We are doing a summer trip to the Blackhills, then visiting a friend in Boulder, CO. Then on to another area. We tried to get in YMCA cabins in Estes Park or Snow Mountain in Winter Park but they are booked. My Colorado friend mentioned Steamboat as a possible alternative.

We have two teen girls and a dog and would be traveling at the end of July. Would like to do some hiking, shopping and sightseeing. We've been to Vail, Aspen, etc. and don't have the time to go to southern Colorado. Has anyone spent any time in the summer in Steamboat?

Steamboat along with most of the mountain towns are beautiful in the summer. If you're looking to shop though, I think I'd recommend Breckenridge. It's a cute town with lots of shopping. Also close to the outlets in Silverthorne.

Our family (with two teens) LOVES Steamboat in the summer. Our son sometimes goes to a summer soccer tournament in Steamboat--our favorite place to stay is the Sheraton, located at the base of the mountain. Great outdoor pool and a resort feel. Some years ago we did a trail ride up the base of the mountains--that's a fun thing for teens. As well, Steamboat has a great downtown with specialty shopping and excellent restaurants. Our kids love the Alpine Slide (like a tobaggan on a track, set into the hillside) and there's a hot springs pool in town.

The Breckenridge suggestion is a good one but you just can't go wrong with Steamboat, especially since you've already been near the Breck area (Vail). Steamboat just has a different feel than most Colorado resorts--hard to put my finger on but it just seems more 'authentic,' even though it's definitely a resort town. In fact, one of the bar and grills even has dog treats on the menu since pups are welcome many places. It's a great family vacation spot--summer or winter.

Thanks for your help.... How is the hiking in Steamboat? Is the area as majestic as RMNP?

Also, has anyone stayed at the KOA Kamping Kabins or other cabins in the area? Might do that a couple of nights as we love to have a campfire. We stayed at a great KOA in West Glacier and liked it more than the expensive cabin we rented a few nights later!

While I've visited Steamboat in the summer several times, we haven't done much hiking there. No, I would say the hiking is NOT as spectacular as in RMNP, or even as stunning as hiking in the Breckenridge/Vail area. Even though Steamboat Ski Resort is there, the Yampa Valley (in which Steamboat is located) is very wide at that point, and the mountains don't look as high or majestic as in the other places.

That being said, it's still a beautiful area and town. Steamboat's downtown is cute and welcoming, but not as many stores as in Breck or Vail (if that's important to you). There are a number of interesting restaurants, but it kind of depends on how long you'd be there.

Another fun summertime activity in Steamboat is to drive the dirt road up to Strawberry Hot Springs. It's a natural hot springs, and lots of fun. My kids loved it. (Though only take the kids in the daytime.)

You may already be aware, but do note that you cannot take your dog hiking with you in RMNP. (Though there is good hiking in the national forest area near the park, and you can take your dog into national forests.)

Just bumping up!

Agreed that you aren't going to find the same caliber of hiking as you will in RMNP. However, while most people admire how many trails and how difficult they are at RMNP, my experience has been that the vast majority of people stick to the "tamer" trails.... Kind of like how everyone in the suburbs likes to have 4wd, even though they drive in 2wd 99.9% of the time.

Steamboat is a great spot, but you might want to stay closer to Estes Park / RMNP for the scenery. Keep calling... someone will cancel and something will open up.