Steamboat Springs is a sensational vacation destination year-round, especially if you have a heart for time in nature and wildlife watching too. The following are a few stops you’ll want to be sure to add to your must-visit list when you’re excited to make it a Steamboat Springs wildlife and nature-focused adventure from start to finish.
Wildlife That Calls Steamboat Springs Home
Steamboat Springs and the greater Yampa Valley are home to some truly incredible creatures. The lush and rich terrain here filled with forests, mountains, rivers, and lakes alike provides prime habitats for wildlife of all kinds. A visit this way could potentially provide opportunities for guests to encounter everything from mountain lions and marmots to bears, moose, elk, deer, pikas, raccoons, coyotes, foxes, rabbits, beavers, porcupines, ermines, skunks, and a variety of fish and birds too. Wildlife can be viewed year-round but if you’re looking to spot bears in particular, spring is a prime time as they emerge from hibernation. Be sure to pack your binoculars for some spectacular wildlife viewing options the next time you’re in town!
Areas Where Steamboat Springs Wildlife Viewing Is at Its Best
While it can feel like wildlife is just about everywhere you look in Steamboat Springs, those who are heading this way with the focused purpose of making the most of wildlife watching will find there are a few areas that are sure to inspire. One of them is the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area. Designated by Congress as a protected area of wilderness back in 1964, the Mountain Zirkel Wilderness Area sprawls across more than 160,000 acres of terrain and is just an hour’s drive from the center of Steamboat Springs. The highlight feature of this destination is Mount Zirkel itself which stretches skyward 12,180 feet. Beyond this centerpiece, the wilderness area is a prime place to view everything from bears and moose to elk and mule deer alike. If you happen to be an adventurer with a heart for bird watching, this area promises to thrill. It’s home to bald eagles, blue herons, songbirds, falcons, hawks, osprey and more.
Another great place for wildlife watching during your next Colorado nature and wildlife journey to Steamboat Springs is the Rotary Park Boardwalk. This destination can easily be reached from the Yampa Core Trail in town. There’s no cost to visit and it’s open year-round for fish and bird watching. There are walking trails here that enjoy helpful signage pointing out wildlife and fun facts about their environments too. This is another great place for bird watching thanks to its population of magpies, stellar jays, osprey, and bald eagles. The marshy terrain makes this destination a great place for moose as well. Visitors are more than welcome to bring their dogs along for the wildlife-watching journey as long as they remain leashed at all times.
Settle in and Admire Nature
If you’re on the hunt for a place in Steamboat Springs where you can sit back, relax, and admire Colorado nature at its best, the Yampa River Botanic Park is it. Situated at 1000 Pamela Lane, this park is accessible off the Yampa River Core Trail and is the perfect place to stroll the pathways or settle in on a bench and admire flowers, plants, and birds that spend time in the area too. It’s a tranquil destination that hosts a variety of stunning gardens on-site right along the river. If you drop by in the summertime, there’s a chance that your daytime bird-watching can be paired up with an evening garden concert.
Hikes That Put You in the Heart of Steamboat Springs Nature
There’s truly no better way to embrace the very best that nature has to offer while infusing wildlife watching into the experience in Steamboat Springs than planning time to hit the trails and explore. Begin your journey on the Fish Creek Falls and Long Lake trail. The trailhead to access the adventure is just 4 miles from town and the trek to the cascade itself is no more than half a mile if your focus is on the lower falls. You can extend the trek to 5 miles if you set your sights on the upper falls and making your way to Long Lake extends the hiking fun even further to 12 miles. A Lower Falls trek is easy while the Upper Falls and Long Lake routes are rated moderately difficult to difficult. The routes are lined with dense pines and there are scenic bridges to cross along the way. A stop at the falls is a chance to take photographs or incorporate a lunch out in nature into your itinerary.
Book Your Stay Today
Enjoy your journey to Steamboat Springs and make sure to infuse style, luxury, and comfort too when you book your vacation rental through Elevated Properties. Reach out today to learn more about our many exciting and inviting options and to start planning your next adventure!
