Fish Creek Falls

View of the valley on the hike to Fish Creek Falls.

Steamboat Springs has grown immensely popular in the last twenty years as a tourist town for the outdoorsy adventurers. The summer it hosts bikers, hikers, and watersports. The winter snows bring the skiers and snowboarders out to play. Steamboat Springs is home to 88 Olympians and counting, so you’re guaranteed winter sports galore.

If you don’t want to read all of my posts about Steamboat Springs, Colorado, (although, you should; I’m a great writer writing about great places) here’s a quick look at all of the places you need to go! I’m linking all my posts, so feel free to click and read on.

Hanging out on a ski lift outside my grandparents’ condo.

OUTDOORS
Mount Werner
Mount Werner is the mountain in Steamboat. In the summer it is a hub of bikers and hikers. In the winter, strap on your skis or snowboard and head up the mountain. You can ride the gondola up, but I highly suggest embracing your adventurer and hiking up the mountain. It’s beautiful. If you can, the peak is where the best views in town can be seen.
Fish Creek Falls
Fish Creek Falls has become an iconic destination. It’s $5 to park, and then off you go! There are several trails of varying difficulty. There are two different falls. The first is less than half a mile down hill from the parking lot. It is absolutely gorgeous. Between mid-morning and mid-afternoon, it is pretty busy. It clears out after 6:00. If you’re up for a long and sometimes tricky hike uphill, there’s a pretty bridge over the water. Further up, you’ll find the second falls, which are amazing. Few people venture this far. Passed that is Long Lake. It is definitely worth a trip to any of the sites and trails.
Tubing
Due to weather conditions, I wasn’t able to go tubing. The river conditions were not suitable the entire time I was there, unfortunately. There are several shops along the Yampa River in downtown Steamboat. The price is $20 for tube rentals and includes a shuttle ride back to the shop at the end of your trip.
Alpine Slide
I have done this in the past, and it is so much fun! I wasn’t able to do it during my last trip because of construction. It’s closed this summer, but next summer have at it. It’s like a summertime luge on wheels. Not the cheapest activity, but you could spend way more on other things. It starts at $12, but the more rides you buy the better the deal.

SHOPPING
Downtown Steamboat is as close to idyllic as I have ever seen. When people think of Colorado, this is what comes to mind. A cozy downtown filled with lots of little shops of all shapes and sizes nestled into the valley of mountains. No matter where you look, you’ll find mountains as far as the eye can see.
Ruby Jane Boutique
Ruby Jane is a cute store filled with clothes, jewelry, accessories, and more. I bought a purse I have been using constantly. Instagram @rubyjane.valleygirlboutique
Fringe Boutique
The exterior is blue with white trim. I would have gone broke buying everything I loved in this store. I got a few presents for friends, necklaces, and quippy cards. Instagram @fringeboutiquesteamboat
Steamboat Art Company
My go to for cute, funny, and unique art in Steamboat. Instagram @steamboatartco
Off the Beaten Path
This bookstore is adorable. I love that there menu items are named after famous books and iconic characters. They have a great section. I settled in to get some work done a few times on vacation. Instagram @steamboat_books

FOOD
Bésame
I fell in love with this new restaurant. It is an unexpected flavor bomb in the middle of Americana. Latin food in small town Colorado. It’s pretty amazing! Instagram @besamesteamboat
Lyon’s Corner Drug & Soda Fountain
I have loved this place my whole life. A traditional drug store with a traditional soda fountain. Grab an ice cream and a phosphate. Heaven!
The Shack
It’s an institution in my family. Open in the morning to mid-afternoon, it’s a diner with a lodge flare. Once on the outside patio when I was young, there was a tiny bat napping, and it was the highlight of that trip.
Salt + Lime
Great Mexican food and a fun, modern decor. I love the rooftop seating with views of downtown and mountains. The tacos are amazing, and they have a mocktail menu! Instagram @saltandlimesteamboat

Fish Creek Falls has become an iconic destination in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

This is as close to free as you can get without it actually being free. Parking is $5 per car, so load up and head out. It’s the perfect destination for people of all hiking abilities and ages. There are several trail options. You can’t miss the first falls, which is by far the most photographed and popular option. From the parking lot it’s less than a quarter of a mile downhill – you do have to hike uphill to get back to your car, though. You can hike up the mountain to another bridge, farther up is a second falls, and passed that is Long Lake. If you plan on going to the lake, you’re in for a long day. Even going to the second falls is an afternoon excursion.

The first falls are amazing. On the way up, we pretty much bypassed them completely because there were so many people around. Most people will stop and enjoy the first falls deciding to not hike more after that. We headed straight for the bridge.

We had quite a bit of company on the way to the bridge, but most people turned around there. Taking a small break, there were lots of friendly chipmunks and butterflies to watch. They’re very comfortable with people, so they came right up to us. It took less cajoling to get my Partner-in-Crime to head to the second falls. I didn’t lie this time about the distance because he knew it would be a jaunt.

The hike from the bridge to the second falls is definitely a bit harder. On the way to the bridge, there is usually some buffer between the trail and the cliff. To the second falls, a good bit of the trail is the cliff. It makes for great Instagram pictures, though!

By the time we arrived at the second falls, we were hot. Luckily, there was no one there, and I had the forethought to wear bikini bottoms under my shorts and a sports bra. So I stripped and hopped into the pool at the bottom of the falls. Holy bejeezus! The water was cold. After awhile, your skin goes numb, so it’s fine. Lots and lots and lots of pictures were take. I ended up rock climbing up to another waterfall pool in nothing but my bikini and sports bra. I’m adventurous like that.

It truly is a spectacular view.

To hike all the way up and back, it took us five hours. We kept a pretty good pace, but we stopped and enjoyed the view a lot. We spent over an hour at the second falls. It is definitely worth the hike! I think my butt looked better for a day afterwards.

Tag: Fish Creek Falls

Travel Guide: Steamboat Springs