Steamboat Springs
Around Steamboat Springs
Photo: katkimchee · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Colorado · 38k people
Steamboat Springs
Locals say Yampa Valley · “Ski Town USA”, “The Boat”
Where the West meets the powder
Aspen GoldNight Sky BluePine Green
Welcome to the Yampa Valley! Whether you're here for the powder or the hot springs, you'll find a friendly community that loves the outdoors. Grab a local brew and enjoy the mountain air.
Clubs for Steamboat Springs
No clubs for Steamboat Springs yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Steamboat Springs. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Steamboat Springs. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Tread of Pioneers Museum Local history in a 1908 Victorian home
- Yampa River Botanic Park Free gardens along the river, popular for walks
- Fish Creek Falls Scenic 280-foot waterfall a short drive from town
- Steamboat Art Museum Regional art in the historic Rehder Building
- Emerald Mountain Hiking and mountain biking with panoramic valley views
- Brent Romick Rodeo Arena Home of the Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo
- Outdoors Skiing and snowboarding
- Outdoors Hiking
- With kids Kids ski school at Steamboat Ski Resort
- With kids Howelsen Hill ice skating
- Evenings Après-ski at the base
- Evenings Brewery hopping
- Locals love Hot springs
- Locals love Ski slopes
Through the year
- Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival February Historic ski jumping, street events, and fireworks on Lincoln Avenue
- Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series June–August Weekly rodeos at Brent Romick Rodeo Arena all summer
- Yampa River Festival June Kayak races, stand-up paddleboard, and river fun downtown
- Steamboat Wine Festival September Wine tastings, culinary events, and live music
- Free Summer Concert Series July–August Outdoor concerts in the Yampa River Botanic Park
High-altitude mountain climate with cold, snowy winters and mild, sunny summers. Best time to be out is winter for skiing and summer for hiking. Best: Winter for skiing, summer for hiking and festivals
Talk like a local
- “The Boat”
- Nickname for Steamboat Springs
- “Champagne powder”
- Light, dry snow typical of the area
- “The Yampa”
- The Yampa River
- “Routt”
- Routt County
Getaways
- Breckenridge Another iconic ski town with historic Main Street
- Laramie University town with frontier history and the Wyoming Territorial Prison
- Boulder Flatirons, Pearl Street Mall, and a lively food scene
- Fort Collins Old Town breweries and the Cache la Poudre River
Local flavour
Rooting for Denver Broncos (NFL), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Rockies (MLB), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado State Rams (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Rocky Mountain oysters A local delicacy, often served at ranch-style restaurants.
- Elk burgers Game meat burgers, a staple in mountain towns.
- Bison burgers Lean, local alternative to beef, found in many eateries.
- Craft beer from local breweries The area has a thriving microbrewery scene, with several local taps.
Where people go
- Ski resorts Steamboat Ski Resort and other slopes in the area.
- Hot springs Natural geothermal pools, like the iconic Old Town Hot Springs.
- Dude ranches Working guest ranches that offer horseback riding and western experiences.
- Western main streets Historic downtowns with a frontier feel, like Steamboat's Lincoln Avenue.
- Mountain trails Hiking and biking trails through aspen groves and alpine meadows.
Heritage and traditions
Steamboat Springs and the Yampa Valley are proud of their western ranching heritage, world-class skiing, and the natural hot springs that have drawn visitors for over a century.
This time of year in Steamboat Springs
- Fall aspen colors and hunting Fall Golden leaves and big-game hunting season.
Say it like a local: “Yampa” — A term for the Yampa River, pronounced YAM-pa.
Festivals
- Strings Music Festival Summer A summer-long classical and contemporary music festival in Steamboat.
- Yampa Valley Crane Festival September Celebrates the migration of sandhill cranes with guided tours and talks.
- Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials September International sheepdog herding competition held in Meeker.
- Steamboat Springs Arts & Crafts Festival July Juried arts and crafts show in downtown Steamboat.
Landmarks with a story
- Meeker Hotel A historic hotel in Meeker, dating back to the late 1800s, with western charm.
- Meeker Massacre Monument Commemorates the 1879 conflict between the Ute tribe and Indian agent Nathan Meeker.
- Hayden Heritage Center Local museum in Hayden showcasing railroad and ranching history.
- Moffat County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Craig, built in the early 1900s, a local landmark.
Food traditions
- Dutch oven cooking A ranching tradition of slow-cooked stews, breads, and desserts at rodeos and cookoffs.
- Lamb dishes from Meeker Meeker is sheep country, so lamb roasts and chops are local specialties.
- Yampa River trout Freshly caught trout from the Yampa is a prized meal, often grilled or pan-fried.
- Cowboy coffee Strong, black coffee brewed over an open fire, a staple at camps and ranches.
Music and arts
- Bluegrass and country music Live music in bars and festivals, reflecting the western heritage.
- Western art galleries Steamboat's art scene features paintings and sculptures of the American West.
- Local folk music Singer-songwriters performing in intimate venues around town.
A little history
- 1879 Meeker Massacre
- 1880s Founding of Steamboat Springs as a resort town
- Early 1900s Coal mining boom in Craig and Oak Creek
- 1940s Oil boom in Rangely
- 1913 Development of Howelsen Hill as a ski jump
- Game day Ski racing at Howelsen Hill
- Game day Rodeo at Brent Romick Arena
- Outdoors Skiing at Steamboat Resort
- Outdoors Soaking in hot springs
- With kids Kids ski school
- With kids Ice skating at Howelsen Hill
Locals speak with a relaxed Western drawl, mixing ranching vocabulary with ski slang. You'll hear 'Howdy' and 'Powder day' around town.
Only here
- Ski joring – horses pulling skiers during the Winter Carnival.
- The Yampa River flowing right through downtown Steamboat.
- Strawberry Park Hot Springs – a natural, clothing-optional hot spring.
- Champagne powder – the light, dry snow that Steamboat is famous for.
New here? A few tips
- Learn to ski or snowboard – it's the heart of the community.
- Stay hydrated and take it easy at first – the altitude is around 6,700 feet.
- Be ready for cold winters with layers and good boots.
- Try the natural hot springs – a local tradition for relaxation.
- Get a map of the Yampa River Core Trail for easy biking and walking.
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Nearby
Every areaGranbyColoradoWhere the river begins and the stars shine bright.EdwardsColoradoWhere the peaks meet your soul.RifleColoradoWhere the mountains meet the river.BreckenridgeColoradoWhere the peaks touch the sky and the town feels like home.LaramieWyomingWhere the high plains meet the Snowy RangeBoulderColoradoWhere the mountains meet the mindsFort Collins–LovelandColoradoWhere the Rockies meet your glassDenverColoradoA mile high, full of sunshine, mountains, and craft beer.
Steamboat Springs, CO. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.