Each place checked against its official site in November 2026
Ski areas
Steamboat Resort
The town's ski resort, known for tree skiing, with a snowsports school and night skiing served by the Christie Peak Express. In summer the Steamboat Gondola carries foot passengers, there are more than 50 miles of hiking and biking trails, and the bike park has 2,200 vertical feet of downhill trails.
- Best for:
- Winter ski days and summer gondola and bike days
- When:
- Opening and closing dates and summer lift operations were not confirmed from the resort's own site. Check steamboat.com for current dates and conditions.
- Where:
- Mount Werner base area, Steamboat Springs
Howelsen Hill Ski Area
A city-owned ski area in Steamboat Springs, in operation since 1915 and described by the city as Colorado's oldest continuously operated ski area. It has North America's largest natural ski jumping complex, a Nordic center and an adult day lift ticket listed at $55 for 2026/27.
- Best for:
- A low-key local ski day or a look at ski jumping history
- When:
- Scheduled to open Saturday, November 28, 2026, conditions permitting, and to run through March 28, 2027. Closed December 25. Hours vary by day.
- Where:
- 845 Howelsen Parkway, Steamboat Springs
Hot springs
Strawberry Park Hot Springs
Natural thermal pools with stone masonry in Routt National Forest, open 365 days a year. Admission is $30 for adults and $20 for ages 17 and under, cash only, and every visit needs a 2-hour reservation. The pools turn clothing-optional after dark and minors are not allowed then. There is no cell service or Wi-Fi, and pets are not allowed.
- Best for:
- A quiet soak outside town, with a shuttle if you would rather not drive the dirt road
- When:
- From November 1 to May 1, Routt County rules require 4WD with snow tires or chains on the unpaved road, or a shuttle. Reservations open 30 days ahead.
- Where:
- 44200 County Road 36, Steamboat Springs
Old Town Hot Springs
A nonprofit downtown facility with nine mineral pools and a cold plunge, plus water slides, lap swimming, a gym and a climbing wall. No reservation is needed. A day pass is $35 for adults, $32 for seniors and $27 for ages 3 to 14.
- Best for:
- A walk-in soak downtown after a hike or ski day
- When:
- Open every day except Christmas and Thanksgiving. Hours are 6 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and 7 AM to 9 PM on weekends, and pools close 15 minutes before closing.
- Where:
- 136 Lincoln Avenue, Steamboat Springs
Trails
Fish Creek Falls
A waterfall of about 280 feet four miles from downtown. A quarter-mile paved, wheelchair accessible path leads to an overlook, a dirt path goes to the bridge at the base, and the trail continues 2.5 miles to a second waterfall and 6.5 miles to Long Lake. The chamber lists a $5 vehicle day-use fee, cash or check.
- Best for:
- An easy waterfall walk or a longer hike into Routt National Forest
- When:
- Open year round, 6 AM to 10 PM, and busiest at midday. Spring runoff is the heaviest flow. In winter, ice climbers and snowshoers use the area, so expect snow and ice on the trail.
- Where:
- 34165 Fish Creek Falls Road, Steamboat Springs
Emerald Mountain Trails
City-owned land with over 24 miles of non-motorized multi-use trails. The trails carry two-way traffic for walkers, bikers and riders on horseback. The city asks that dogs be leashed on the whole trail system.
- Best for:
- Hikers and mountain bikers who want trails close to town
- When:
- Trail conditions and open or closed status change with weather and season. The city's interactive trails map lists current status.
- Where:
- Emerald Mountain, Steamboat Springs
Spring Creek Trail
A 5.2-mile multi-use trail popular with hikers and bikers. Parking is at East Maple Street and Amethyst Street, and the first half mile runs beside Routt County Road 34, where you share the road with vehicles and bicycles.
- Best for:
- A hike or ride that starts on the edge of town
- When:
- Check the city trails map for current open or closed status.
- Where:
- East Maple Street and Amethyst Street, Steamboat Springs
Yampa River Core Trail
A 7.5-mile paved multi-use path along the Yampa River through town. It passes the Yampa River Botanic Park, the Howelsen rodeo grounds and the Charlie's Hole standing wave behind the library, and it gives fishing access along the river.
- Best for:
- A flat walk or ride that links downtown parks
- When:
- Snow and ice can cover the path in winter.
- Where:
- Through downtown Steamboat Springs
Parks
Steamboat Lake State Park
A 2,820-acre state park about 25 miles north of Steamboat Springs, with Hahns Peak as a backdrop. It has 35.6 miles of trails, a full-service marina, a sandy beach and shoreline fishing. To get there, drive west 2 miles on US 40, then north 25 miles on County Road 129.
- Best for:
- Lake and fishing days away from town
- When:
- As of November 1, camper service buildings, flushable toilets and water spigots are closed for the season, and the lake is closed to boating. Hand launching of non-motorized craft is at your own risk until the lake freezes. Day use areas stay open until winter conditions close them.
- Where:
- County Road 129, Clark
Yampa River Botanic Park
A six-acre garden with ponds, berms, sculpture and 70 gardens, opened in 1995 on a former horse pasture. Admission is free and donations are welcome. Pets are not permitted.
- Best for:
- A free, quiet stop on the Core Trail
- When:
- Open dawn to dusk daily during the season. It closes for winter once snow is not melting from the paths, so it may already be closed.
- Where:
- 1000 Pamela Lane, Steamboat Springs
Museums and attractions
Steamboat Springs History Museum
The local history museum, with exhibits that include Ski Town USA, a history of winter sports in Steamboat. Hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 11 AM to 5 PM. Adults pay $6, seniors $5 and children 6 to 12 $2, and children under 6 are free.
- Best for:
- A rainy-day or after-ski hour of local history
- When:
- Closed Sundays, Mondays and major national holidays.
- Where:
- 800 Oak Street, Steamboat Springs
Tube Howelsen
Snow tubing on the slopes of Howelsen Hill. Sessions are one hour at $40 per rider, and reservations open up to 30 days ahead. The hill is closed for grooming from 2 to 3 PM daily.
- Best for:
- Families with kids who want a winter hour on the hill
- When:
- Winter only and weather dependent. The city lists it as closed right now. Daily hours are 10 AM to 6 PM, with the last session at 5 PM.
- Where:
- 845 Howelsen Parkway, Steamboat Springs
Venues
Strings Music Festival Pavilion
The live music pavilion of the Strings Music Festival. The current listings run through April 2027 and include Steamboat Symphony Orchestra holiday concerts on December 4 and 5 and a December 17 bluegrass night.
- Best for:
- A concert night in winter
- When:
- Check the event calendar for dates and tickets.
- Where:
- 900 Strings Road, Steamboat Springs
Howelsen Rodeo Grounds
Home of the Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series in the Brent Romick Arena. Rodeos are typically held every Friday and Saturday night in summer, plus a July 4 show, from 7:30 to 10 PM. A Western BBQ dinner is sold from 6 PM.
- Best for:
- A summer night out with kids or out-of-town guests
- When:
- Summer only. There are no Pro Rodeo Series events at this time of year.
- Where:
- 401 Howelsen Parkway, Steamboat Springs
Tours
Sweet Pea Tours Hot Springs Shuttle
A shuttle to Strawberry Park Hot Springs that bundles round-trip transport, admission and the required reservation. Some trips are adults only at 4 PM and earlier trips are all ages. Strawberry Park lists it as one of two shuttle providers.
- Best for:
- Reaching Strawberry Park without driving the unpaved road in winter
- When:
- Book through the shuttle company, not the hot springs. Pickup and return times differ from the hot springs reservation times.
- Where:
- Pickups in Steamboat Springs
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