Beat the Heat This Summer in Steamboat Springs
If you’re looking to escape the oppressive summer heat, Steamboat Springs offers a balmy summer escape with plenty of opportunities to cool off. This charming mountain town is renowned for its diverse natural beauty, encompassing lush forests, serene lakes, and the iconic Yampa River, where shady spots and crystal clear waters enable you to hide from the sun.
Whether you’re seeking leisurely picnic spots, air-conditioned restaurants for a gourmet meal, or adventurous escapades in the great outdoors, Steamboat Springs has it all. With a welcoming local community eager to share their slice of paradise, Steamboat Springs is an idyllic summer haven to beat the heat and embrace nature’s splendor.
Here at The Astrid, we’re passionate about making your next trip to Steamboat Springs truly unforgettable. Staying indoors isn’t an option when Steamboat has so much to explore! That’s why we’ve curated this list of the very best ways to beat the heat this summer, without sacrificing your sense of adventure.
Tubing on the Yampa River
If you’re looking for a relaxing activity where all your worries can simply drift away, then tubing down the Yampa River is the perfect activity for you.
As the river lazily winds through Steamboat, you can rest gently on a donut-shaped inner tube that will carry your body smoothly along the water. With each gentle ripple along the water’s surface, you’ll be peacefully rocked from within the comfort of your tube. You’ll feel so tranquil as you take in the luscious surroundings, as the gentle thrum of rushing water fills your ears.
Just down 13th street bridge is a secluded swimming area named the Yampa River’s D-Hole, which is a particularly wonderful spot for slow-paced tubing. This quiet section of the river is well worth the extra time it will take you to get there.
Sit in the Shade at Spring Creek Park
Steamboat Springs, with its iconic aspen trees, is never short on a shady spot to shelter from the sun. The enchanting Spring Creek Park boasts towering trees, picnic tables, and an inviting log gazebo, where you can enjoy a tasty lunch on a sunny summer day.
If you’d like to bring your dog with you, Spring Creek Park is the perfect place to make unforgettable memories with your four-legged friend. The Spring Creek hiking trail offers easy to moderate terrain, leading to a delightful dog park complete with a shallow pond for canine exploration and play. With its fishing pond and picturesque trails, it’s the ideal spot for leisurely afternoons in the shade.
Boating and Boarding at Steamboat Lake Marina
One of the best ways to beat the heat in Steamboat Springs is to head to Steamboat Lake Marina and rent a pontoon boat. Surrounded by gently rippling water, the breeze in your hair, and the canopy of the pontoon boat protecting you from the sun, you’re in for a truly relaxing experience.
The pontoon boats are ideal for a picnic on the lake, thanks to onboard grills and spacious decks accommodating up to 10, 12, or 15 guests depending on the boat. Boat rentals can be for just the morning, afternoon, or a whole day, guaranteeing you plenty of time to relax and enjoy your picnic.
Steamboat Lake Marina also offers a fleet of HALA stand-up paddle boards (SUPs) in various sizes, catering to all skill levels. If you’d like the reassurance of a seat, opt to rent one of the marina’s single or double kayaks for a leisurely glide across the lake.
A Leisurely Walk on the Yampa River Core Trail
A hot summer day doesn’t limit your opportunities for adventure in Steamboat Springs. For a relaxed stroll with plenty of shade, we recommend the Yampa River Core Trail: Rotary Park North to Trail End. Spanning 7.5 miles of paved, multi-use bliss through Steamboat Springs, this trail offers a picturesque journey along the Yampa River.
As the heartstring of Steamboat, the Core Trail weaves the town together, inviting all ages to revel in the outdoors. To locals, this is more than a simple path. It’s a passage through the town’s very being, connecting iconic parks and scenic locations for you to explore.
If accessibility is important for you, this trail ranges from six to 14 feet wide, and is mostly concrete with some wooden bridges. Handrails and edge barriers ensure safety, although there are two moderately steep downhill sections that may require assistance. Designated parking spots with access aisles are available at key points along the trail, ensuring ease for wheelchair, mobility equipment, or stroller users.
Skating at Howelsen Ice Arena
If the summer sun has you missing Steamboat’s winter season, head to Howelsen Ice Arena to cool off and skate to your heart’s content.
Howelsen Ice Arena is an Olympic size rink offering a broad range of skating programs, from ice hockey to figure skating. Visitors can choose from a selection of classes and public drop-in sessions, suitable for children as young as four years old.
Howelsen Ice Arena also offers a completely unique ice rink experience – bumper cars. Children as young as three years old, and their families, load into LED-lit bumper cars for a nostalgic fairground ride experience… but with more ice!
Delicious Ice Cream at Lyon’s Corner Drug & Soda Fountain
Summer vacations and ice cream are completely inseparable. There’s no better way to cool off on a hot day than with an ice cold sweet treat.
Relive your teenage memories at Lyons Corner Drugs for classic ice cream sundaes and reto-style milkshakes, guaranteed to fill you with nostalgia. Cool off from the sun to the sound of a vintage jukebox machine, whilst indulging in the best soft serve this side of the Rocky Mountains.
From within the walls of this iconic Steamboat pharmacy, you’ll be transported back to a simpler time, when conversation was full of laughter – and not a screen in sight!
Your Next Summer Vacation in Steamboat Springs
The summer months in Steamboat Springs offer just as much excitement and adventure as the winter. From lazy days floating across beautiful lakes, to peaceful hiking trails with plenty of benches to sit and enjoy the scenery, this is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing summer retreat.
Here at The Astrid, we’re passionate about enabling you to make the most of Steamboat Springs in every season. That’s why we like to keep our community up to date with the latest in Steamboat news, activities, and opportunities for adventure.
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