Continental Divide Trail Coalition

Mountain Range

Steamboat Springs

Experience the Mountains Firsthand

Mountain Range

A Rocky Mountain destination in Northwest Colorado, Steamboat Springs is a year-round outdoor playground and a historic town where western heritage meets abundant adventure. From world-class skiing on Champagne Powder® in the winter months, Steamboat Springs has more Olympians than any other town in North America. Summers are filled with miles of single track, endless county roads, tubing the Yampa River and soaking in our famous hot springs, golfing among the peaks and valleys, and exploring the abundant lakes, rivers and streams that dot the landscape. Downtown Steamboat Springs pays tribute to its ranching roots with a renowned weekly rodeo, heritage shops and outfitters, and a culinary community that takes homegrown to new heights. Throughout the summer, Steamboat blooms with activity from Lincoln Avenue to the mountain base and beyond. Get up here and experience Colorado’s most authentic mountain town.

Mountain Range
Mountain Range
Mountain Range

Getting There

The closest international airport to Steamboat Springs is Denver International Airport (DIA), which is about 3 hours away via US-40 E and 1-70 E. The local airport is the Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN), which is about half an hour outside of town. In the winter it offers non-stop flights from several major airports around the country.

Getting Around

Steamboat Springs Transit
This free bus service offers riders transportation around town to downtown and ski resort destinations.

Ten things to do in Steamboat Springs

  1. Take a soak in the Hot Springs

  2. Tube the Yampa River

  3. Experience the Arts

  4. Take a ballooning adventure

  5. Discover Fish Creek Falls

  6. Enjoy the Yampa River Botanic Park

  7. Indulge in happy hour on the Yampa River

  8. Horseback ride through the wide open Yampa Valley

  9. Flyfish the Elk River

  10. Visit the local farmers market

Mountain Range
Featured Hike
view our hike suggestion database
North Lake to Buffalo Pass, Mt Zirkel Wilderness, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest

  • Difficulty: Moderate

  • Length: 21 miles, one-way.

  • Directions: North Lake TH: Take US 40 north through the town of Steamboat Springs. At the edge of town, turn right on County Road 129 and head north for 17.7 miles to Seedhouse Road (County Road 64). Turn right and follow Seedhouse Road for almost 10 miles to Forest Route 443 (North Lake Road). Turn right and drive 5 miles to the end of the road (the last mile is bumpy but traversable). The CDT starts at the south end of the parking area. Buffalo Pass TH: From US-40 in Steamboat Springs, drive north on Seventh Street, turn right onto Missouri Avenue. Follow the road for 2 miles onto County Road 38. Drive 11 miles to the summit of Buffalo Pass. Follow a curve to the right away from Summit Lake Campground and go right at the intersection towards Fish Creek Reservoir. You will see a parking lot on the left and the CDT climbs from the south end of the parking lot.

  • Maps:

    USGS 7.5 Quadrangles: Mount Zirkel, Buffalo Pass, Mount Ethel, USDA Forest Service: Routt National Forest, Trails Illustrated 116 and 117.

  • For More Information:

    Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest –http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/mbr/recreation/trails/

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People hiking

I'm a thru-hiker! What do I need to know about Steamboat Springs?

Since Steamboat Springs is close to the halfway point of the 3,100 mile Continental Divide Trail, it is a great place to take a "Zero Day" or two in town. With budget lodging options and close-to-town camping in limited supply though, its best to plan ahead when possible.

Submit a place

Is the thru-hiker section above missing a business or an amenity? If so, please let us know below!

Getting to the Continental Divide Trail

The Continental Divide Trail travels roughly north/south through the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest to the east of Steamboat, from Rabbit Ears Pass to the border of Wyoming. Between Rabbit Ears Pass and Buffalo Pass, the CDT meanders through the mountains and winds its way past several beautiful lakes, from Dumont Lake in the south, past Fishhook Lake and Lost Lake, and up to Summit Lake at Buffalo Pass. North of Buffalo Pass, the trail enters the scenic Mount Zirkel Wilderness, where it climbs up above the treeline and passes along the flanks of Mount Ethel and Lost Ranger Peak.

South of Rabbit Ears Pass, the CDT follows Hwy 40 and Hwy 14 for a combined 14 miles before venturing onto dirt Forest Service roads and then finally following singletrack. CDTC is working with the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to fill in this significant gap and move the CDT off of the highway and onto public lands. Learn how you can help here.

Dumont Lake Campground
Take US-40 East to Dumont Lake Campground. From here you can hike northbound on the CDT to Rabbit Ears Pass.

Buffalo Pass
From downtown, take 6th St northeast to N Park Rd. Make a left on N Park Rd, then right onto Strawberry Park Rd. Turn left on Routt County Road 36, then right onto County Road 38. Follow County Road 38 for 10.8 miles, then turn right onto FR 60. At Buffalo Pass, you can hike south on the CDT towards Rabbit Ears Pass, or follow the trail north into the Mount Zirkel Wilderness.