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Steamboat is best known for its world-famous tree skiing and lighter-than-air powder, but in the summertime, it’s all about the river. The Yampa River literally does run right through it, meandering right through downtown Steamboat, where the crystal-clear waters are easily accessible for a wide variety of activities, whether it’s tubing on a lazy summer day or fishing for Colorado’s famous rainbow trout.

The section of the Yampa River that runs through downtown begins at River Creek Park, which is near the Walton Creek Road and Highway 40 intersection just south of Steamboat Springs, and ends at the Steamboat Stockbridge Transit Center, approximately four miles downriver. This section is known for its relatively tame and playful whitewater (Class I-II+) and numerous put-in/take-out opportunities along the paved Core Trail. Ample rainbow and brown trout with an occasional Colorado Cutthroat make it a great spot for fishing. Boaters, fishermen, tubers, swimmers, bikers, walkers, picnickers, bird watchers, and people of all ages enjoy this stretch of river. As the river passes its peak runoff and recedes by mid-summer, the Yampa River in downtown Steamboat Springs is perfect for easy river recreation for the whole family.

Here’s our guide to the many ways to enjoy the Yampa River all summer long.

Row, row, row your boat: kayaking
Steamboat has a long tradition of kayaking on the Yampa. There are four major rapids on the Steamboat Town Run. The first is the Ambulance Hole, or A-Hole, located about 100 meters downstream from Backdoor Sports, directly adjacent to the Ambulance Barn at the footbridge over the Yampa River between 10th and 9th Street. Shortly after the A-Hole is the Double Z wave, a river-wide feature with surfable waves on either side of a center rock pile. At higher flows, kayakers can post up on the Double Z wave for a nice front surf.

Charlie’s Hole, or C-Hole, is the next wave, located directly adjacent to the Bud Werner Memorial Library at the 13th Street Bridge. This river feature was created in the mid-2000’s and is the hub of boating activity on the river. At high water, this is the spot in NW Colorado for kayaking and raft surfing. Once high water subsides, the C-Hole becomes the town’s most popular river beach, great for families who want to have a picnic and go swimming in the deep pool or boogie board the hole. After the Charlie’s Hole, you can expect to reach the last notable river feature (and the next letter in the alphabet), the D-Hole. The D-Hole is a large lateral wave spreading from river-right to river-left, so the easiest way through this rapid is on the river-left side, where the lateral wave eventually collapses and flushes itself out. For kayak rentals and guided tours, check out Mountain Sports Kayak School.

Floating through life: rafting and tubing
If it’s whitewater rafting you’re after, the kayak waves and seasonal timing are going to apply, and your best bet for a true whitewater adventure without having to deal with the hassle of logistics (towing the raft, setting up a shuttle from the take-out) is to check out a local outfitter like Colorado River Guides who offers whitewater rafting trips in the Steamboat Springs and Vail areas.

Once the water recedes in mid-to-late summer, it’s fun in the sun for people of all ages, and almost any floatation device, be it an inner tube or cheap raft from Walmart, will do the trick. It’s not uncommon to see huge groups with various devices all tied together, imbibing and giggling all the way downstream. Inner tube rentals are available at Backdoor Sports. Depending on where you put in, you may want to organize a shuttle. The entire downtown Steamboat run takes anywhere from 2-4 hours.

Get up, stand up: paddleboarding
Paddleboarding is easy to learn, it’s a great workout for your core and arms, and it’s a fun way to explore the river. Hone your skills and get comfortable on one of Steamboat’s surrounding lakes before hitting the whitewater of the Yampa for a fun adventure through town, especially during early to midsummer when the water is slower. Better yet, swing by the HalaGear showroom for SUP board and accessory rentals direct from the source, where boards specifically designed for use on rivers and inspired by play on the Yampa River are right there on Yampa Street.

Getting hooked: Fly fishing the Yampa
One of the reasons fly fishermen flock to the Yampa River year-round is because there are miles of public water access all through town. This is rare in Colorado, where a lot of riverfront is privately-owned, and a private guiding company is the only way to gain access. On the Yampa, it’s possible to catch a world-class rainbow or brown trout right in the heart of downtown. No maps, access fees, private guides, or long drives required. Of course, you can always hire a guide, and some of the best can be found in Steamboat. Not to mention guides like Steamboat Flyfisher can get you some of that access to the less-fished, private waters. But if a quick fishing fix is on your Steamboat bucket list, then just mosey on down to the river, find a hole, and start casting. The best spots close to town are the holes in the river directly behind Yampa Street between Fifth and Ninth streets. Just be prepared for an audience: between the bikers and walkers on the Core Trail to the riverside diners, you’re bound to hear a few hoots and hollers from the peanut gallery.

 


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