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    Home > Travel Colorado > Travel Colorado: Summer Vacation Steamboat Springs

    Travel Colorado: Summer Vacation Steamboat Springs

    Published: Jul 9, 2016 · Modified: Sep 15, 2020 by Lea Ann Brown · This post may contain affiliate links

    Looking for things to do around Steamboat Springs? Take a look at our three night trip from Denver to the Steamboat Springs area. A short vacation to Steamboat Springs must go on your “to do” list.

    Bear sighting at Glen Eden Resort near Steamboat Springs.

    We’ve just returned from a three day trip to north central Colorado. We celebrated the 4th here in Highlands Ranch with an afternoon at the pool and a grilling extravaganza that we called the kabob-athon. Chicken, beef, shrimp and vegetable kabobs were all wonderful and I plan to post recipes soon. Don’t miss the Churros Cheesecake Bars … ohmy.

    I’m posting this shot of the bear that was at our cabin as the headliner shot. Exhilarating for me as it was my first bear sighting – ever. I’ve lived in Colorado for nearly 40 years, camped and explored our wilderness areas ad nauseam, been to Yellowstone twice and not once have spotted a bear. This shot was taken moments before he swatted that grill to the ground. We were told mom was next to our car, we didn’t see her. I’d call this guy a “teenager” in size.

    Day One, Denver to Steamboat Springs

    vacation to steamboat springs

    We left bright and early on the 5th, our destination, Clark, Colorado. This area one of our favorite areas in Colorado. It’s far enough from Denver that you escape most of the rat race, pristine with lush green valleys surrounded by mountains. We rented a cabin along the Elk River. The location has it all, rivers, mountains, lakes, easy hiking trails along with a cozy cabin where we felt very comfortable. And our dogs were welcome. Perfect.

    Arapaho-wildlife-refuge-walden-colorado

    Bird Watching At Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge

    On our way to our destination, we took a little side trip to Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge outside Walden, Colorado. The refuge supports diverse wildlife habitats, including sagebrush, grassland meadows, willow riparian areas and wetlands. 23,464 acres, the refuge was established in 1967 primarily to provide suitable nesting habitat for migratory birds.

    Barn-Arapaho-National-Wildlife-refuge

    I love barns, so couldn’t resist taking a photo of this one that sits on the refuge. Googling told me this is the Case Barn. The area was settled by Owen Case in 1889. He was a school teacher and a rancher. There is little information about the construction of the barn. The USFWS surveyed the barn in 1991 and the recorder estimated it was built around 1948. The barn is not open to the public.

    Cabins Around Steamboat Springs, Clark Colorado

    Cabins near Steamboat Springs, Glen Eden Resort

    Here’s where my photo taking turns lame. We stayed at Glen Eden Resort, Clark, Colorado.  I had to snatch this photo off the internet. I took not one photo of our cabin complex. Cabins were close to the river, clean, well equipped and we loved it there.

    Steamboat Lake Colorado.

    Steamboat Lake

    Our cabin was an easy drive to popular and pristine Steamboat Lake. It’s a Colorado State Park located in Routt County 27 miles north of Steamboat Springs. The 2,820-acre park was established 1967 and includes a 1,101 acre reservoir.

    barn-steamboat-lake-colorado. Fetcher barn at Steamboat Lake.

    Another barn to photograph. The Fetcher Barn was constructed in 1929 by J.T. Kelton, who moved his family to Clark in 1927. He served as County Sheriff to supplement the family income during the depression. The Fetcher family moved to Clark from Pennsylvania and purchased the ranch in 1949. The barn sits on the west side of Steamboat Lake.

    Best picnic spot near Steamboat Lake. Hahns peak picnic area.

    Hahn’s Peak Lake and Campground

    Time for a picnic lunch, we moseyed over to Hahns Peak Lake and Campground. Hahns Peak Lake is a small, quiet lake, especially when compared to nearby Steamboat Lake. It’s tucked away, and fishing, camping and hiking are the main attractions. Featuring a scenic picnic area, the best spot, right on the water, was taken by a family fishing, and our picnic table is just above. These spots are near campsite #7. The 160-acre lake sits at 8,500 feet and is surrounded by wilderness. The 10,774-foot Hahns Peak adds to the scenery.

    Pearl Lake

    Pearl Lake is also a short trip from Clark. A beautiful little lake and State Park that my friend Teri describes as “heaven.” Pearl Lake is named for M. Pearl Hartt, the wife of pioneer sheep rancher, John Kelly Hartt.

    dock-pearl-lake-state-park

    I love this photo of this young man who spent some time laying on the end of the dock just staring down at the water. Summer!

    easy-hike-pearl-lake-colorado

    There’s a great trail to hike at Pearl Lake. Easy, lush and untouched.  It’s a short walk to the dam for a bit of exercise.

    hiking-trail-pearl-lake-state-park

    This was little Remy’s first ever wilderness hike. He made sure we had no unexpected chipmunk attacks.

    pearl-lake-colorado-boating

    Almost back to the parking lot, I snapped this shot of people enjoying the beautiful water. Unpolluted and quiet with great fishing and wakeless only boating, it’s what a mountain lake should be.

    hahns-peak-colorado-pearl-lake

    On the road leading out of the park, I snapped this shot of Hahns Peak.

    fish-creek-falls-steamboat-springs-colorado

    Fish Creek Falls, Easy Day Hike Steamboat Springs

    Just East of Steamboat Springs is Fish Creek Falls.  If you’re in the area, I highly recommend this side trip. Clear and fresh high alpine water roars down Fish Creek Canyon, spilling over the magnificent 280-foot Fish Creek Falls. It’s one of the most popular destinations around Steamboat Springs. Get there early…by the time we left at 10:00 the parking lot was full and the road leading into the site filling up with cars.

    Hiking the trail at Fish Creek Falls, Steamboat Springs Colorado

    The hike and trails to the falls are easy and we felt as if we were in a rain forest. So lush with ferns, aspen, oak and vegetation.

    cordilleran-flycatcher-fish-creek-falls-steamboat-springs-colorado

    I had the opportunity to snap this shot of a Cordilleran Flycatcher.

    stagecoach-lake-steamboat-springs-colorado

    Stagecoach Reservoir, Easy side Trip, Steamboat Springs

    After our trip to the Falls, we headed over the Stagecoach Reservoir.  17 miles South of Steamboat and a relaxing drive, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Stagecoach State Park sets the stage for great recreation in the Yampa Valley. Vistas and views are backdrops to the 820-acre reservoir providing renown lake fishing.

    rock-formation-stagecoach-lake-steamboat-springs-colorado

    A shot of one of the interesting formations that tower over Stagecoach Lake.

    For the drive home, we chose a different route back to Denver. This route heads over Rabbit Ear’s Pass then South to Kremmling, then east to Granby. I highly recommend the variation in routes as they both offer stunning scenery.

    Steamboat Springs Vacation

    If you’re planning a Summer vacation to Steamboat Springs, don’t miss these wonderful lakes near town.  It’s what to do around Steamboat Springs.

    We camped at nearby Pearl Lake a few years ago and I posted lots of photos here on my blog.

    More Travel Colorado

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    • Colorado Travel: What To Do Around Estes Park
    • Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Heather says

      July 16, 2016 at 11:57 am

      Looks like you guys had such a great time! No trip is complete without a bear! Such a beautiful part of our state!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann Brown says

        July 22, 2016 at 9:28 am

        That bear was a little thug hoodlum. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Debra says

      July 10, 2016 at 11:01 am

      Thanks for sharing your pics. I have some family members who made a yearly trek to Glen Eden for YEARS and YEARS. We get to Boulder a few times a year but it is only to see family and leaves little time to really venture out to enjoy the wonders of the rest of the area.

      Reply

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    I'm Lea Ann, Welcome to my Colorado kitchen. I'm a Culinary School Grad with a passion to inspire you to cook as often as you can. Here you'll find Wild West Colorado inspired recipes along some Southwestern and Mexican food favorites. I also share some special recipes from school along pro cooking tips. If you're an adventurous cook looking to spice up your meal plans, you'll find plenty of reliable, approachable, easy to follow recipes.

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