The Yampa Valley and surrounding area contain several geothermal hot springs, from which the city derives its name. The city is named after the Steamboat Spring, located near the present day library. Early settlers thought the spring's bubbling sounded like a steamboat. Unfortunately, construction and blasting for the railroad silenced the chugging spring in 1908. Locals take pride in the name of their town, as evidenced by the humorously named Steamboat Yacht Club, a local restaurant location on the Yampa River.
Never far from its ranching roots, Steamboat remains firmly linked to a western tradition that sets it apart from every other ski resort in the world. You'll be hard pressed to find another resort town that exudes this much history, heritage and character. Driving there to ride Fish Creek Falls is definitely worth it.
Steamboat features an amazing array of activities besides mountain biking to fill the off hours. Soaking at Strawberry Park or Old Town Hot Springs, cooling off or tubing in the Yampa River, taking a scenic horseback ride, trying the Howler Alpine Slide's side-by-side course with a 2,400 foot descent - the steepest of its kind in the nation, or visiting the Moots factory, yeah!! Abundant camping is available both on top of Rabbit Ears Pass and around town.
