Steamboat in August

Old Jun 22nd, 2016, 08:52 AM
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Steamboat in August

Hi, I posted earlier this year about our summer family CO trip. 2 adults and 2 kids, 11 and 7.

At the time we were thinking Vail, but have decided to stay in Steamboat instead... mainly because we are meeting up with CO friends that suggest it and will be meeting up with us for a couple of the days. We'll be on our own for the rest of the time so we're planning a general outline for the trip. My family gets bristly when they feel overplanned, but I think we work best with a general plan for the day and allow lots of flexibility. So may I ask for your feedback on these plans!?

Wed Aug 3 - arrive in Denver 2 PM. Allow 4 hours to Steamboat, gets us there at 6 so don't really want to plan anything in case of travel delays, probably just dinner / walk around town. Any suggested stops en route to Steamboat or great stops that are open in the evenings? Great spot for scenic dinner?

Thurs Aug 4 - Idaho Springs - whitewater rafting (possible with zip line) - anyone done this?
Fri Aug 5 - hike Fish Creek Falls, swim at Old Town Hot Springs or Strawberry Park
Sat Aug 6 - Alpine Slide at Howlesen Hill, hiking / fishing. Suggestions for hiking locations? Can we hike at Howlesen? The CO friends should be able to help with this too.
Sun Aug 7 - head towards Denver via RMNP / Trail Ridge Rd; stopping to hike at Red Rocks Ampitheater or Lair of the Bear. Spend night in Denver or ?? other suggestions?
Mon Aug 8 - we have Rockies tickets for evening game. Suggestions for Monday during day if we spent Sun night in Denver?
Tues Aug 9 go home AM

We would like to go horseback riding while in Steamboat but the times look wonky at this point (only 2 PM rides showing up at Saddleback Ranch and I don't want to plan the whole day around this one activity). So maybe as we get closer more times will open up.

Just need general info on the activities in Steamboat (yay or no or what must-dos are we missing); and really help with Sunday night.

Thanks!
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Old Jun 26th, 2016, 05:59 AM
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Going to red rocks seems out of the way and gilding the lily after a day in RMNP.
Might want to stay in the Idaho springs area night 1 instead of backtracking (2.5 hours each way...5 more hours in the car!?); Or just not raft from Idaho springs (water levels in August can be iffy).
Check out Denver your last day.
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Old Jun 26th, 2016, 06:10 AM
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Also check cdot for road slowdowns. Btw, there's rafting on the yampa river near steamboat,and many options for horseback riding.
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Old Jun 26th, 2016, 12:33 PM
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I would skip the float trip at Idaho Spring. It is not much with a lot of it along I-70. It is not white water rafting in any sense of the word. Remember Idaho Spring is almost a suburb of Denver so you are really returning to Denver for a marginal activity. Since Steamboat is kind of isolated off by itself I am not familiar any float trips in that area but ask around.

Trail Ridge Road and Red Rocks are about sixty miles apart with no good connection so Red Rocks doesn't work in your schedule at all. It will take you most of the day to drive from Steamboat over Trail Ridge just to get back to Denver. And, unfortunately, late afternoon out of the mountains on Sunday can encounter some serious traffic problems with all of the other folks returning to Denver. I-70 is a big traffic jam but not as familiar with traffic problems from Estes Park but am sure there are some.

For Sunday night I would stay in the downtown Denver area. If you stay downtown, I would consider dumping the car Sunday as you have no need for the car. From any of the downtown hotels you can easily walk using the free mall shuttle bus to the game and anything else to see in that area. And there is a lot to see. And you can take the train to the airport for less than the price to park the car.
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Old Jun 26th, 2016, 02:32 PM
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Oh wow. I'm so glad I asked. Idaho springs - on one of the rafting sites says it's only 30-45 min from steamboat. A different company (with less Appealing trip package options) said 2 hours so I was wary of both. We definitely don't want to drive there and back for that. And float - no - we live near the Hill country and float the Guadalupe all summer - so not that interested in a float. If it's not whitewater rafting we are not going to do it.

Recommended ranches for horseback riding? I was looking at saddleback.
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Old Jun 26th, 2016, 03:19 PM
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Check any of the mapping websites - MapQuest says 123 miles and 2 hrs and 15 mins. I generally find that these programs for the mountains under estimates speeds on mountain roads. The probability of white water rafting anywhere in Colorado is very low because water levels can be very low by August. May, June, July is the season. And, if available, tends to be at high skill levels (4s & 5s) because more rocks are exposed.

Part of the problem is that Steamboat is in a area by itself. Lovely area but not a lot around it. You would have had more "action" around Vail.
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Old Jul 23rd, 2016, 09:15 PM
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Hi all, we had settled on a general itinerary but I'm getting last minute nerves.

We arrive in Dec Aug 3 afternoon. Currently have 4 nights (Aug 3-7) at Fairfield in Steamboat and 2 nights in Denver. Recent tripadvisor reviews of the Fairfield have me squirming... we are admittedly picky about hotels ,and it really just doesn't sound that great. The more popular hotels are Hampton (sold out) and the Sheraton (requires full prepay). So before I make a change, hoping for some advice!

Since we arrive approx. 2 PM on Aug 3, should we just plan to stay elsewhere (not Steamboat) for a night or two? Boulder / Estes Park / other on the route to Steamboat? We are meeting up with friends in Steamboat on Fri Aug 5 so we will still have two nights there, and will either settle for the Fairfield or commit to the Sheraton for that short duration. I'm concerned about not having enough time in Steamboat; my husband seems to think we may have too much (esp if we aren't happy with the lodging).

Advice on those hotels and / or duration of time in Steamboat?

Is there another suggested 1 or 2 night stop that's more on our way to SS? Husband and I have been to Estes Park / RMNP and loved it, but quite honestly, I think the kids will be in awe of any mountains (we are from Texas) so if there is more fun to be had that involves less driving, I'd be down for that. We return back to Denver on Aug 8 for 2 nights.

FYI we are 2 adults, 2 kids (7 and 11), quite active and outdoorsy. More interested in scenery and access to hiking, swimming, fishing than in museums / tours.

Thanks in advance!
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Old Jul 24th, 2016, 07:08 AM
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If you land in Denver around 3pm, it will be close to 4 before you are on the road to S Springs. All the car rentals are off site so it just takes time. S Springs is solid three to four hours via I-70 (160 miles). BUT the bigger problem is getting across Denver at that time of day. Right now I-70 between the airport and I-25 is a mess because of construction in that corridor and there really is no convenient way around it. You are just hitting the evening rush hour or two.

I would give some consideration to staying the first night somewhere in and around Denver or even Boulder or Estes Park. Going to Estes Park would be nice but not save a lot in time since, the drive over Trail Ridge Road is slow but a great drive. That would put you on US 40 and on to S Spring.
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Old Jul 24th, 2016, 07:32 AM
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PS. I just noticed that I am off an hour on your arrival but it still makes little difference with the traffic situation across Denver late PM. Probably take at least an hour to get across Denver at that time.

Going to Estes Park gives the slight advantage of using the toll road E-470 around to I-25 north or on Boulder. Traffic would be much better.
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Old Jul 24th, 2016, 08:07 AM
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Thank you fmpden. What do you think about going the "other way" around - ie., Denver to Breck or Vail the first night?

If we were to do Boulder - is that worth a second night or would the one day in the area be good and then head on to Steamboat?
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Old Jul 24th, 2016, 09:13 AM
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Toll road E-470 would be a good option given the rush hour traffic (check the rental car extras for that); Breckenridge or Vail gives you the problem of going across Denver and I70 west in bad traffic. BUT if you go west on I70, think about stopping in the very cute town of Georgetown, and taking the loop railroad. There's lodging there and in Idaho Springs (maybe a tour of a mine there?).
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Old Jul 24th, 2016, 10:58 AM
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There toll road is a good choice only if going to Boulder or E Park.

You really need to look at a map. There is no other way around. Whether you go to Vail, Breckenridge or SS, the first 75 miles are going to be on the same chunk of road, I-70. And it is the first 20 miles that will give you problems - I-70 to I-25. Once across I-25, I-70 will be slow till the foothills (near Golden) but should not be stop and go unless, of course, accidents. The bridge at I-70 and Havana is being rebuilt. It is a construction zone - slower speeds, lose a lane and a big lane change around the construction area so it is just a big bottleneck.

You really have only two ways to Steamboat. It is I-70 to US 40 or more I-70 to Hwy 9 at Dillon and then north to Kremming and US 40. The latter is generally viewed as faster. Going to Estes Park is really out of you way since it is further north, across Trail Ridge Road, and then south to US 40. That way would be much long and slower but you would have the next day to do it.

Boulder is good for a day. It is typical college town. I you went to Boulder for the night then you could either rejoin I-70 via Hwy 92 at Golden or catch I-70 further west via Boulder canyon which is very slow (30 mph ave) with lots of curves but a very pretty drive.

What I am saying is that with the potential traffic problems crossing Denver at that time of day it will be a long drive to Steamboat. Stopping in Boulder would be a pleasant break and not add substantially to your total distance. Stopping in E Park adds distance and time to your total trip. But both save the frustration of sitting in slow moving traffic when you could be doing something else more interesting.
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Old Jul 24th, 2016, 11:35 AM
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I did look at a map - many times - And saw exactly what you are saying but when I looked up drive times (separately, on Google) it threw me off. Ok. So we are going to stop for a night or two in Boulder before we head on to Steamboat. Now to find lodging in Steamboat.

Thanks for your help!
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Old Jul 25th, 2016, 06:34 PM
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Just spent the weekend in Steamboat, there was some construction on 9 & 40 but not too bad delay. There are many places to stay in Steamboat. Did you look at Steamboat Grand? We stayed there &' it was fine. It had a nice pool area, close to ski area. The Sheraton was right across the street, good location also. On the main highway, I think there was a Holiday Inn, Quinta. And there are lots of condos. Years ago, we stayed at The West condos. We enjoyed the rodeo and the Botanic gardens. Pick up the local weekly newspaper for events. Many restaurants to choose from. Have fun.
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Old Jul 25th, 2016, 07:43 PM
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Betsy, thank you! We booked a condo and we are really excited about it. Any other activities or restaurants that stood out ?
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Old Jul 26th, 2016, 06:05 AM
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If you go to boulder via 36 (you will), beware the new toll lanes on the left. Check out the toll issue with your rental car agency, it can add a bundle to your cost.
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Old Jul 26th, 2016, 09:06 AM
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Thanks sylvia3, will make note to check!
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Old Jul 26th, 2016, 09:26 AM
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The toll situation for tourists is a little clumsy but not unlike most other places. No more toll booth. All done by license plate. The rental companies like to charge daily flat fees. That can add up. The only place you were encounter a toll road (E470) is around Denver. With your arrival time and if going to Boulder you really need to take E-470 that is a total toll road that will bypass the construction traffic on I-70 that was discussed earlier. The toll lanes on 36, I-25, I-70 in the mountains are all optional. Some lanes are completely separated and others marked only with a white line and signage. Some lanes use congestion pricing - when traffic is very heavy, the fees are higher. You pay to go fast.

Other than the first day going to Boulder, you would not need to use any other toll roads or lanes.
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Old Jul 26th, 2016, 10:32 AM
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My sister and I are going to be in Steamboat for three nights beginning July 29. This is the first time there for both of us - planning a some sister time and just to relax - maybe a little hiking, river tubing, and some nice dinners out.

If you're uncertain about the hotel you have chosen, I am wondering why you didn't think of renting a condo or house? We are going to be in a gorgeous condo with a pool and hot tub - shuttle available into town. It's only $157 a night - and sleeps six (although we are only going to be two).

When I was looking for accommodations, it seemed that there are unlimited choices this time of year.
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Old Jul 26th, 2016, 12:57 PM
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Scdreamer - we are doing a condo! Booked it yesterday. And we are very excited about it - looks great and price was not bad considering it's bigger than we really need (although with all the family bonding we know we will appreciate it). There were TONS of choices once we decided to go that route! Hope you enjoy your trip!
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