Active Pursuits

Most outdoor recreation pursuits are enjoyed in 1.1-million-acre Routt National Forest, which virtually surrounds Steamboat Springs and offers opportunities for camping, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, and hunting. For trail maps and information, contact Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger Station, 925 Weiss Dr., Steamboat Springs, CO 80477 (tel. 970/879-1870; www.fs.fed.us/r2).

Two wilderness areas in the forest are easily reached from Steamboat. Immediately north of town is the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area, a region of rugged peaks approached through 10,800-foot Buffalo Pass, on Forest Road 60 off Strawberry Park Road via Seventh Street. Southwest of Stillwater Reservoir, some 40 miles south of Steamboat via Colo. 131 through Yampa, is the Flat Tops Wilderness Area, with picturesque alpine meadows and sheer volcanic cliffs. No motorized vehicles or mountain bikes are allowed in wilderness areas, although horses and dogs are permitted (dogs must be leashed in some areas).

Howelsen Hill (tel. 970/879-8499 or 970/879-4300; www.steamboatsprings.net) offers several warm-weather activities. You'll find a BMX and skateboard park, tennis, softball, volleyball, horseback riding, and mountain biking, plus the rodeo grounds . In addition, an alpine slide, which operates daily from 10am until dusk during the summer, has a 2,400-foot dual track down the face of Howelsen Hill. For current rates and other information, contact the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (tel. 970/879-0695; www.sswsc.org).

The Steamboat Ski Resort doesn't go into hibernation after the snow melts, it just changes its focus, offering hiking, mountain biking, gondola rides, disc golf, and a multitude of other activities, including many that are great for kids. For information check with Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation.

Some 28 miles north of Steamboat Springs on Routt C.R. 129 is Steamboat Lake State Park (tel. 970/879-3922; www.parks.state.co.us), encompassing 1,053-acre Steamboat Lake. At an elevation of 8,000 feet, activities include summer camping (198 campsites with fees of $12-$18 plus the $5 park entrance fee; camping reservations are available by calling tel. 800/678-2267 or through the state park website), picnicking, fishing, hunting, boating, swimming, canoeing, horseback riding, and nature walks. There's an attractive sandy beach (the sand was trucked in) and three boat-launching ramps. In winter, the park offers ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. Day-use fee is $5 per vehicle.

Steamboat Lake Marina (tel. 970/879-7019; www.steamboatlakemarina.com), open year-round, has a small store with a deli -- be sure to sample the especially good homemade fudge -- plus groceries, fishing supplies, equipment rentals, boat fuel, and boat rentals. Canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats rent for $15 per hour, small fishing boats are $40 for 2 hours; 20-foot pontoon boats cost $100 for 2 hours; and 24-foot pontoon boats cost $140 for 2 hours. Pontoon boats are either outfitted for fishing or have barbecue grills. (Yes, you can fish from a boat with a grill -- then you've got a grill for cooking your catch!) Rates for powerboats include fuel. Boat reservations are strongly recommended.

The marina has 10 cabins that have coffeemakers, small refrigerators, and a shared bathhouse. The nightly rate is $60 for two, and $5 for each additional person or pet.

Stagecoach State Park (tel. 970/736-2436; www.parks.state.co.us), south of Steamboat Springs, offers camping, picnicking, fishing, boating, and other watersports. From Steamboat Springs, head 3 miles south on U.S. 40 to Colo. 131, turn southwest (right) and go about 6 miles to Routt C.R. 14, turn south (left) about 5 miles to the park entrance. The main attraction here is a 780-acre reservoir, which is set among rolling hills, interspersed with forests and grasslands. The reservoir is fairly evenly divided for water-skiing and wakeless boating. The park has 92 campsites in four campgrounds, and two campgrounds have electric hookups. Camping fees are $12 to $18, plus the day-use fee of $5 per vehicle that everyone going to the park must pay. Camping reservations are available by calling tel. 800/678-2267 or through the state park website (above). The elevation at the park is 7,250 feet.

Stagecoach Marina (tel. 970/736-8342), usually open from mid-May through mid-September, has a store with fishing and camping supplies, plus boat fuel and boat rentals. Rates are highest Friday through Sunday, when canoes rent for $15 per hour, kayaks and paddleboats cost $13 an hour, small fishing boats are $35 for 2 hours, 20-foot pontoon boats are $83 for 2 hours, and 24-foot pontoon boats cost $100 for 2 hours. There are 30% discounts Monday through Thursday, and also discounts for longer time periods. Reservations are recommended.

The Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association produces a trails map, available at the information center on Lincoln Avenue, showing which trails are open to what sport: biking, horseback riding, hiking, 4WD, or ATVs. On the reverse side of the map are descriptions of several trails in the area.