Karson & Geoff
Things To Do
Explore Downtown Steamboat
Looking out over the Yampa River is Yampa Street, home to some of Karson and Geoff’s favorite bars and restaurants. In addition to brewing some of the best beers in Colorado, Mountain Tap Brewery serves up an eclectic menu with a great indoor/outdoor space. A block away off Lincoln Ave is Creekside Café for breakfast (get on the waiting list early) and Laundry for dinner & drinks. A few blocks away is The Westerly, an art gallery/cocktail bar as well as The Press, a live music venue. Besides terrific food and drink, downtown Steamboat is also home to a number of western wear outfitters our favorites being FM Light and Overland.
Float the Yampa River
One of Karson and Geoff’s favorite summer activities in Steamboat is tubing the Yampa River - and they are planning a float for the day before the wedding! Meet at 10:30am at Backdoor Sports on Friday 8/25 to grab an inner tube, life jacket, footwear, dry bags, and most importantly shuttle service back up to the top of the river. The float can be as long or as short as you like, with plenty of riverside stops like parks, restaurants, and bars along the way.
Bike Emerald Mountain
While hiking and horseback riding are possible at Emerald Mountain, the major activity here is mountain biking. The trails within Emerald Mountain provide views of Mt. Werner, Sleeping Giant Mountain and other scenic icons of Yampa Valley while meandering through oak, aspen, sage, and pine forests. 178 miles of trail offer an incredible variety of rides with quick and easy access from downtown.
Take a dip in Steamboat Lake
Half an hour north of downtown is Steamboat Lake. The lake is perfect for paddle boarding and kayaking, both of which are available for rent at the shore. If motorized boating is more your speed, there are also pontoons and speedboats available, with water skis and wakeboards always an option. Ask Karson and Geoff about the flat tire they discovered after visiting this local’s hangout last year.
Relax in Strawberry Park Hot Springs
A 15min drive from downtown Steamboat, these natural hot springs are set alongside a mountain creek. Open year-round (Karson and Geoff went on New Year’s Day 2021), visitors can relax in five cascading hot pools hovering between 102’-105’. Reservations should be made in advance – note the daytime crowd is quite different than after dark (once the sun goes down clothing is optional…but not required).
Hike Devils Causeway
A little over an hour south of Steamboat is Devil’s Causeway – a hidden gem hike that is not for the faint of heart. While only three miles up a moderate incline, the real test is at the very top: a 50-foot land bridge narrowing to as little as 4 feet across. Whether you find them terrifying (Karson) or thrilling (Geoff), the slopes dropping more than 500 feet on both sides are a once in a lifetime experience for those who drum up the courage to make their way across. Rather than risk it, many hikers elect to turn around when they get to the land bridge – not a bad option to take in the majestic Flat Tops Wilderness.
Fish the Stagecoach Tailwaters
About 20 miles from Steamboat, the tailwaters below Stagecoach Reservoir Dam are prime for fly-fishing. Comprised of short riffle runs, pools and pockets, this half-mile stretch of the Yampa River provides near perfect trout habitat. While the stunningly beautiful canyon isn’t half bad, the primary attraction in the tailwaters remains the bruiser rainbow trout. For those looking to fish closer to downtown, the waters right off Yampa Street are a local favorite – as long as you don’t mind the peanut galleries lounging off the back patios of the restaurants nearby.
Golf Haymaker
One of the top-rated public courses in the entire state, Haymaker is quintessential Colorado golf. A links-style layout with native grasses and wetlands, players will share the course with an assortment of elk, eagles, and blue herons. Tees ranging from 4000 to 7300 yards ensure Haymaker has something for golfers of all skill levels - and terrific views.
Ride the Gondola up the Ski Resort
Rising over 10,500 feet, Mt. Werner is known both for tree skiing as well as its unique “champagne powder” snow. The resort continues to operate its gondola Thursday-Monday over the summer for scenic views that can’t be beat anywhere else in town. A 10min drive or a free shuttle ride from downtown makes this an easy sight to access for all ages.
Visit Fish Creek Falls
Only about 5 miles from downtown Steamboat is the popular Fish Creek Falls, home to a nearly 300-foot waterfall. A favorite for ice-climbers in the winter, in the summer it’s a bit easier to get to – a paved and handicap-accessible ¼ mile trail allows hikers of all experience levels to take in the beauty of summer in Colorado. Bonus points for the adventurers willing to take on the extra two miles to get to Upper Fish Creek falls.
Walk the Botanic Gardens
Six acres of beauty filled with over 60 individual gardens maintained by local volunteers and situated halfway between downtown and the ski mountain. Gravel walkways allow visitors to see the hundreds of species of flora on either a guided or self-guided tour – all absolutely free. The park is funded through private donations and is a tremendous source of pride for Steamboat residents who love to show it off to guests who think Colorado is all about snow!