Steamboat Springs and Northwest Colorado
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Steamboat Springs and Northwest Colorado - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Colorado National Monument
Memorial/Monument/TombSheer red-rock cliffs open to 23 miles of steep canyons and thin monoliths that sprout as high as 450 feet from the floor of Colorado National...
Sheer red-rock cliffs open to 23 miles of steep canyons and thin monoliths that sprout as high as 450 feet from the floor of Colorado National Monument. This vast tract of rugged, ragged terrain was declared a national monument in 1911 at the urging of an eccentric visionary named John Otto. Now it's popular for rock climbing, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, biking, and camping. Cold Shivers Point is just one of the many dramatic overlooks along Rim Rock Drive, a 23-mile scenic route with breathtaking views. The town of Fruita, at the base of Colorado National Monument, is a haven for mountain bikers and hikers. It makes a great center for exploring the area's canyons—whether from the seat of a bike or the middle of a raft, heading for a leisurely float trip.
View Tours and ActivitiesFruita, Colorado, 81521, USA970-858–3617Sight Details
Rate Includes: $10 per wk per vehicle. Visitors entering on bicycle, motorcycle, or foot pay $5 for weekly pass -
2. Dinosaur National Monument
Nature SightStraddling the Colorado–Utah border, Dinosaur National Monument is a must for any dinosaur enthusiast. A two-story hill teeming with fossils...
Straddling the Colorado–Utah border, Dinosaur National Monument is a must for any dinosaur enthusiast. A two-story hill teeming with fossils—many still in the complete skeletal shapes of the dinosaurs—greets visitors at one of the few places in the world where you can touch a dinosaur bone still embedded in the earth. The Colorado side of the park offers some of the best hiking in the West, along the Harpers Corner and Echo Park Drive routes and the ominous-sounding Canyon of Lodore (where the Green River rapids buffet rafts). The drive is only accessible in summer—even then, four-wheel drive is preferable—and some of the most breathtaking overlooks are well off the beaten path.
View Tours and Activities4545 E. Hwy. 40, Dinosaur, Colorado, USA435-781–7700Sight Details
Rate Includes: $10 per vehicle; $5 per individual -
3. Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range
Nature Preserve/Wildlife RefugeOne of just three ranges in the United States set aside for wild horses, this range encompasses 36,113 acres of rugged canyons and plateaus...
One of just three ranges in the United States set aside for wild horses, this range encompasses 36,113 acres of rugged canyons and plateaus in the Book Cliffs. Between 90 and 150 wild horses roam the sagebrush-covered hills. Most years new foals can be spotted with their mothers in spring and early summer on the hillsides just off the main trails. Local favorites for riding include the Coal Canyon Trail and Main Canyon Trail, where the herd often goes in winter. Vehicles are permitted on designated trails.
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4. McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area
Nature Preserve/Wildlife RefugeTen miles west of Grand Junction, stretching from Fruita to just across the Utah border, the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area (formerly...
Ten miles west of Grand Junction, stretching from Fruita to just across the Utah border, the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area (formerly Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area) is rife with natural arches, along with numerous rock canyons, caves, coves, and spires. Rattlesnake Canyon has nine arches, making it the second-largest concentration of natural arches in the country. The canyon can be reached in summer from the upper end of Rim Rock Drive with four-wheel-drive vehicles or via a 7-mile hike by the intrepid.Though much of the territory complements the red-dirt canyons of Colorado National Monument, McInnis Canyons is more accessible to horseback riding, mountain biking, all-terrain vehicle and motorcycle trails, and for trips with dogs (most of these activities aren't allowed at the monument). Designated in 2000 by act of Congress, the conservation area was created from a desire of nearby communities to preserve the area's unique scenery while allowing multiple-use recreation. Be prepared for biting gnats from late May to late July. Contact the Bureau of Land Management for a map before venturing out.
2815 H Rd., Grand Junction, Colorado, 81506, USA970-244–3000Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
5. Strawberry Park Hot Springs
Hot SpringAbout 7 miles west of town, the Strawberry Park Hot Springs is a bit remote and rustic, although only the winter drive on the gravel portion...
About 7 miles west of town, the Strawberry Park Hot Springs is a bit remote and rustic, although only the winter drive on the gravel portion on the road is challenging. The way the pool is set up to offer semi-privacy makes for an intimate setting and relaxation. It's family-oriented during the day, but after dark clothing is optional, and no one under 18 is admitted. Feel free to bring food to eat in the picnic areas. A variety of massages, including aquatic-style, are offered next to the pools. Admission is cash or check only.
Strawberry Park Rd., 44200 County Rd. #36, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, 80487, USA970-879–0342Sight Details
Rate Includes: $12, Sun.–Thurs. 10 am–10:30 pm; Fri. and Sat. 10 am–midnight -
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6. Winery Tours
Winery/Brewery/DistilleryOne of Colorado's best-kept secrets is its winery tours. It's a great way to see how your favorite wine goes from vineyard to glass. You can...
One of Colorado's best-kept secrets is its winery tours. It's a great way to see how your favorite wine goes from vineyard to glass. You can learn about the grape-growing process and what varieties of grapes grow best in western Colorado's mild climate. Depending on the time of year, you may also see the grape harvesting and crushing process. For a self-guided tour, visit Grand Junction's website for maps and directions to the wineries. If you're taking the self-guided route, call to reserve tours that take you beyond the tasting room and into the winemaking process. Of course, the best part of the tour is sampling the wines.
Palisade, Colorado, USA -
7. American Spirit Shuttle
Winery/Brewery/DistilleryThis company operates scheduled tours in passenger vans seating up to 11 on Saturday that visit at least four wineries and last approximately...
This company operates scheduled tours in passenger vans seating up to 11 on Saturday that visit at least four wineries and last approximately four hours. Wine lovers get to sample a variety of Colorado wines in the tasting rooms, with the added benefit of having someone else do the driving. Cost is $225 for groups up to six people and $35 per person up to 10.
204 4th St., Clifton, Colorado, 81520, USA970-523–7662Sight Details
Rate Includes: From $35, May–Oct., Sat. noon–4 -
8. Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge
Nature Preserve/Wildlife RefugeOutside Craig, U.S. 40 gradually shifts into hillier sagebrush country. Every 15 miles or so, this desolate stretch of highway winds through...
Outside Craig, U.S. 40 gradually shifts into hillier sagebrush country. Every 15 miles or so, this desolate stretch of highway winds through tiny towns, including Maybell, Elk Springs, Massadona, Blue Mountain—some are not even on the map. At Maybell the road forks. If you follow Route 318 northwest for 53 miles you'll reach the Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge, with white-water canyons straddled at one point by a one-lane swinging bridge. The area was a notorious hideout for the likes of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Tom Horn, and John Bennett. This is an unspoiled, almost primitive place, ideal for watching antelope and bighorn sheep, as well as nesting waterfowl such as mallards, redheads, teal, and Great Basin Canada geese. You might also see elk, pronghorn, and various songbirds. The marshes are closed for nesting season between March and July 31. The route here is complicated, so call for directions. The refuge has two primitive and free campgrounds equipped with pit toilets. Beware: there's no drinking water, firewood, or trash removal.
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9. Canyon Pintado National Historic District
RuinsOne of Rangely's most compelling sights is the superb Fremont petroglyphs—carved between AD 600 and 1300—in Douglas Creek canyon, south of town...
One of Rangely's most compelling sights is the superb Fremont petroglyphs—carved between AD 600 and 1300—in Douglas Creek canyon, south of town along Route 139. This stretch is known as the Canyon Pintado National Historic District, and the examples of rock art are among the best-preserved in the West; half the fun is clambering up the rocks to find them. A brochure listing the sights is available at the Rangely Chamber of Commerce.
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10. Cross Orchards Historic Site
Museum/GalleryListed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Cross Orchards Historic Site re-creates a historic agricultural community of the early...
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Cross Orchards Historic Site re-creates a historic agricultural community of the early 20th century on its 24½-acre site. A workers' bunkhouse, blacksmith shop, country store, and an extensive collection of vintage farming and road-building equipment are among the exhibits. Tours lasting 1½–2 hours, or tours that are tailored to visitors' interests, are available upon request. Call to check hours; it's not always staffed.
3073 F Rd., Grand Junction, Colorado, 81504, USA970-434–9814Sight Details
Rate Includes: $5, May.–Oct., Thurs.–Sat. 9–4 -
11. Dino Digs
RuinsEver wonder what it's like to be on a dinosaur expedition? Here's your chance. The Museums of Western Colorado sponsors one- to five-day Dino...
Ever wonder what it's like to be on a dinosaur expedition? Here's your chance. The Museums of Western Colorado sponsors one- to five-day Dino Digs all over northwestern Colorado, and folks find fresh fossils all the time. The area includes some rich Late Jurassic soil, Morrison Formation sites, and other well-preserved zones that make for impressive discoveries. You never know what might be unearthed.
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12. Dinosaur Journey
Museum/GalleryRoaring robotic stegosaurs and meat-shredding animatronic allosaurs prowl Dinosaur Journey, a fun, informative attraction just off I–70 a few...
Roaring robotic stegosaurs and meat-shredding animatronic allosaurs prowl Dinosaur Journey, a fun, informative attraction just off I–70 a few minutes from the western entrance to Colorado National Monument. Unlike many museums, this one encourages kids to touch everything—friendly paleontologists may even allow kids to hold a chunk of fossilized dino dung. In addition to the amazing lifelike replicas, there are more than 20 interactive displays. Children can stand in an earthquake simulator; dig up "fossils" in a mock quarry (the pit is made of crushed walnut shells); or make dino prints in dirt, along with reptile and bird tracks for comparison. The museum also sponsors daily digs nearby, where many of the fossils were found. Local volunteers are at work cleaning and preparing fossils for study.
550 Jurassic Ct., Fruita, Colorado, 81521, USA970-858–7282Sight Details
Rate Includes: $9, May–Sept., daily 9–5; Oct.–Apr., Mon.–Sat. 10–4, Sun. noon–4 -
13. Dinosaur Quarry
Museum/GalleryAfter its predecessor was closed for five years because of structural damage, the much-anticipated Dinosaur Quarry Exhibit Hall opened in 2011...
After its predecessor was closed for five years because of structural damage, the much-anticipated Dinosaur Quarry Exhibit Hall opened in 2011, showcasing an estimated 1,500 dinosaur bones that date to the late Jurassic Period still embedded in the clay. Open daily, the Exhibit Hall is ranger-guided only in the winter; check the website or call ahead for shuttle hours and access availability. Fossils are visible only from the Utah side of the monument, not the Colorado side. A half mile away is a massive 7,595-square-foot visitor center.
Visitor center: 7 miles north of Jensen, Utah, on Rte. 139, Dinosaur, Colorado, 84035, USA970-374–3000-Canyon Visitor Center in ColoradoSight Details
Rate Includes: $10 per vehicle; $5 per individual, Daily, hrs vary -
14. Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway
Scenic DriveThis gravel road east of Meeker stretches 82 miles through ranching communities to Yampa, crossing an area shaped by molten lava flows and glaciers...
This gravel road east of Meeker stretches 82 miles through ranching communities to Yampa, crossing an area shaped by molten lava flows and glaciers that gouged tiny jewel-like lakes in the folds of the mountains. The drive is beautiful but desolate, so don't forget to fill up your gas tank in Meeker, Buford, or Yampa before departing. Also, the road can get muddy and dangerously slick when it rains. In good weather, take the extra time to explore some of the 235,000 acres available for outdoor activities, including the numerous trails that spin off right along the route. There are lakes to fish and plenty of picnic stops, and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. The road affords views of Rattlesnake Butte, winds through the meadows and alpine lushness of Routt National Forest, opens up to the Flat Tops themselves with a magnificent view from Dunckley Pass Overlook, and then drops into White River National Forest (watch for elk).
Meeker, Colorado, USA970-638–4516-Yampa Ranger District -
15. Grand Mesa National Forest
ForestThe world's largest flattop mountain towers nearly 11,000 feet above the surrounding terrain and sprawls an astounding 53 square miles. Grand...
The world's largest flattop mountain towers nearly 11,000 feet above the surrounding terrain and sprawls an astounding 53 square miles. Grand Mesa National Forest attracts the outdoor enthusiast who craves the simple life: fresh air, biting fish, spectacular sunsets, a roaring campfire under the stars, and a little elbow room to take it all in. The landscape is filled with more than 300 sparkling lakes—a fisherman's paradise in summer. The mesa, as it's referred to by locals, offers excellent hiking and camping (try Island Lake Campground) opportunities. There are also a handful of lodges that rent modern cabins. You can downhill ski at Powderhorn Resort, cross-country ski, snowshoe, snowmobile, or ice fish.
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16. Grand Mesa Scenic Byway
Scenic DriveThis byway is 63 miles long and winds its way along Highway 65 through meadows sprinkled with wildflowers, shimmering aspen groves, aromatic...
This byway is 63 miles long and winds its way along Highway 65 through meadows sprinkled with wildflowers, shimmering aspen groves, aromatic pine forests, and endless lakes. Scenic overlooks (Land-O-Lakes is a standout), rest areas, and picnic areas are clearly marked. There are two visitor centers on the byway, which has endpoints at I–70 near Palisade and in Cedaredge.
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17. Marcia Car
Museum/GalleryOne of Craig's most prized historical possessions, the Marcia Car in City Park was the private Pullman car of Colorado magnate David Moffat...
One of Craig's most prized historical possessions, the Marcia Car in City Park was the private Pullman car of Colorado magnate David Moffat, who at one time was full or partial owner of more than 100 gold and silver mines. Moffat was also instrumental in bringing railroad transportation to northwest Colorado. He used his private car to inspect construction work on the Moffat Railroad line. Named after his only child, the car has been restored and makes for an interesting tour.
360 E. Victory Way, Craig, Colorado, 81625, USA970-824–5689Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
18. Medicine Bow/Routt National Forests
Nature Preserve/Wildlife RefugeIn summer Steamboat serves as the gateway to the magnificent Medicine Bow/Routt National Forests, with a wealth of activities from hiking to...
In summer Steamboat serves as the gateway to the magnificent Medicine Bow/Routt National Forests, with a wealth of activities from hiking to mountain biking to fishing. Among the nearby attractions are the 283-foot Fish Creek Falls and the splendidly rugged Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area. To the north, two sparkling man-made lakes, Steamboat and Pearl, each in its own state park, are a draw for those into fishing and sailing. In winter the area is just as popular. Snowshoers and backcountry skiers are permitted to use the west side of Rabbit Ears Pass, whereas snowmobilers are confined to the east side.
Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District Office, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, 80487, USA970-870–2187 -
19. Museum of Northwest Colorado
Museum/GalleryThis museum elegantly displays an eclectic collection of everything from arrowheads to a fire truck. The upstairs of this restored county courthouse...
This museum elegantly displays an eclectic collection of everything from arrowheads to a fire truck. The upstairs of this restored county courthouse holds the largest privately owned collection of working cowboy artifacts in the world. Bill Mackin, one of the leading traders in cowboy collectibles, has spent a lifetime gathering guns, bits, saddles, bootjacks, holsters, and spurs of all descriptions.
590 Yampa Ave., Craig, Colorado, 81625, USA970-824–6360Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, donations accepted, Closed Sun. -
20. Museum of the West
Museum/GalleryThe Museum of the West relates the history of the area since the 1880s, with a time line, a firearms display, and a Southwest pottery collection...
The Museum of the West relates the history of the area since the 1880s, with a time line, a firearms display, and a Southwest pottery collection. The area's rich mining heritage is perfectly captured in the uranium mine that educates with interactive sound and exhibit stations, and the museum also oversees paleontological excavations. The museums of the Grand Junction area have banded together as the Museums of Western Colorado, which comprises the Museum of the West (this one), the Dinosaur Journey Museum (550 Jurassic Court in Fruita), and the Cross Orchards Living History Farm (3073 F Rd. in Grand Junction).
462 Ute Ave., Grand Junction, Colorado, 81504, USA970-242–0971Sight Details
Rate Includes: $7, Closed Sun. and Mon.
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