Hiking with Kids: Top Steamboat Springs Hiking Trails

Winter in Steamboat Springs, Colorado may be filled with skiing, sleigh rides, sledding and snowmobiling but summer has even more activities to offer. Hot Springs. Rafting. Camping. Biking. Hiking. And more… Given that hiking tops our list of family summer activities in Colorado I’ve rounded up seven easy Steamboat Springs hiking trails that are perfect for hiking with kids. Have you been hiking in Steamboat Springs? Have other easy Steamboat Springs hiking trails we should add to the list. Let us know in the comments.

Hiking with Kids: Top Steamboat Springs Hiking Trails

Vista Nature Trail
Jump on the gondola for a beautiful ride then take a leisurely hike on the Vista Nature Trail which can be accessed at the top of the gondola.  This Steamboat Springs hiking trail begins as a wide gravel road and becomes a narrow singletrack about half way around the .86 mile loop with panoramic views of the town and Yampa Valley. Pack a picnic lunch or stop into the Oasis Sundeck before you head back down the gondola. Getting There
0.86 miles Roundtrip | Elevation 9,080 ft

Spring Creek Trail
Spring Creek trail is located in downtown Steamboat and is a popular trail for hiking and biking. This Steamboat Springs hiking trail is perfect for families with its wide, easy sloping and well maintained trail. Hike about .5 miles to the Spring Creek Park where there are educational pavilions and two ponds. Continue up the trail through a shady canyon with Spring Creek running next to the trail. Getting There
10.5 Miles Roundtrip | Elevation 7,000 ft

Fish Creek Falls
Fish Creek Falls can be kept a short, easy hike or turned into a more challenging hike if you choose to the go the extra mile. Seven miles to be exact. The first quarter mile of this Steamboat Springs hiking trail leads you down a gravel path to the highlight of the hike – the 283-foot cascading waterfall crashing over a cliff into the canyon creek below. From there you can continue the hike to Upper Fish Creek Falls and Long Lake. Getting There
7.6 Miles Roundtrip (1/4 miles to first falls) | Falls are 280 ft

Yampa River Core Trail
Ok, some will argue the Yampa River Core Trail is not a hiking trail. This 7.5-mile is a paved walking and biking trail from the mountain area into downtown Steamboat Springs. The trail  follows the winding river the entire way. While it may not be an aggressive hike, it’s an easy (stroller friendly) walk the family can do together and provides multiple stops along the way. From the botanic garden to the alpine slide to fishing and tubing spots to a slew of picnic areas, it’s a great hike in Steamboat Springs that can be turned into an all day activity if you want. Get the map.
7.5 Miles | Elevation 6,700 ft

Mad Creek Trail
Views. Historical stops. A creek to cool off in. All this can be found on the Mad Creek Trail.   This Steamboat Springs hiking trail wanders through through pine forests and wide open meadows, past creeks and about two miles in you’ll find the historic Mad Creek Barn, built in 1906 by homesteaders. You can either stop here and enjoy a picnic and then head back down or continue on the trail to reach Strawberry Park Hot Springs via the Hot Springs Trail.
4.5 Miles Roundtrip | Elevation 7,000 ft

Pearl Lake
The easy hike at Pearl Lake is perfect for kids. It’s fairly flat hike with views of the lake and state park surrounding it. If you want to make it a day, you can paddle board and fish at Pearl Lake as well. Better yet, rent a campsite or yurt for the weekend.
.6 Miles Roundtrip | Elevation 8,000 ft

South Fork Loop
This Steamboat Springs hiking trail can be done either as a loop or one-way route. (With kids, I’d recommend you don’t do the 12 miles round-trip but rather walk in a mile or so and turnaround.) Either way you’re promised spectacular views of mountain peaks while following the sounds of the running water from the Elk River.
12 Miles Roundtrip | Elevation 7,680 ft

Have you been hiking in Steamboat Springs? Have other easy Steamboat Springs hiking trails we should add to the list. Let us know in the comments.