The air is fresh and clean and the mountain scenery is lush and green in the summer months. Steamboat has fun things to see and do 365 days a year, so there’s never a bad time to visit. Perfect for thrill-seekers, leisure lovers, and families on vacation, Ptarmigan Inn is your home base for adventure in Steamboat.
Soak up the sun and the perfect air while enjoying dazzling mountain views that will make you want to break out into song. During the summer and spring months enjoy Gondola Rides, Fly Fishing, Horseback Riding, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Hiking and Steamboat’s very own Pro Rodeo Series.
The area surrounding Steamboat is absolutely packed with fantastic hiking adventures. Right out our back door are Mt. Werner and Storm Peak, which are covered with trails. Adjacent to town is the ever-popular Fish Creek Falls hike, which also accesses a longer scenic hike to Long Lake. Further outside town is the Mad Creek trailhead, which serves as a portal into the endlessly explorable Mt. Zirkel Wilderness.
Steamboat is a fantastic place to ride a bike in the summertime! Whether you prefer mountain biking on Mt. Werner’s challenging and extensive trail system or taking a relaxing bike ride on the Yampa River Core Trail, there’s something for everyone. If you need to rent a bike, we recommend either Ski Haus, which has a more extensive inventory, or Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare, which is a bit more affordable.
When the temps heat up in the mountains, there’s no better way to cool down than on or in the water. From thrilling white water rafting adventures to leisurely tubing down the river, Steamboat offers watery fun for the entire family.
When there’s snow on the ground, Steamboat Springs truly comes to life. A magical winter wonderland, Ptarmigan Inn is the ultimate basecamp for travelers wanting to ski, snowboard, ice climbing, ice skating, sleigh rides and do winter the Steamboat way. Hop on a snowmobile and explore places.
Steamboat has 3 great public golf courses. Haymaker Golf Course is a spectacular links-style course that was recently selected as one of the top 20 in the state. Then there is the Rollingstone Ranch, which is dramatically contoured and finally, The Steamboat Golf Club is a 9-hole course that is quite affordable and very nicely groomed. All three courses are highly recommended.
If you ever dreamed of floating quietly above Steamboat in the comfort of a hot air balloon, Wild West Balloon Adventures offers early-morning flights over the Yampa Valley, complete with a complimentary breakfast and a glass of champagne!
Just 7 miles outside of Steamboat is one of the most popular and attractive hot springs facilities in Colorado. Strawberry Park Hot Springs is truly a can’t-miss Steamboat experience that is open year-round. It features hot spring pools of varying sizes and temperatures, with the warmest hovering around 105 degrees. The sculpted masonry surrounding each pool is fabulously designed. Strawberry Park is also perfect for hiking, picnicking, and achieving complete serenity. NOTE: Clothing is optional after dark.
There is a good reason why Steamboat is consistently ranked as one of the most family-friendly resort towns. Yampatika offers a wonderful summer program of 2-hour nature activities and week-long nature-themed camps for children 3-11. Steamboat offers the Kids’ Adventure Club weekdays from mid-June to mid-August, giving your kids a wide array of activities to enjoy while you pursue your own Steamboat adventures. At the base of the mountain is the Gondola Square Adventure Zone, featuring the Slingshot Bungee Trampoline, the Shoot ‘n Shower, the Human Gyro, a climbing wall, and a small miniature golf course. Another great kid-friendly activity is Strings in the Mountains’ series of weekly youth concerts, featuring all sorts of fun music-oriented performances.
If you would like to be taken care of while you’re on vacation, there are many great options for massages, acupuncture, body wraps and all sorts of other spa treatments. Some of our favorite spas are Waterside Day Spa, Life Essentials, and Bear River Spa. And for your utmost convenience, we also know some highly qualified people who will come and give you a massage right in the comfort of your room.
You can take a dip in either scenic Steamboat Lake, the lazy Yampa River, or you can head to Old Town Hot Springs, which is the primary rec center in Steamboat. It features an Olympic-sized pool, several jacuzzis, and a kiddie pool with fun animal toys.