Our Blog


Steamboat has long been associated with Rabbit Ears, the dramatic mountain pass that is the gateway to the Yampa Valley and an unforgettable entrance into the town as Highway 40 makes its steep descent into downtown. There’s also the actual rabbit ears, a rock formation for which the eponymous pass was named.

This is just one of Steamboat’s many landmarks, the unique sights and geography that make up the fabric of the majestic Yampa Valley. Some you may have heard of, some maybe not. Either way, our list is a great starting point for a bucket list of must-see destinations in the area.

Rabbit Ears
Where Highway 40 straddles the Continental Divide, Rabbit Ears Peak is visible to drivers from the east side of the pass. The basalt rock formation is known, of course, for its shape that looks like two rabbit ears—that is until recently when the tip of one of the rabbit ears appears to have broken, leaving behind a more-floppy-looking version of the original structure. In the winter, Rabbit Ears Pass is a popular playground for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, offering a vast network of trails to explore. In the summer, some of the best and most extensive mountain bike trails in the state offer opportunity for bikers to connect longer routes for big distance rides at high elevation with epic views. Despite the loss of half an ear, Rabbit Ears remains an iconic and welcome sight, a sign that your arrival in Steamboat is (almost) around the corner.

Rabbit Ears

Sleeping Giant
If the Rabbit Ears welcomes you into Steamboat, the mountain known as Sleeping Giant (officially called Elk Mountain) guards the experience at the west end of town, though he is visible from many vantage points throughout the valley floor. Named for the likeness to an actual giant, head poking out from under a blanket draped over his form, there is much folklore surrounding this landmark. Legend has it that The Sleeping Giant was a sacred place to the Ute Indians. When whites began to settle here, the Utes went out and hunted all the rattlesnakes in the valley and set them loose on Sleeping Giant to protect him from outsiders. Fiction or fact, Sleeping Giant cannot be hiked because of all the rattlesnakes that occupy the mountain to this day.

Sleeping Giant

The Arnold Barn
With one of the most storied histories of any structure in Steamboat, The Arnold Barn is a symbol of the town’s ranching history and a reminder of its humble roots as an isolated agriculture community than the bustling resort town it is today. Originally a dairy barn, it was built in 1928 at the base of Mt. Warner by Walter Arnold, a local farmer who raised cows, sheep, chicken, oats and hay. It was purchased by the Storm Mountain Ski Corporation in 1961 and became famous when it was used as a backdrop for advertising photos for the Steamboat Ski Area. When the barn fell into disarray, it was restored by a local non-profit, Save Arnold Barn, and relocated in 2018 to the intersection of Mt. Werner Road and Circle where visitors to the ski resort are welcomed by this iconic relic of Steamboat’s storied history.

Arnold Barn

Howelsen Hill
Here’s an interesting bit of trivia to drop at the next cocktail party: Howelsen Hill is the oldest contiguous ski area in the United States and has been operating since 1915. It is also the site of the largest natural ski jumping site in North America and is still home to the world-renowned Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, which has groomed more Winter Olympic athletes than any other program in the country. Kids train in a variety of disciplines including alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, freestyle and snowboarding. The ski area is open to the public and offers free skiing every Sunday to encourage participation in what has become a cost-prohibitive sport for many. In the summer, kids love the alpine slide, which provides the whole family with some good old fashioned fun. An extensive network of prime mountain bike trails on what is also known as Emerald Mountain is part of what has designated Steamboat as Ski Town USA but also as Bike Town USA.

Base of Howelsen Hill

The Hot Springs
The story goes that Steamboat Springs was named in the early 1800s when French trappers thought they heard the chugging sound of a steamboat’s steam engine. The sound turned out to be a natural mineral spring, to be named the Steamboat Spring. Today, Steamboat is still known for its natural hot springs. Families flock to the Old Town Hot Springs located smack in the middle of downtown Steamboat for its large pools, massive water slide, and public recreation center. For a more peaceful, natural setting, The Strawberry Park Hot Springs are natural, mineral fed springs with fully developed stone pools along a mountain creek and offer facilities onsite including bathrooms, changing rooms, spa and massage services, and cabin-style lodging.

Strawberry Park Hot Springs

Downtown Steamboat
One thing people love about Steamboat is that it was a town long before it became a world-class resort, and the sense of history and community still remains today, which is what lends the town its authentic charm. That’s especially evident in The Steamboat Springs Downtown Historic District, which was established in 1884 and still has provided goods and services for over 127 years. Today, downtown Steamboat is known for its world-renowned restaurants, shops, galleries, parks, and access to the Yampa River. It may be the only town in the U.S. where you can have lunch on the river and have a view of the ski jump.

Downtown Steamboat

Mt. Werner
When locals refer to Mt Werner, they are talking about the ski area. In fact, Steamboat ski area is actually comprised of an entire mountain range known as Mt. Werner, and includes Mount Werner, Storm Peak, Sunshine Peak, Thunderhead Peak, Pioneer Ridge, and Christie Peak. Formerly known as Storm Mountain, Mt Werner was renamed in 1964 in honor of skier Buddy Werner, an Olympian from Steamboat who was killed in an avalanche in Switzerland the same year. As far as landmarks go, this one is a can’t-miss—it’s visible from the east almost anywhere on the valley floor, and its wide, sprawling ski runs make it unmistakable and iconic.

Mt. Werner – Steamboat Resort

Fish Creek Falls
Most people who visit Steamboat Springs have heard of Fish Creek Falls. It tops the list of Steamboat’s best-loved places, and for good reason. Located just four miles east of downtown, the 283-foot waterfall crashes dramatically into the pools below. Named by early pioneers for the abundant fish in the creek, these falls inspired the original 1937 Coors beer can (at least until Melton Falls, near Marble, replaced it in 1978). With easy access to the falls on a quarter-mile handicap accessible hike, it’s a no-brainer for visitors of all ages.

Fish Creek Falls

Buffalo Pass
Located just minutes from downtown Steamboat, Buffalo Pass is a 15-mile dirt road that provides access to a vast wilderness playground. In the summer, there’s camping, hiking, and an extensive network of mountain bike trails that can connect to other nearby areas such as Fish Creek Falls and Rabbit Ears Pass. Come winter it’s the go-to for snowmobiling and backcountry skiing (the pass is closed to motorized vehicles December 1 – June 30 so you’re either skinning up or bringing the snowmobiles). The road offers spectacular views of the Yampa and North Park valleys below, multiple alpine lakes within walking distance, and access to the Mount Zirkel Wilderness. It’s a must for leaf peepers in the fall and a gateway to the vast wilderness the Yampa Valley has to offer.

Buffalo Pass

Stagecoach State Park
For a mountain town to have a beach is the kind of added bonus most visitors to Steamboat might not expect, at least until they get a chance to visit Stagecoach Reservoir. Sure, it’s just a small stretch of lake sand (not quite as soft as the coastal variety), but it’ll do the trick for a day of fun on the water (or reserve one of the four electrical campsites for a more extended stay). Whether that’s cruising out on a motorized boat or exploring on a kayak or paddleboard, this state park provides a great place to get on the water in the middle of the Rockies. In the winter, it’s quiet and serene with cross-country skiing and snowshoeing—a great getaway from your getaway!

Stagecoach Lake

Hahn’s Peak
Hahns Peak was named after Joseph Hahn, a gold miner who came to the area in the 1860s. Located 30 miles outside of Steamboat, Hahn’s Peak beckons to be explored. It can be seen from miles away, the volcanic peak standing alone above the wide-open valley below. The views from the top are as vast as any you’ll find in Northwest Colorado, spanning as far north as the Wyoming border and south to Steamboat with the Park Range visible to the east. The best part is the 3.8-mile out-and-back hike to the summit is relatively easy and makes it one of the most popular in the area.

Hahn’s Peak

Flat Tops
Located in South Routt County, the Flat Top Mountain Range is unmistakable for its distinct geography comprised of flat-topped volcanic cliffs that yield to alpine tundra at elevations of about 10,000 feet. Here you’ll find hundreds of lakes and ponds above the flat-topped cliffs, almost 100 miles of fishable streams, and over 160 miles of trails. This makes it ideal for multi-day excursions for backpacking and hunting in the summer and snowmobiling in the winter. The Flat Tops is Colorado’s second largest wilderness area and is one of the unique vistas that makes Steamboat special.

Flat Tops Wilderness

Zirkel Wilderness
With over 160,000 acres of preserved wilderness, the Zirkels (as locals like to refer to it) was one of the original areas protected by the 1964 Wilderness Act. The area is named for Mt Zirkel, the highest peak in the range at 12,180 feet (which was named after the German geologist Ferdinand Zirkel). This massive expanse straddles the Continental Divide with over 70 lakes and 15 peaks over 12,000 feet. Explore the area on 150 miles of trails including the Zirkel Circle, a 10.4-mile loop that is on the bucket list of every local with a pair of hiking shoes and the desire to claim it.

Zirkel Wilderness

 


SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER