Steamboat Springs, located in northern Colorado, offers a variety of activities the whole family can appreciate. While the area remains popular for winter skiing, summer activities are also enjoyable. Health-conscious visitors can add to the camping experience with wilderness hiking and biking, water sports, hot springs and trips to the local museums and historic buildings. The area offers a variety of private and public campgrounds for both tenters and RVers.
Getting There
Take Interstate 70 west from Denver to Route 131 north to the city. The 157-mile drive from Denver to Steamboat Springs offers plenty of scenery and potential wildlife sightings. Yampa Valley Regional Airport offers daily flights to and from Steamboat Springs, just 22 miles away. The city of Steamboat Springs offers free citywide bus service.
Private Campgrounds
More than a dozen private campgrounds offer campers space to enjoy a camping adventure. RVs are encouraged at these campgrounds, with tent camping also available. Visitors who want to bring their boats may want to stay at Dutch Hill campground, with its close location to the Steamboat Lake Marina. Most of the area's private campgrounds offer numerous amenities, including showers, dump stations and firewood. Consider making reservations for the busiest period from late June through August.
Public Campgrounds
Two nearby state parks offer RV and tent camping facilities. Steamboat Lake State Park, which features a 1,053-acre lake at 8,100 feet, offers views of the picturesque lake with the mountains framing the waters. Pearl Lake State Park, located north of Steamboat Springs, offers a peaceful forest setting surrounded by the lake and mountains. Pearl Lake offers great opportunities for kayaking, canoeing and fly fishing as well as a wildlife viewing deck. Reservations are highly recommended for stays during July and August.
Activities
The area around Steamboat Springs offers various outdoor adventures, including hiking and biking followed by a soak in the hot springs. Campers at Steamboat Lake State Park enjoy several trails starting in the campground. Trails includes the Poverty Bar Trail, a 1.1-mile easy loop hike, and the 3.7-mile Willow Creek Trail, perfect for bikes and hikers. Another popular trail includes the Tombstone Nature Trail, listed as one of the best short trails in Colorado, according to Colorado State Parks. The trail takes you to excellent views of Steamboat Lake while highlighting the area's natural and cultural history. You'll also find rafting and kayaking, tubing down the river and plenty of fishing opportunities.
Preparation
Steamboat Springs and its surrounding areas exceed mile-high elevations, so layered clothing works well, especially during the cool evenings. Rain gear also comes in handy. Plenty of grocery stores, delis and a bakery exist in Steamboat Springs to stock up on food and water. Sunscreen and hats are a necessity to keep sunburn to a minimum. Several shops in Steamboat Springs rent bicycles, kayaks, canoes and fishing gear. To fish in Colorado, you'll need a fishing license, which you can obtain in Steamboat Springs.
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