Summer in Steamboat is the least crowded and an excellent time to visit for someone like myself that prefers the outdoors and dislikes crowds.  The temperature was warm never too hot or too cold, and there were plenty of things to do and enjoy.  Hiking is one popular summer activity with no limit to what to explore.  The area has many parks, protected areas, and hiking trails (ski trails in the winter).  First, let's visit Fish Creek Falls!

Just outside of the town of Steamboat is Fish Creek Falls.  This waterfall is considered one of the top ten waterfalls in Colorado.  There are two trails leading from the parking lot to the falls.  The upper trail is an easy 1 mile walk that is wheelchair accessible pathed path that leads to an overlook where this picture was taken from.  The lower trail is an extremly diffult to traverse path with large jagged rocks and steep inclines that leads to the bottom of the falls.  The view from the overlook path is absolutely spectacular in all directions.  The above picture is looking out toward the falls.  Below is the view following the river west from the falls.

Another excellent summer activity in Steamboat Springs is the alpine slide.  This area is a huge ski area in the winter and in an effort to keep some of that adventure in the summer the alpine slide was constructed.  This slide is a 294 foot long slide simmilar to a toboggan run in which each person rides down on a little cart where they control the speed of their travel as the come down the mountain side.  In order to reach the start of the slide one must travel up the mountain on a ski lift before comming back down on the slide.  The view from the top of the slide overlooks the rodeo stadium and the center of the town of Steamboat.  Below is a picture of the end of the slide.

Another great activity for the Summer is horseback riding.  Due to the location of steamboat being in the rocky mountains another great way to see the surrounding country side is on horseback.  There are numerous stables around the area from which one can begin a horseback ride through the mountains.  Rides are broken down into 4 types.  Full day rides, half day rides, 2 or 1 hour rides.  Each stable has a variety of different options for types of rides as well as the amenaties available with each ride.  Full day and half day rides are available trough the guest ranches and often offer lunch or dinner with the ride.  The 2 or 1 hour rides are offered through the stables located near the center of steamboat.

Links to Activities

Vista Verde Ranch
Elk River Ranch
Fish Creek Falls
Strings in the Mountains
Steamboat Magazine