A refreshing trip to Steamboat Springs, Colorado is a fun getaway option any time of the year. However, if you have time to spare in the name of vacation fun in the fall, you’ll be in for a particularly colorful and captivating retreat! Steamboat Springs is already renowned for its natural beauty and access to fun. Imagine how inviting it could be when the fall foliage rolls in! Travelers who make their way in this direction in the fall will enjoy spectacular views, mild temperatures, and options to get out and explore at their very own pace. The following are just a few Steamboat Springs fall activities that you’ll want to be sure to add to your itinerary when you’re in town.
Explore the Fall Colors
The trails surrounding Steamboat Springs are prime places for visitors to enjoy admiring the seasonal colors each year. While it’s impossible to predict exactly when colors will be at their peak, typically, the time from mid-September to mid-October is rich with changing hues. Leaves will be more vibrant throughout Steamboat Springs as the nightly lows begin to dip into freezing temperatures but no matter when the change occurs, it’s truly spectacular to behold!
A wonderful way to take in the sights is to lace up the hiking boots and trek your way to admire the fall foliage. Mad Creek Trail is a particularly appealing route to enjoy as it’s only moderately challenging and covers 9 miles of terrain at an elevation of 1,354 feet. The Mad Creek Trailhead is found 10 minutes north of the city center and the trail itself runs through a beautiful valley brimming over with aspen groves. There are plenty of places to stop and admire the view along the way including a meadow, a small creek, and some old mining cabins. It’s a trail and fall foliage experience you’ll certainly want your camera in hand for.
Spring Creek Trail is another route to choose for great leaf-peeping opportunities in Steamboat Springs. This trail is a bit longer at 10 miles but is still rated moderately challenging. It’s a popular route for hikers and runners alike and the many aspen forests seen along the way showcasing stunning yellows and oranges this time of year.
Another option for enjoying the changing Steamboat Springs colors in the fall is to take to the roads instead! If you prefer to add a scenic drive to your itinerary, there are plenty of options for that as well. Buffalo Pass is a beautiful scenic driving route that offers up impeccable fall foliage views. It’s just a short distance from the center of Steamboat Springs and highlights colorful aspen groves as well complete with pull-over viewpoints to check out. Make your way down CO Rd 38 towards Summit Lake Campground for the best opportunities!
Enjoy Mountain Biking Fun
Year-round, Steamboat Springs, Colorado is an oasis of fun for those with a passion for mountain biking and fall is no exception! Buffalo Pass is also a great place to get out on two wheels and explore the terrain at your own thrilling pace. Many mountain bikers choose to begin their adventure around Dry Lake Campground and take to the single track route that leads along Buffalo Pass. If you’re looking to extend your journey, you can always link up with Grouse Ridge which makes it a 21-miles excursion in total.
Visit the Hot Springs While You’re Here
With temperatures beginning to drop in the fall, it’s the perfect season for visitors to enjoy time in the hot springs. Come to relax, unwind, and enjoy moments of restoration that have been serving Steamboat Springs locals and visitors alike for more than a century.
Experience Seasonal Events
Steamboat Springs has a long lineup of events and activities on their annual calendar with some highly anticipated moments happening in the fall. The Steamboat Springs Strings Music Festival lingers through October and offers visitors a chance to enjoy performances across genres at the Strings Music Pavilion. Fall visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy Restaurant Week which is hosted downtown and typically happens around the first week of October.
Planning a Thanksgiving vacation to Steamboat Springs? Bring your entire family and make memories that will last a lifetime when you’re booked into our stunning Thanksgiving vacation rentals in Steamboat, CO!
Add These Steamboat Springs Fall Activities to Your Itinerary
Now is a great time to begin making plans to turn your getaway into a reality with these scenic things to do in Steamboat Springs in the fall! When you know you’re going to want to pair your adventures with stunning vacation rental options too, the team of property professionals at Elevated Properties is here to help. Reach out today to learn more about our luxurious and inviting options for a fall adventure that is sure to inspire. We’re happy to handle all of the details so that our guests can focus exclusively on the getaway fun ahead. We look forward to hearing from you and can’t wait to welcome you to Steamboat Springs in the name of well-deserved vacation fun soon!
