Steamboat Springs, Colorado, was originally the summer hunting grounds for the Ute Indians. In the 1800s, French fur trappers discovered the area. Hearing the "chug chug" sound of the nearby hot spring, the trappers mistakenly thought it was a steamboat coming up a river, resulting in the spring's name. Today, Steamboat is a popular destination for camping enthusiasts.
National Forest Camping
There are a variety of locations in the Steamboat Springs areas suitable for camping. One of the largest is Routt National Forest. Located just east of Steamboat, Routt features more than a million acres of land for camping, hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding and skiing. There are 14 campgrounds in the forest. From the small 10-site Lynx Pass campsite to the nearly six dozen campsites located at the Bear Lake site, Routt offers a diverse array of camping experiences. Most offer combination RV and tent sites, while some camping areas also offer locations that are solely dedicated to tent camping. Routt camping areas are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day; however, inclement weather may alter these dates, so always check with the Forest Service before planning your trip. Depending on the campsite, reservations can be made online via the Recreation.gov website, but some sites do not take reservations and are only available on a first come, first served basis.
State Park Camping
There are also several state parks. To the north, you can visit Sylvan Lake State Park, Pearl Lake State Park and Steamboat Lake State Park. Stagecoach State Park is south of Steamboat, and Yampa River State Park is to the west. Sylvan Lake offers 44 mixed-use campsites at an elevation of 8,500 feet. Flushing toilets and hot showers are available in the summer months, with vault toilets available year round. From mid-May to September, there is a group campsite available that can host up to 60 people.
Pearl Lake's campground, located along the reservoir, offers three dozen campsites as well as two yurts. Yurts are portable dome-shaped structures used by the nomadic tribes of the Mongols and Siberians. Campsites are suitable for tents, trailers and small motor homes. In the winter, the road to the yurts is inaccessible, but campers can access these unique lodgings via snowshoes, cross-country skis or snowmobile. Reservations can be made online via the Pearl Lake State Park website and are highly recommended.
Steamboat Lake State Park offers both electric and non-electric campsites for RVs and tents at 188 campsites in two areas. The Dutch Hill camping area is located near the marina. The Sunrise Vista camping area features a natural amphitheater and is a short quarter-mile walk to the marina. Steamboat Lake State Park also offers 10 camper cabins. Reservations are taken from Memorial Day through mid-September and are highly recommended during this busy season.
RV Campgrounds
There are numerous privately owned RV campgrounds around the Steamboat Springs area. Most of these parks offer RV hookups as well as pull-through sites, showers and pay-to-use laundry facilities. Some, like the Steamboat Campground, offer waterfront access, a pool for campers' use, wireless Internet and cable television. Several of these RV campgrounds also have spots suitable for tent camping. These facilities are often open year round for those who'd like to enjoy all the activities this area has to offer, during all four seasons--from hiking to snow skiing.
RV Campgrounds
Both Pearl Lake and Steamboat Lake offer boating and fishing opportunities. Fly and lure fishing for cutthroat trout is popular at both lakes. You can fish from the shorelines or rent a canoe, paddle boat or fishing boat. The North Platte River and the Yampa River, serving as the primary tributaries from the Continental Divide running through the middle of the Routt National Forest, also are popular trout fishing destinations. If you're up for a little more excitement, you can rent a speedboat at either lake for water skiing or wake boarding. For certified divers, scuba equipment rental allows you to explore this region under the water.
Events
Throughout the summer, there are a variety of events to keep you busy while camping in Steamboat. Every July, the Howelsen Hill 8-mile and 4-mile trail run is a great way for runners, walkers and race walkers to see this beautiful area. Bring your walking shoes for the Steamboat Springs First Friday Artwalk. Held the first Friday of the month from spring through summer, this is a self-guided tour of galleries and several alternative art venues. In May, the annual Paddling Life Invitational brings top kayakers from around the world to this one-day event. Participate or just watch as kayakers race downriver from the midsection of Fish Creek and then compete in a freestyle event in downtown Steamboat's C-Hole, a man-made water feature.
Hiking in the Area
Don't forget your hiking boots when you go camping. Hiking trails surround Steamboat Springs. Fish Creek Falls is just four miles from downtown Steamboat and features a 283-foot-tall waterfall. If you like remote locations, Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area stretches from Buffalo Pass up to the border of Wyoming. South of Steamboat, the Flat Tops Wilderness Area offers hikers the opportunity to explore unique geological formations, including alpine lakes and sheer volcanic cliffs. For more volcanic formations, access Rabbit Ears Pass from Highway 40. In the summertime, the Steamboat ski area is opened to hikers and bikers, with trails for different skill levels, featuring scenic views and nature trails. If you're hungry after a day of hiking and biking, take the gondola up the mountain for a variety of dining options.
Mountain Biking
Steamboat offers campers who are mountain biking enthusiasts a network of trails that are internationally known for the challenging elevation, technical aspects and mountainous terrain. There are more than 50 miles of trails to explore at the Steamboat ski area, and there are hundreds of miles more around the county. Plus, you don't have to bring your bike to enjoy these trails. There are several bike rental shops around Steamboat and even a mountain bike school that offers both private and semi-private bike handling instruction.
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