30° warmer
Friday 70° Low 36° Showers And Thunderstorms 75% precip
Spring is +32° warmer
Saturday 72° Low 34° Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 26% precip
Spring is +30° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1978-06-06

The water at Steamboat Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 8.0). It is notably rich in sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration) and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).

pH 8.0 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 18 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 300 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 130 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 330 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 40 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Dry Lake Campground (Co) 4.3 mi away

Overview Dry Lake Trailhead is located off County Road 60 (Buffalo Pass Road) and is near the Dry Lake Campground. This trailhead provides access to both non-motorized and motorized trails. Access for dirt bikes and other recreational vehicles on Buffalo Pass Road. This is a very high-use year-round trailhead and a gateway to exploring the aspens, sub-alpine firs, and wildflowers of the mountains of the Park Range. A vault toilet is provided at the Trailhead. Dry Lake Trailhead is managed by...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 6,757 ft

Steamboat Springs sits at 6,757 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 27% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
102°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 102°F (39°C)
Avg Air Temp 42°F
Above Ambient +60°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Fish Creek Falls Road
Distance to Road 29 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Steamboat Springs?
Steamboat Springs has a water temperature of 102°F (39°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Steamboat Springs located?
Steamboat Springs is located in Routt County, Colorado at 6,757 feet elevation, near Steamboat Springs. Coordinates: 40.4830°N, 106.8270°W.
How do I get to Steamboat Springs?
Steamboat Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Fish Creek Falls Road (29 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Steamboat Springs?
Yes, Dry Lake Campground (Co) is located nearby (4.3 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Steamboat Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 8.0 (slightly alkaline).
Sources: USGS NWIS, Wikipedia