No matter when you find yourself longing to enjoy a Steamboat Springs, Colorado getaway, you’re in for the adventure of a lifetime. This popular vacation destination is amazing for travelers year-round, but a spring getaway is particularly appealing. This time of year is brimming over with enhanced landscape colors, access to outdoor adventure, and fun for all that’s truly hard to top! While winter in Steamboat Springs may be the ideal season for skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and snowmobiling, spring sees the snow begin to melt away revealing incredible terrain for new discoveries under the sun. When you make your way to Steamboat Springs this spring, you’ll be enjoying time in a welcoming and charming mountain town that enjoys a place in the Rocky Mountains. Rich in culture, history, flavor, and recreation, Steamboat Springs is also a place where you can make the most of fantastic dining and shopping options too. At an elevation of 6,700 feet, Steamboat Springs has a lot to offer in the way of seasonal vistas as well as an active arts and culture scene that’s one-of-a-kind. Whether you prefer to spend your Steamboat Springs spring getaway on the slopes, immersed in history, or enjoying surroundings dotted with ranches, this ski town takes a turn for the extra fun in the spring and the following is your ultimate spring guide to making the most of every moment you’re here.
Getting to Steamboat Springs for Your Spring Journey
Wherever your point of origin may be, you’ll find it refreshingly easy to get to Steamboat Springs in the springtime. The closest airport you can fly into when you’ve set your sights on this alluring Rocky Mountain destination is the Yampa Valley Regional Airport. This location is just 22 miles from downtown Steamboat Springs, and it conveniently serves nonstop flights from no less than 12 major airports across the U.S. Airlines serving the Yampa Valley Regional Airport include JetBlue, Southwest, Alaska, American, and United. Alternatively, if you’re up for a scenic drive into town, there are options to fly into Denver International Airport as well. Denver is a mere 2-hour and 45-minute drive from Steamboat Springs and the international airport here serves a long list of international flights daily. The drive into Steamboat Springs from Denver will have you following I-70 and as you reach Rabbit Ears Pass, there’s a good chance you’ll be treated to sights of mountain goats, big horn sheep, deer, eagles, elk, and more! If you’re flying into town on a private or business jet, you can always consider touching down for your spring stay at the Steamboat Springs Airport/Bob Adams Field which also serves helicopters.
Getting Around Once You Arrive
If you don’t end up picking up a rental car at the airport to use during your Steamboat Springs stay, you can choose from one of the many convenient airport shuttle services available at either the Yampa Valley Regional Airport or the Denver International Airport. Once you get to town, there are options to swap out traditional vehicles for rental bikes in the springtime. As temperatures begin to rise, this can be a great option for visitors who are planning to keep most of their adventures directly in the center of town. If you’re hoping to get out and explore further but still don’t want to hassle with driving, you’ll find Steamboat Springs has an efficient and free bus system to use. There are seasonal schedules you’ll want to check on but typically, buses run every 20 minutes throughout the day. Taxi services are also readily available to utilize in Steamboat Springs 24 hours a day every day of the week. If you value options to head out and enjoy surrounding areas whenever you’d like during your spring visit, renting a car is definitely the way to go. This gives you the freedom to tailor your itinerary to your travel style without having to wait on public transportation or calling a driver.
Spring Weather Expectations to Prepare For
There truly is no bad time of year to make your way to Steamboat Springs in the name of fun, but understanding seasonal weather expectations can make your spring journey this way that much more enjoyable. Typically, the months of April and May see daytime temperatures lingering in the 50s or 60s making for a very comfortable climate for outdoor adventure and exploration. That said, spring is the season for unexpected rain showers too so if you have plans to head out on the hiking trails, you’re going to want to make sure you have layers on and an umbrella handy as well. The mild weather this time of year makes Steamboat Springs extra appealing and when you pair that with the fact that it’s considered a shoulder season before summer travelers head into town, you’ll have even more of a reason to head this way. Spring is a great time to avoid crowds in Steamboat Springs while maximizing your time out and about enjoying the sunshine and warmer temperatures. The combination of warmer weather and spotty rain makes a great combination of seasonal wildflowers to begin blooming and offers up motivation to head out and explore local lakes, rivers, trails, and parks.
What to Pack for Your Spring Trip
It’s fair to say that the key to packing successfully for a spring getaway to Steamboat Springs is layers, layers, layers! Temperatures and weather patterns can fluctuate a lot this time of year and having something for every scenario will ensure you won’t miss out on any of the fun ahead. If your plans have you exploring hiking trails or biking your way through a stay, having a waterproof jacket handy is a must as well as closed-toe footwear with a tread for any muddy treks. A brimmed hat is always helpful when you’re out and about and you can’t go wrong when you make sure your suitcase includes plenty of sunscreen and sunglasses too. If you’re heading to Steamboat Springs in early spring, there will likely still be snow on the slopes. If you decide to make the most of an end-of-season ski trip, you’ll want to make sure you have all the winter gear basics in place from waterproof ski jackets, pants, and gloves to goggles, hats, hand warmers, and beyond. A one-liter reusable water bottle is a handy accessory to pack no matter what your spring adventure plans entail. An insulated variety will keep water cool when you’re out enjoying time on the trails looking for spring wildflowers. Having an all-day backpack to carry around is especially great when you’re not sure exactly where your itinerary will take you.
Spring Events to Look Forward to Enjoying
All year long, you’ll find that a trip to Steamboat Springs can include a fun festival or two. This is a destination that knows how to celebrate, and spring is no exception to the rule. If you’re here between April 15 and April 21 in 2024, you’ll be right on time to make the most of the annual Springalicious event. This highly anticipated time of year is set aside to celebrate the end of ski season. Participants will enjoy the many daily giveaways that are included in the Springalicious fun as well as the live music, great food, and fun spirit week atmosphere. As Springalicious winds down, closing day for the slopes will be marked on April 21, 2024, giving those who are looking for last-minute downhill fun plenty of motivation to try every trail they can.
Spring Activities to Add to Your To-Do List
Sometimes, the most difficult part of heading to Steamboat Springs this time of year is simply narrowing down your list of activities and attractions to enjoy with so many at your fingertips! If you happen to be a spring traveler heading to Steamboat Springs with a love for golf, you’ll find the city is packed with great course options to choose from. Make the most of the warmer weather and blooming landscapes at one, two, or both of the public golf courses in town that showcase 18 holes to conquer. The high-elevation greens are fun, challenging, and scenic and suitable for all skill levels. Make time for a round at Rollingstone Ranch Course along Fish Creek or the Haymaker Course that showcases a backdrop of lush hills to enjoy.
If you’re in the mood to enjoy a thrilling experience this spring, time at Steamboat Zipline Adventures is always well spent. This family-friendly destination in town is packed with aerial challenges to try from miles upon miles of zip lines paired with ropes courses and swinging bridges to traverse. Afterward, you can indulge in some well-deserved relaxation at the iconic Old Town Hot Springs. This destination has been serving Steamboat Springs residents for more than 100 years and continues to be an oasis of relaxation and rejuvenation for locals and visitors alike. At the Old Town Hot Springs, there are eight mineral water pools to enjoy as well as an aquatic climbing wall, water slides and a kid’s play area. For a more off-the-beaten path hot springs experience this spring, consider heading over to Strawberry Park Hot Springs instead where you can follow up your soak with a massage.
When you’re ready to get outdoor and explore, springtime in Steamboat Springs sees the trails open up for hiking and mountain biking alike. Those who are exploring on two wheels will want to add the routes at Emerald Mountain to their list while the Yampa Core River Trail is suitable for families of cyclists who are renting bikes and heading out to explore at their own preferred pace. If you prefer to explore on foot, Steamboat Springs hosts hundreds of miles of hiking trails to check out ranging from 1-mile loops in town to alpine treks that are challenging and rugged for experienced backpackers.
Beyond the trails, Steamboat Springs is a beautiful place to enjoy fishing Casey’s Pond in the springtime or enjoy rock climbing over at The Dome and Box Canyon. If you’re looking for a new way to take in the springtime sights, consider booking a horseback trail ride over at local ranches like Del’s Triangle 3. Here, you can reserve your place on a guided tour or set out independently if you’re an experienced equestrian ready to ride.
Perfect Spring Destinations for a Picnic
With the warmer weather beckoning you outside, spring in Steamboat Springs is a picture-perfect time of year to plan a picnic with family and friends. There are a multitude of beautiful places to settle in and savor the moment including the Yampa River Core Trail. This 7.5-mile route connects downtown Steamboat Springs to Bear River Park and there are plenty of places in between where you can stop and make the most of an al fresco meal in good company with breathtaking views to match. For a more remote day of hiking and picnicking, consider packing your lunch and head to the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests. Sprawling across 2 million acres of terrain, this area is ideal for those looking for off-the-beaten-path fun and a spring picnic that includes plenty of wildlife watching too. When you want to pair your picnic with cascades, lunch at Fish Creek Falls is a must. This 280-foot waterfall is a popular area to visit year-round and a great place to settle in at the lower falls and make the most of your picnic fun with opportunities to take terrific photos as well.
Book Your One-of-a-Kind Stay in Steamboat Springs Today
Your trip to Steamboat Springs this spring deserves to be one-of-a-kind and when you book your vacation rental through Elevated Properties, you can count on luxury, comfort, and style being infused into the experience every step of the way. Guests will enjoy access to on-site pools and hot tubs as well as saunas, massage rooms, five-star concierge services and more! When you’re not out exploring and enjoying your surroundings, you’ll find you feel right at home in a spacious retreat that showcases spectacular views. Reach out today to learn more and to start planning your spring trip.
