We have a free place to stay so we're planning a short notice trip to Steamboat Springs in a couple of weeks.

Other than a trip to Estes and RMNP a couple years back we generally have only done southern CO as a family so we don't know anything about the area.

We're interested in hiking, seeing wildlife, ATV/jeep trails, rafting, and maybe a little fishing. And some good restaurants.

Any info is appreciated. We'll be there 5-6 days.

I think Trappers Lake is well worth the drive and hike. You can also fish in the lake from the bank or wade out. It is a great place to get away from the crowds around SS. Pagoda Peak is another beautiful hike away from crowds. Good chance you will see bear, elk or moose.

I live in Meeker, so not sure about rafting and places to eat, but the drive from SS to Trappers is amazing and well worth it.

Slavonia Trailhead in Clark is my favorite hike. I'm biased though as our place is in Clark.

Gore Canyon in Kremmling (about an hour away) is one of the better white water rafting trips in Colorado. They don't start running until around 8/4, so not sure if that will fit your timeline or not. It's not as extreme as what they make it out to be, but it is the only one that makes sure you can swim before they will let you do it.

https://coloradorafting.com/river-trips/colorado-river-rafting/gore-canyon/

Be sure to call about rafting. We are in a drought this year so water levels and speed may be a factor. The Yampa River is closed to commercial fishing and a voluntary recreation closure currently. If you want fishing, I can recommend some hikes to alpine lakes that hold lots of fish.

Hoyt Ag said:

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Be sure to call about rafting. We are in a drought this year so water levels and speed may be a factor. The Yampa River is closed to commercial fishing and a voluntary recreation closure currently. If you want fishing, I can recommend some hikes to alpine lakes that hold lots of fish.

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Please do! A hike, Alpine lake and fishing combo sounds pretty good to me.

It might be more driving than you want to do, but I only know these areas. I do not venture to SS much.

Trappers Lake looks to be 2-2.5 hours from SS. But in my opinion, it is worth it. There are incredible views and Trappers is a full day of fun in itself. On the Trappers Lake road, you have half a dozen hikes from 1-5 miles one way to alpine lakes that hold fish.

Big Fish Lake - around 6 miles roundtrip. Big lake, hard to find the fish, but a beautiful hike. Not that steep, more gradual.
Skinny Fish - Steep at parts. Lake has a ton of fish and can be fished with fly rod or spinner. The hike isnt all that pretty. Elk Lake just below Skinny Fish is a good one for brookies.
Anderson Resovoir - 1 mile or so, kinda steep but a short hike. Has decent fish, more for a fly rod than spinner fish.
Mirror Lake/Shamrock Lake- steep at parts, around 6 miles round trip. Mirror Lake is incredible and super fun to swim in. A fun day would be stop at Shamrock and fish a bit, go the next mile to Mirror and hike around, swim, eat lunch. Head back to Shamrock for a few more fish then head home.

Let me know if you need more clarity or help.

A few recommendations:

Breakfast:
Winonas - located on Main Street. Great breakfast (can be a wait)

Brunch/Lunch: Yampa Valley Kitchen - located in 9th street. Indoor and Outdoor seating. Great food and cocktails

Dinner:
Laundry - located on 11th street. Great shareable plates. Surprisingly had the best fried chicken I've ever eaten there.

Primrose - located downtown across from Yampa River. Great steaks and seafood.

Besame' - located on Main Street. Great place for Spanish Tapas.

Brick - really great brick oven pizzas, pastas and other

Backdoor Grill - Oak Street - great place for burgers

Activities -
Pearl Lake State Park - rent paddle boards, etc

Gondola Ride at the Ski Mountain - can pay to take the gondola to the top of the mountain. Some evenings they have live music. Great views.

Hiking - many many options. Even just in town along the Yampa Core Trail. Hawns Peak (a tough hike but cool views at the top), Flat Tops Wilderness area, Zirkle Wilderness area.

Floating - can rent tubes and float the Yampa River through town.

Fishing - Steamboat Flyfisher is a great flyshop located downtown on the river. They can set up fishing trips both on public and private water

Fish Creek Falls is in town and a good hike. There's a small little trail at the base, but it's 2 or 2 and a half miles with 1200 or 1300 feet climb in elevation to the top of the falls. Great views and you can pack a lunch to eat up on the rocks at the top of the falls.

Agree on breakfast at Winonas & dinner and Primrose.

For rafting, I'm assuming by then it'll only be the Colorado that's available from an outfitter right out of Steamboat. It'll be a slow/easy trip but I've done that one and it's pretty scenery for sure.

If you're into golf, I like Haymaker. Rollingstone Ranch is nice too but Haymaker is a more fun course to play imo. If you drive just out of town on Hwy 131 to County Road 18 you'll see Windwalker Ranch, a course owned by a bunch of billionaires/members of Augusta National as their own personal playground in Steamboat.

Spend a half or full day just walking around town.

Find a good spot for sunset views...they're spectacular as the light glows on the mountains.

Hoyt Ag said:

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Be sure to call about rafting. We are in a drought this year so water levels and speed may be a factor. The Yampa River is closed to commercial fishing and a voluntary recreation closure currently. If you want fishing, I can recommend some hikes to alpine lakes that hold lots of fish.

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Gore Canyon is one of the less drought sensitive trips as it is fed from a reservoir and there is a window when the flow rates are in the correct range. The window shifts a little based on water levels, but it isn't like most of the other trips. Also, August is usually a bit too late for any decent trips, except this one, which is always a late season trip.

It's an awesome town. Enjoy it.