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VISITORS’ GUIDE Summer 2020

TOUR PLAY REVIVE

Steamboat’s high-fl ying zipline adventure

• 6 lines ranging from 600’-1300’

• UTV ride between line 5 and 6 along the Old Rabbit Ears Pass Road

• Reservations required

• Plan 2-3 hours for your adventure!

• Potential to see bear, elk, deer and moose roaming the valley

Take to the skies for an exhilarating, fun activity to be enjoyed with family and friends. Hidden away in a valley just minutes away from Steamboat Springs, our 6-segment zipline adventure awaits, with breathtaking views of the mountainous and valley terrain of the Yampa Valley and Flat Tops mountain range.

Play Outdoors and Be Well

A hummingbird feeds on flower nectar in Sascha’s Rock Garden at the Yampa River Botanic Park.

Welcome to Steamboat Springs! Travel looks a little different this summer, but some things remain the same: the Yampa Valley is full of life, and we are ready to welcome you to Steamboat Springs with a friendly smile. We’ve increased our high standards of COURTESY KARA STOLLER Soak in our hot springs, have fun at the lake fishing and swimming, and wind your way down the Yampa River rafting, tubing, or paddleboarding. Interested in a road trip this summer? Steamboat Springs is the perfect hub for a Northwest Colorado road trip. From here cleanliness in hotels, shops and restaurants, access multiple state parks, wilderness areas, and in transportation services. This issue and view incredible sights of our valley and of the Steamboat Springs Visitors’ Guide is here to help you discover our vast outdoor Iris, Kara and Andrew Stoller beyond. Don’t miss out on downtown Steamboat, playground and rich history. where you can experience our Western

Steamboat Springs may be a small mountain town, but that heritage, local arts and culture, and live music scene. doesn’t mean we don’t pack a punch with our access to the great Find serenity at the six-acre Yampa River Botanic Park, home outdoors, and in particular, our wide open spaces. Fish on the to gardens, ponds and plenty of space to spread out and relax. river for a quiet escape, run through our network of trails, or It’s been hard for us to ask visitors to stay home. We’ve missed horseback ride through our valley. helping you create memories that last a lifetime. We are ready to

Biking options are available for both experienced riders and welcome you back. beginners, for the downhill crowd and cross-country riders. There is a local saying in Steamboat: Come for the winters, The single-track trails are accessible right in town, and road and stay for the summers. Come see why! gravel riding are popular on our county roads.

Don’t forget your hiking shoes. Steamboat Springs is a Gateway Community for the Continental Divide Trail, so hop on the CDT to hike some of the best wide open spaces our state has to offer.

Splash in the abundant waters of Steamboat Springs and Kara Stoller see why we are famous for our rivers, lakes, falls and more. Chief Executive Officer, Steamboat Springs Chamber

PICTURE YOURSELF...

Driving through autumn colors in the refreshing mountain air.

Photo by NOAH WETZEL

Autumn colors span the landscape on Buffalo Pass.

TOUR

Aspen meadows line County Road 129 in North Routt County, and Hahns Peak looms in the distance.

Scenic Drives

Tour Northwest Colorado from the comfort of your car, with until you reach Yampa. Then take Routt County Road 17 from

Steamboat Springs as your base of operations. Take your pick downtown Yampa. The Flat Tops Scenic Byway connects the from these five drives to witness the vibrant beauty of Colorado towns of Yampa to the east and Meeker to the west, with a summer, or the emergence of red and gold leaves in autumn. scenic 3-hour drive. Pass remote ranchland, old mines and

Before You Go: Stock up on supplies here in Steamboat logging operations along the drive, as well as ample camping Springs – many local shops and outfitters offer curbside pick-up. opportunities like Trappers or Chapman campgrounds. Accessed Check www.steamboatchamber.com/shop-local/ to stay updated via a 6-mile detour near the middle of the byway, Trapper’s Lake on what’s currently available. is the third-largest natural lake in the state, and the views alone Drive 1: BUFFALO PASS make it an essential stop. Make sure to gas up in Yampa, as there is nowhere else to fill up Just a few minutes from downtown once on the byway. Considered Steamboat Springs, Buffalo one of the top drives in the Pass provides rugged access to state during fall. incredible views. “Buff” is reached via County Road 36 to National Forest Road 60. With about a Drive 5: STEAMBOAT 4,000-foot elevation gain, this primitive dirt road passes through colorful aspen groves and offers epic views of the Yampa Valley on SPRINGS TO FORT COLLINS ROAD TRIP the approximately 11-mile journey This trek highlights Northern from the base to Summit Lake Colorado’s remote beauty, while Campground. Many pullouts along passing through Rabbit Ears the way offer ample opportunity Pass, Walden, Cameron Pass to stretch your legs and snap and Poudre Canyon. photos. Though the road is in good condition at lower elevations, terrain gets rough for the upper third of the climb – high-clearance vehicles are recommended. Before You Go: Make sure to check the current coronavirus updates for each county you’ll pass through: Jackson County (www.jacksoncountycogov.com) Drive 2: STAGECOACH LOOP Rabbit Ears Peak, found atop Rabbit Ears Pass, is one of the most iconic sights along U.S. 40. and Larimer County (www.larimer.org). Just south of Steamboat, this meandering drive provides spectacular views of ranchland and aspen forests and passes through the town of Oak Creek. Heading south from Steamboat on Colorado 131, take a left through Stagecoach on County Road 14. This road passes Stagecoach State Park, where you can view wildlife, enjoy scenery and watch people having fun on the water. When you return to Colorado 131, take a right and head through Oak Creek and back to Steamboat. The Route: 1. Head southeast of Steamboat on U.S. 40 over Rabbit Ears Pass, which offers many viewing points to see sprawling ranchland, lakes and fall colors. It is also the access point for Muddy Pass, which – despite the name – provides excellent photo opportunities. 2. At the opposite side of Rabbit Ears Pass, take a left on Colorado 14 and drive through North Park. View fields of sage and prairie grass, cattle ranches and abandoned cabins before reaching the town of Walden. Drive 3: NORTH ROUTT COUNTY For fall-color viewing, North Routt may be your best option in the county. Heading out of town on Elk River Road, pass wideopen ranchland before stopping for homemade goodies at the Clark Store. As you get farther from town, you’ll pass Steamboat Lake, a recreation area with unparalleled views of nearby Hahns Peak. If the drive makes you hungry, grab a bite to eat at Hahns Peak Café or the Hahns Peak Roadhouse. 3. 4. 5. Stop in Walden for lunch at the River Rock Café on Main Street. Check out Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge, a wildlife habitat a few miles past town on Colorado 14. Located in an intermountain glacial basin, the refuge is home to hundreds of species of plants and animals. Continue southeast from Walden, through lush wetlands and past meandering streams, toward Cameron Pass. This drive is an opportunity to take in backcountry vistas and views of the Medicine Bow and Never Summer Mountains. Colorado 14 continues on to the Poudre Canyon, designated as one of Colorado’s Scenic Byways. Passing the town of Kinikinik, watch fly fishers, rafters Drive 4: FLAT TOPS TRAIL SCENIC BYWAY The town of Yampa affords access to the 82-mile Flat Tops Wilderness Area Scenic Byway via Dunkley Pass and Ripple 6. and paddleboarders play on the Cache la Poudre River. Also take in views of Poudre Falls, a set of three falls that are easily spotted from the highway. Finish the trip in Fort Collins, where you can experience the outdoors at nearly 50 nearby Natural Areas. With over 28 square miles of grassland, trails, nature-viewing spots and cultural resources, Soapstone Prairie Natural Area is a popular stop near Creek Pass. Follow Colorado 131 south 30 miles from Steamboat town. It is also home to herds of American bison, which were reintroduced in 2015.