A playful guide packed with kid-approved adventures, helpful family travel tips, and the best things to do with little explorers in Steamboat Springs.
Beyond the stellar skiing and all the snowy fun, Steamboat Springs is packed with outdoor and indoor adventures that are perfect for families, especially if you're traveling with little explorers.
National parks offer easy trails for tiny hikers, while entertainment spots keep kids busy with bowling, water slides, and even bumper cars on ice. There's always something to do, and the best part is that each season brings its own set of activities so everyone can enjoy new experiences together.
Here's a little preview coming your way:
- Snowbowl: Bowling lanes and a dog-friendly outdoor area make this a lively stop for the whole family.
- Howelsen Ice Arena: Ice skating, hockey, and the famous Bumper Cars on Ice create year-round fun.
- Saddleback Ranch: Sleigh rides, horseback tours, tubing, and cowboy lessons bring the authentic West to life.
- Old Town Hot Springs: Hot spring pools, water slides, and a climbing wall make this a kid favorite.
- Yampa River Botanic Park: Peaceful gardens, a Fairy Garden for little imaginations, and duck ponds to explore.
- Burgess Creek Beach: Small mountain "beaches" with shallow waters, mini waterfalls, and plenty of sunshine.
- Steamboat Lake State Park: A playground of hiking, boating, wildlife spotting, and summer water fun.
- Bud Werner Memorial Library: Storytimes, crafts, music programs, and the outdoor StoryWalk.
At Retreatia, we have extensive local expertise in luxury rental properties, ski-in/ski-out options, and downtown lodging. Many of our rentals are pet-friendly, and all are perfect for any time of the year!
We also consider ourselves local experts, and in our destination blog, we cover everything from hidden gems and indoor attractions to wonderful coffee shops around town. You'll find plenty of tips that will help make your stay in Steamboat Springs a memorable one, no matter the season. Pack your bags, bring your curiosity, and get ready to make memories in this unforgettable corner of the American West!
In this blog post, I've curated some of the best activities for kids in Steamboat Springs so that the next time you plan a trip to Colorado, you'll already be covered when it comes to your children's playtime.
Ready? Let's have some fun in the Rockies with the little explorers!
1. Roll some strikes with the little ones at Snowbowl
The Snowbowl has been a much-loved entertainment venue in Steamboat Springs, drawing locals and visitors alike since 1977, especially those traveling with kids.
Snowbowl's 12 bowling lanes are sure to provide the little ones with a lot of activity, keeping them entertained and happy. Complementing the fun is their great menu serving delicious burgers and, for adults, the full-service bar offers refreshing drinks.
If you also have your furry companion in tow, this local gem is extremely dog-friendly, too. They have the Dog Bowl, a large outdoor turfed area for humans and animals to enjoy, and they even have a dog menu.
2. Enjoy endless icy adventures at Howelsen Ice Arena
All year round, Howelsen Ice Arena is one of the best places in town for kid-friendly activities and to immerse yourself in a winter wonderland atmosphere. The Olympic-size arena is great for you and your kids to cool off in the summer months and enjoy activities like ice skating and ice hockey throughout the year.
This is the only ice facility in Colorado to offer Bumper Cars On Ice, a uniquely thrilling experience for both kids and the entire family. During the 20-minute bumper car sessions, you can play tag, race each other, and see who can spin the fastest; it's truly a unique and fun experience!
Want to double the fun? Kids can also try ice skating and ice hockey. Everything is clean and well-maintained, with a focus on safety, friendly staff, and reasonable rates.
Heads up: Making a reservation is recommended as spaces fill up fast!
3. Get a taste of the authentic West at Saddleback Ranch
Saddleback Ranch is a sprawling 8,000-acre cattle ranch steeped in Colorado tradition and brimming with kid-friendly activities, all offering a taste of the authentic West. This is a true off-the-beaten path, just a quick ride from Steamboat Springs.
Kids will enjoy a cozy sleigh ride dinner, or even attempt a (safe!) lasso lesson with a friendly cowboy. They will also have a blast exploring the ranch on horseback and riding through breathtaking mountain meadows, a fantastic summer activity.
During the winter months, Saddleback Ranch turns into a snowy wonderland, perfect for exhilarating snowmobile tours or a thrilling ride down Yee-Haw Tubing Hill. The latter is a hit among the little ones.
4. Relax, rejuvenate, and make a splash at Old Town Hot Springs
For over a century, Old Town Hot Springs has been a Steamboat Springs institution for outdoor recreation. Now, you might be thinking, how can hot springs be fun for kids? Well, wait until you see their kid-friendly amenities!
While you relax in one of the eight hot spring-fed pools, kids will spend all their energy playing on water slides. That's right! They've brought a piece of a water park to their space so that people of all ages can have fun. But that's not all. Another popular activity kids love is the 37-foot climbing wall, where they can challenge themselves. Adults can also get active and join fitness, Zumba, and yoga classes.
The community pool and picnic tables are where everyone comes together to spend quality time with family and chat with friendly locals.
5. Yampa River Botanic Park
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Colorado Rockies, Yampa River Botanic Park offers stunning natural spaces for you and your family to explore together. The park's expansive area along the Yampa River features several manicured gardens showcasing a variety of plants and flowers.
Families with kids particularly enjoy visiting the botanical park because the Children's Garden, which also houses the Fairy Garden displaying several fairy houses created by local children in the annual Fairy Garden House Contest. These gardens are great for kids to play, learn, and embrace nature in a fun and magical way. Kids also love the ponds where adorable ducks leisurely float.
Heads up: The park is closed for the entire winter season.
6. Unwind in riverside bliss at Burgess Creek Beach
Did you know Steamboat Springs also has small beaches where you and your kids can soak in the sun during summer? At the base of Steamboat Ski Area, you'll find Burgess Creek, where you can sunbathe while kiddos play in the sand and cool off in the water.
With the snow melting because of the heat, a natural stream flows from the mountains and meets soft sands where small beaches are formed for the delight of everyone. Refreshing and shallow waters provide lots of fun, and Adirondack chairs lining the creek are perfect for relaxation. There are also mini waterfalls where kids love to play and explore. The best part of all? Everything boasts the ever-present mountain background that makes Steamboat Springs so special.
7. Discover endless family fun at Steamboat Lake State Park
Just a short drive from downtown, Steamboat Lake State Park is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, offering endless adventures for families with kids. Surrounded by majestic pine trees and stunning mountain vistas, the park's centerpiece is its shimmering lake, perfect for water activities like motorboating, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. Thrill-seeking kids can even try their hand at water skiing for an extra rush of excitement.
On land, sandy beaches beckon for sandcastle building and splashing in shallow waters, while kid-friendly hiking trails wind through meadows teeming with wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for deer, moose, elk, and bald eagles, and if you're lucky, you might even spot a majestic mountain lion.
8. Embark on literary adventures at Bud Werner Memorial Library
The Bud Werner Memorial Library is one of Steamboat Springs' best-kept secrets. You'll find a fantastic free reading space with views overlooking the Yampa River, comfortable chairs, and a wide variety of programs and events happening in the library.
Some of the kid-friendly activities include story times and hands-on activities, such as Sunday Stories, an interactive singalong; Crafty Tales, where kids listen to stories and create small crafts; Music and Movement, a program for kids to stretch, sing, dance, and explore music with rhythm instruments; and Adventures and Obstacles, combining storytelling with movement through obstacles inspired by a certain book.
However, the most popular activity for kids is the StoryWalk, a fun way to engage in a children's storybook while exploring the outdoors.
Extra Tips for Traveling with Little Ones to Steamboat Springs
- Pack for quick weather changes: Mountain weather can shift fast, even in summer. Layering pieces, warm socks, and light waterproof jackets help keep kids comfortable all day.
- Book kid-friendly time slots early: Popular spots like Howelsen Ice Arena, Old Town Hot Springs, and Snowbowl fill up quickly during school breaks. Reserving ahead saves stress.
- Plan downtime between activities: With so much to do, kids can get tired fast. Build in quiet time at your rental; board games, cocoa breaks, or simple rest time can make the trip smoother.
- Adjust for altitude: Steamboat's elevation is mild but still noticeable for some kids. Take it easy on day one and encourage extra hydration.
- Choose stroller-friendly routes: Downtown Steamboat, the Core Trail, and Yampa River Botanic Park are all easy for strollers and toddler legs alike.
- Use the free local bus: Steamboat's public transit is clean, reliable, and great for navigating town without car-seat hassles.
- Check seasonal events: Throughout the year, Steamboat offers kid-friendly festivals, movie nights, and community events that add fun to your stay.
Enjoy every moment of your Steamboat Springs escape
While in town, why not stay in style with the great backdrop of the Rocky Mountains in one of the most iconic rental properties and complexes that Steamboat Springs offers?
Retreatia offers luxury properties, ski-in/ski-out options, and downtown lodgings, many of which are pet-friendly. Staying in one of our properties, we guarantee you'll have nothing less than a 5-star experience, something that will definitely enhance your Steamboat Springs vacation.