Steamboat Springs is Full of Family Adventures
The kids are back in school and you want to make the most of the weekends by spending quality time together and creating amazing core memories. This is where the Fall family activities in Steamboat Springs come in handy – you’ll know exactly what to do so everyone has a great time!
Fall is the best time to get outdoors with your family in Steamboat. The days are cooler and it’s more comfortable to be outside almost all day – plus, the fresh, mountain air really does do wonders for the soul (and for the endless energy kids seem to have!).
Hiking Fish Creek Falls, biking along the Yampa River Core Trail, horseback riding through the Aspens, getting a game in at The Snow Bowl, or soaking in Old Town Hot Springs, there’s always an array of possibilities to enjoy.
When you make the weekend trek to enjoy the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains and dazzling waters of the area, we want to make sure you’ve got a list of Fall family activities in Steamboat Springs that everyone will love.
Outdoor Family Adventures
Yampa River Botanic Park
This 6-acre park is one of the most serene areas in Steamboat Springs. Full of colorful gardens, native trees, trickling ponds, and thought-provoking sculptures, spend the day meandering through the park and resting on one of the many benches and admiring the natural beauty of the town.
Open to visitors from May through October, Yampa River Botanic Park is home to several events, such as Guided Walking Tours and Social Gardening. Come get to know your Steamboat neighbors and fellow gardening enthusiasts.
Old Town Hot Springs
Located in the heart of downtown Steamboat Springs, Old Town Hot Springs is a family favorite that’s been a site of rejuvenation for over 100 years thanks to the Heart Spring which sources all the pools in the facility.
Kids and adults alike will love this site because of the unique activities it features: multiple Hot Springs spa pools, a family-friendly heated pool, and two 230-foot water slides.
Try one of the various fitness classes for all ages or join the Pumpkin Float on October 17, 2024. This Fall family activity in Steamboat Springs is sure to become a new tradition for you and your kids. The slides have varying running times, so make sure to check before you go.
Hiking and Mountain Biking
Hiking and mountain biking amongst the fall colors, are among our favorite activities here at The Astrid.
There are so many trails to choose from, each with its own style, that you could embark on a new path every day.
Visit stunning Fish Creek Falls and take a short hike to witness the clear, alpine water as it cascades 283 feet over the smooth rocks from Fish Creek Canyon.
Take your bike out on one of the scenic trails in the Buffalo Pass area to view the golden Aspens and the iconic Rabbit Ears Peak.
Prefer to stay in town and get some outdoor exercise? Walk or bike through town following the Yampa River Core Trail. This paved trail runs alongside the river, making it easily accessible for strollers or wheelchairs.
Horseback Riding
Introduce your kids to the authentic ranching way of life and give them a taste of the Western tradition that Steamboat Springs is famous for. As a true Western town, this is a Fall family activity in Steamboat Springs that sets it apart from all other destinations.
There are plenty of outfitters that can help you saddle up even if this is your first experience. The guides are fabulous when pointing out landmarks on the trail and are knowledgeable and professional in instructing you during your ride.
Try Del’s Triangle 3 Ranch for horseback rides, buggy tours, and hunt camps. They offer guided rides all year, including in the winter so you can trek through the silent Aspen groves and admire winter’s magic on horseback.
Saddleback Ranch offers guided horseback riding tours out of their working 8,000-acre cattle ranch. The options are endless at this ranch, from wagon rides and cattle drives in the summer, to snow tubing and snowmobiling in the winter.
Fishing
Fly fishing on the Yampa River is a favorite local pastime. The peaceful river offers miles of public access in town as you cast your line for rainbow and brown trout.
Fishing is a year-round activity in Steamboat Springs with a variety of locations, fish species, and guided tours available. Share the tranquility of this sport with your kids or grandkids while you whisper about life’s little moments (so you don’t scare away the fish!).
Golf Courses
Golfing in the Fall provides the perfect setting for viewing the golden Aspen groves, babbling brooks, and nearby wildlife while on the course.
Steamboat Springs offers three courses – two championship courses and a family-oriented one. Choose from Haymaker Golf Club, a sustainability-focused course spread over 233 acres, Rollingstone Ranch Golf Course, an 18-hole course along Fish Creek, or Steamboat Golf Club, a family-friendly, 9-hole designed for a relaxing game.
Hot Air Ballooning
The view of the Fall leaves is magnificent from the ground. Just imagine what it’s like from a bird’s eye view. This is one of the Fall family activities in Steamboat Springs that you don’t want to miss.
Gliding through the clouds and gazing down at the palette of warm hues below is a sensation like no other. The stillness and quiet of being in the air on a hot air balloon is an experience you won’t soon forget.
Wild West Hot Air Ballooning offers early morning flights over Hahn’s Peak and the Flat Top Mountains allowing you and your family the opportunity to marvel at the Fall colors and local wildlife from a vantage point most people don’t experience.
Indoor Family Fun
Snow Bowl
Get a game in at the newly renovated Snow Bowl. This Steamboat Springs staple is a hub of events and activities throughout the year.
Featuring multiple bowling lanes, a full-service restaurant, and a spacious patio – this is more than a bowling alley, it’s a community center.
Bud Werner Memorial Library
Named after the beloved local Olympic skier, Wallace “Buddy” Werner, Bud Werner Memorial Library is home to over 80,000 volumes of books, videos, and music.
It has two floors that serve as a community center and sanctuary. Featuring daily children’s programs, a teen space, a quiet study area, and a coffee bar, the library is a home away from home for many patrons.
With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Soda Creek and the Yampa River, the library has blended spots of serenity with interactive creation stations.
Steamboat Climbing Collective
Serving climbers of all ages and abilities, the Steamboat Climbing Collective offers indoor climbing focusing on fun, education, and personal empowerment. The gym features Bouldering Walls at varying heights and steepness, 22-foot Top Rope Walls, a Kilter Board, Campus Board, and kid’s climbing area with a slide.
Starting at 2.5 years, children can learn basic climbing skills through group or private classes. There are also day passes available and equipment rentals on site.
Steamboat Art Museum
The Steamboat Art Museum is the only one in the region and prides itself on presenting exceptional exhibits of living master artists relevant to Western heritage.
The museum hosts a variety of educational events including the First Friday ArtWalk hosted on the first Friday of each month. A current exhibit features the Yampa Valley Fall Splendor through paintings of landmark ranches, alpine and river vistas, historic towns, and exclusive painting sites.
For more events and art classes, Steamboat Creates offers a full schedule of events and programs from painting to poetry, and more.
Tread of Pioneers Museum
The Tread of Pioneers Museum is housed in a 1901 Victorian home and features interactive exhibits featuring the local and regional history of Native Americans, skiing, agriculture, pioneer settlement, and a full Western Heritage Exhibit.
Current exhibits are: “Ute Knowledge: Colorado’s Original Science, Technology, Engineering and Math”, and “Pioneer Kids hands-On Discovery Exhibit”.
Take part in the History Happy Hour, taking place the first Tuesday of each month. Pairing craft beer and whiskey with the rowdy and raucous side of Routt County and Western history.
Restaurants
There is no shortage of delicious food in Steamboat Springs.
Have a refined palate? Indulge in the annual Restaurant Week where local establishments offer their finest dishes for your dining pleasure. Taking place October 5 – October 12, 2024, each restaurant has designed a special menu featuring seasonal fare and local meat and produce.
Are you a beer aficionado? Walk or bike the Brew Trail and sample Steamboat’s own craft beer and spirits alongside some of the best comfort food and beer pairings in Colorado. This trail takes you through the heart of Steamboat Springs via the Yampa River Core Trail where you can enjoy the brilliant Fall colors along the way. The kids will love the fresh wood-oven pizza at Mountain Tap and the campfire and slides at Mythology.
Enjoy unique culinary creations and crave a date night while you’re here? Join the event of the season at the Steamboat Food and Wine Festival. With events spanning October 3 – October 5, 2024, there is something for everyone. Choose from Morning Yoga and Mocktails or a Surf, Turf, and Tequila Dinner, then take part in the culminating event: The Grand Tasting on the Torian Plum Lawn.
Family Fun is Waiting for You in Steamboat Springs
Outdoor adventures are the name of the game here in The ‘Boat, but when the weather doesn’t cooperate, like some of the afternoon lightning storms, heading indoors to keep the fun going is a smart move. There are plenty of Fall family activities in Steamboat Springs to keep everyone entertained.
The town takes great pride in its Western culture and traditions and loves sharing its knowledge with other locals, and tourists alike. Creating a family-friendly environment is a top priority for everyone at The Astrid Steamboat Springs.
We truly believe that sharing experiences forges bonds that can never be broken. We want you to build a legacy for your children, and would love to help you achieve that goal – with a residence you can call home.
The luxury you’ve been waiting for in Steamboat Springs is coming; we’re breaking ground on this ambitious project in 2025. To find out more, simply provide us with your name and email address. By doing so, you’ll be invited to join our exclusive mailing list. As part of this list, you’ll gain access to insider information, behind-the-scenes content, and a highly personalized email experience reserved only for members of The Astrid community.
