Steamboat Springs is a beautiful cozy town in Northern Colorado. There are tons of things to do in Steamboat Springs no matter the season.
While it is often recognized for the Ski Resort, the name actually comes from the natural “springs” that are located all around town. Many of the springs can have a sulphur scent, so be prepared for some interesting smells!
The locals there will be the first to tell you that the town is actually more fun outside of ski season. That’s when this town bursts with a huge array of activities and entertainment. So here is an ideal itinerary if you plan to stroll through Steamboat Springs in winter, spring, summer, or fall.
Year-Round Things To Do in Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs can be a great town to visit all year round. While Steamboat Springs is often known for its epic ski resort, it can also be fun any other time of year.
Generally, it will be less busy during shoulder seasons (late April-May & November-early December) and not a ton of activities going on in town. But during peak season you can find the town bustling with energy. Here are some top things to do in Steamboat Springs all year round.
Strawberry Park Hot Springs:
The Strawberry Park Hot Springs are one of our favorite hot springs we have ever been to. They are natural springs surrounded by aspen trees, colorful flowers, and beautiful stonework.
To access the hot springs for a day is $15 per person. The hot springs are also cleaned twice a week, so if you want them extra fresh check them out Wednesday or Thursday.
They have many “pools” with different temperatures, so it’s easy to spend a couple of hours bouncing from pool to pool.
Summertime offers a fresh perspective of native plants, but winter can be beautiful too with snow-capped trees and icicles hanging.
If you are looking for accommodation, there are rustic cabins and tent campsites that can be rented out.
Reservations are encouraged. Check out the Strawberry Park Hot Springs website for more information.
Old Town Hot Springs
Another awesome hot springs location in the heart of Steamboat Springs is Old Town Hot Springs. A natural spring pumps out 220 gallons of 102-103 degree water from the ground per minute.
They have the original soaking pool, plus 2 other spas. Additionally, there is a main hot pool, lap pool, kiddie pool, and water slides. So this can be a fun adventure for the whole family.
Plus no advanced reservations are required at the Old Town Hot Springs.
Steamboat Scenic Gondola Ride:
Riding up a gondola to the top of a ski mountain always provides stunning views of the Yampa Valley.
The price for a lift ticket is $20 for adults, $10 for additional children, and free for ages 4 and under. Riding up the gondola is the easiest way to have breathtaking panoramic views on top of a mountain. Plus there are restaurants up top, so you can enjoy a nice meal with a view.
Explore Downtown Steamboat Springs:
Steamboat Springs is a cute small town with very friendly locals. Main Street is along Lincoln Avenue and has many souvenir shops, clothing stores, and restaurants to choose from.
We suggest taking a morning or afternoon to stroll through the streets of downtown.
If you want to make your stroll down main street a little more exciting, the Cat’s Meow offers an immersive scavenger hunt to learn the history and culture of the town.
Or for the history buffs, you might consider checking out the Tread of Pioneers Museum at the corner of Oak St. & 8th St. Here tourists can learn about the Ute People and the history of the ski culture through the years.
Parking in Steamboat Springs
During peak season, parking in town can be a challenge. But lucky for you the town offers a free shuttle to all tourists. You can use this helpful bus map for where and when to hop on the bus to town.
Grab a brew at Mountain Tap Brewery:
Mountain Tap Brewery seriously has the best beer! We got a flight of beer and we didn’t find a single one that wasn’t delicious!
Also, if you are hungry for a bite to eat, definitely look into their wood-fired pizzas. They are super unique and bursting with flavor. Their shrimp appetizer was pretty bomb too.
The brewery is located one street over from the main stretch of Steamboat Springs.
Howelsen Ice Arena
Visit the indoor ice rink at Howelsen Ice Arena. If you crave those winter activities year-round, no worries, as the Howelsen Ice Arena is open in summer as well. Although it is generally closed for maintenance during shoulder seasons (Oct-Nov & Apr-May)
They offer public skating, hockey, and bumper cars. Reservations must be made in advance for bumper cars.
Horseback Riding
Take in the mountain views via horseback ride.
Saddleback Ranch, just outside town offers two unique horseback riding tours. One being a one to two hour scenic ride or a 3-hour ride with a picnic lunch. They even offer tours in the winter as well.
Stagecoach State Park:
On a beautiful day, it can be fun to check out the Stagecoach Reservoir at Stagecoach State Park. It is located right outside Steamboat Springs in the Yampa Valley.
Admission into the park is $8 per vehicle. There are many recreational activities such as biking, boating, fishing, volleyball, canoeing/kayaking, etc. You also could pack a nice picnic lunch and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
There is also public camping around the lake, but be sure to reserve a spot before arriving.
The park is also open year-round, so be sure to check it out if you are looking for something to do in Steamboat Springs. Check out Stagecoach State Parks website for more information.
Casual Walk on Yampa River Core Trail:
The Yampa River Core Trail is a beautiful path that runs through Steamboat Springs with many natural hot springs along the way. There is a self-guided walking tour of the different hot springs throughout Steamboat Springs.
The trail starts at Bear River Park and extends 7.5 miles (one-way) to a little south past Rotary Park. Of course, you can do as much or as little of the trail as you would like.
Check out the walking tour of the springs for more information.
The Yampa River Core Trail can also be a great place for a casual bike ride.
Summer Things To Do In Steamboat Springs
Summer is one of the most popular times in Steamboat Springs. It draws in so many outdoor enthusiasts to endeavor the plentiful of outdoor activities. During the peak summer months, there is always something going on in town.
There is a web of trails, scenic drives, river floats, and more to keep everyone entertained. Here are some of the best things to do in Steamboat Springs in summer.
Hike Fish Creek Falls:
One of the best things to do in Steamboat Springs for nature lovers is hike to Fish Creek Falls. Getting to the epic waterfall at Fish Creek Falls is a short .8 mile walk. Plus, it is handicap accessible.
If you want to venture onto the second waterfall, it is a 4.7 mile hike with 1450 feet of elevation change (roundtrip). The hike can be challenging, but it will be worth the effort if you take your time and take breaks along the way.
Hikers can venture onward toward Long Lake if they are looking for additional exercise. But it does add on an additional 7.5 miles (roundtrip), making the whole hike a challenging 12+ miles adventure.
Check out our article on Tips For Hiking In The Mountains.
Steamboat Springs Farmers Market
If you’re visiting Steamboat Springs during summer, don’t miss the local farmers market. It typically runs mid-June through late September. There is usually a variety of 130+ local vendors offering local fruits, vegetables, crafts, clothing, art, etc.
The Steamboat Springs Farmers Market is located on Yampa Street between 5th and 8th Street.
White Water Rafting
Whitewater rafting is always a blast if you like a rush of adrenaline when powering through rushing water. There are a few different rivers near Steamboat Springs that offer fun white water rafting.
The rivers provide different levels of rafting depending on the rapids and flow of the river.
Steamboat Springs has a few white water rafting companies in town that offer a great adventure. Check into Bucking Rainbow Outfitters, Colorado River Guides, & Backdoor Sports for additional information about rafting in Steamboat Springs.
Howler Alpine Slide:
A fun activity to do in Steamboat Springs for the whole family is riding the Howler Alpine Slide. The slide stretched 2,400 feet long offering scenic views of the town of Steamboat Springs.
The price for a ride on the slide is $15, with the price decreasing per ride the more times you go.
The sleds for the slide are provided at the top of the gondola.
Check out Steamboat Alpine Slide for more information.
Rabbit Ears Pass
Take a scenic drive on Rabbit Ears Pass just outside of town. It’s open year-round yet is one of the snowiest passes in the state. The pass got its name from two rocks that resemble rabbit ears.
Hiking or Off-roading to Rabbit Ears Peak is a popular attraction in summer.
People can reach the peak of Rabbit Ears via a 5.5 mile, 947 ft climb. The hike is also a dirt track which can also be done with a 4×4 high clearance vehicle to the summit via FS Rd 291.
Buffalo Pass
Buffalo Pass is another scenic drive close to town. It is 11 miles to the summit. Guests can just ride to the top and take in the stunning scenery and return back to town. Or continue the journey 32 miles to the town of Walden.
Most vehicles should be able to make it to the top, but near the top high clearance is suggested.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Experience the town of Steamboat Springs from the air. Wild West offers a thrilling ride on a hot air balloon witnessing the raw beauty of the town. Hot air balloon rides fly over the Flat Top Mountains, and Hahn’s Peak which is an inactive Volcano.
Book a tour with Wild West Balloon Adventures
Tubing the Yampa River
A super fun thing to do in Steamboat Springs when the hot weather rolls through is float the Yampa River. If tourists have their own float, they can jump on the river themselves, or there are companies that can help organize the adventure.
Guests can launch at 5th Street Bridge or South near Fetcher Park.
Jake and I love to blow up our Intex K2 inflatable kayak for floating the rivers. We call it “couch mode” and it is great for carrying all our belongings. Plus we can carry a cooler for a nice picnic lunch and cold drinks.
A common route from tubing is to park at Stockbridge Transit Center and ride the red line to Fetcher Pond to launch your tube. For a slightly shorter ride, guests can park at Dr. Rich Weiss Park instead of Stockbridge Transit Center.
If you don’t have your own tube or prefer to go with a company, Bucking Rainbow Outfitters and Backdoor Sports offer rental equipment and shuttle services.
Fly above the Valley with Steamboat Zipline Adventures
For the adrenaline junkies, roam the mountain landscapes on 6 ziplines. The platforms range from 600 ft-1300 ft in length. Some of the lines can actually reach up to 40 mph.
Mountain Biking
During the summer, mountain biking is one of the more adventurous things to do in Steamboat Springs. The town is actually referred to as Bike Town USA, so I think you can guess that this area has some epic bike trails.
Bikers can head up the Steamboat Gondola or Christie Peak Express chairlift for some fun downhill and cross-country bike rides. But this does require a season pass or additional fees apply for riding the gondola.
A popular scenic route in the area is Flash of Gold to Grouse Ridge. This trail is about 21 miles and for expert-level riders.
Enhance Your Skills at the Steamboat Bike Park
The bike park has been closed since 2018 for much-needed construction. But summer of 2023 it is set to reopen. There are a variety of wooden jumps, and web of trails to enhance your mountain bike skills.
Steamboat Pro Rodeo Series
Attend a Steamboat Pro Rodeo Series at the Romick Arena in the Howelsen Hill Park Complex. Shows are every Friday and Saturday night in July and August. Rodeos are a rich part of Steamboat Springs history before the town was established.
Catch A Happy Hour Sunset At The Top Of The Gondola
Starting Memorial Day Weekend to the end of September, tourists can ride up the gondola to catch a magical sunset at the top of the hill. Guests can grab food, drinks, and live music up at the top.
Do note, the last upload to the top of the resort is 8pm and the last download is 9pm, so plan accordingly.
Try 18 Holes At a Local Golf Course
Haymaker Golf Course is a public, 18-hole course offering stunning views of Mt. Werner and surrounding Flat Top Mountains.
Rollingstone Ranch is a public, 18-hole course that also offers memberships. The course offers beautiful Yampa Valley Views and Fish Creek flowing through various parts of the course.
Steamboat Golf Club is the most affordable public course offering only 9-holes.
There is a 4th golf course in town, but it requires a membership. The Catamount Golf Course is a private 18-hole golf course bordering Lake Catamount.
The Land Up Activities
One of the fun things to do in Steamboat Springs for children or families is to check out the activity park at the base of the Ski Resort.
Some of the activities are:
- Outlaw Mountain Coaster
- Maverick Mini-Golf
- Kilimanjaro Climbing Wall
- Rock & Roll Tubing
- Stagecoach Bounce House
- Challenges Rope Course
- Boomerang Bungee Trampolines
- Seven Seas Mini-boats
The price is $49 for kids and $59 for adults. Check out The Land Up Activities for more information.
Tops Things To Do In Steamboat Springs In The Winter
Winter is one of the best times to visit Steamboat Springs. With the snow-capped mountains and challenging ski course, everyone wants to come visit the area. During the winter months, there are tons of things to do in Steamboat Springs in winter to keep everyone entertained.
Go Skiing At The Steamboat Ski Resort (Mt. Werner
Of course, the most popular thing to do in Steamboat Springs is ski at the famous Steamboat Springs Ski Resort. It is known to be one of the hardest ski areas in the country. Steamboat Springs Ski Resort sits on the Top of Mount Werner.
But with that being said, there are still plenty of easy trails to keep you entertained if you are a beginner.
Steamboat Springs Ski Resort also offers night skiing. Christie Peak Lift remains open and offers access to five trails.
Cross-Country Skiing
There are a few different Nordic skiing tracks in town.
- Steamboat Ski Touring Center
- Catamount Ranch and Club
- Haymaker Nordic Center
- Howelsen Hill
- Steamboat Lake
Howelsen Hill has a web of trails for cross-country skiing which offer easy access right in town. But they don’t provide rental equipment, so you might need to pick that up from a third-party rental company. All other companies provide rentals at their facility.
Guests may also snowshoe most of these tracks as well.
Howelsen Hill
Howelsen Hill is the oldest continuously operated ski area in Colorado. It is also widely known for its ski jumping complex.
This area has been in operation since 1915. So visiting this area means you are stepping onto a famous piece of history. Plus nearly 100 Olympians have trained here!
They offer affordable downhill skiing, a terrain park, and snow tubing. There is also a 20-foot hill for sledding located near the base of the hill.
Snowmobile Tour
Ever dream of exploring the peaks of the Continental Divide in winter? Well, a snowmobiling tour can provide just that.
Steamboat Snowmobile Tours offers beautiful tours through Routt National Forest along the Continental Divide. You can be the first one on the track with fresh snow or catch a sunset tour.
Book a tour with Steamboat Snowmobile Tours
Saddleback Ranch also offers snowmobiling tours that range from 2-3 hours. Witness gorgeous views of the Flat Tops, Mt. Werner, Sleeping Giant, and the Zirkels.
Book a tour with Saddleback Ranch
Skeeter’s Ice Rink
During the winter month in Steamboat Square, the resort sets up a public ice rink. Skating is free, but skate rentals are an additional cost.
Sleigh Ride
One of the funnest things to do in Steamboat Springs for the whole family in winter is a sleigh ride. A sleigh ride ventures through the snowy forest with amazing views. They even stop of a hot chocolate break.
Both Saddleback Ranch and Haymaker offer rides around town.
Save these ‘Things to do in Steamboat Springs’ for later
Have you visited Steamboat Springs? What was your favorite things you did?
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