Hiking and Backpacking Trails

Grab your hiking boots. We have a number of hiking and backpacking trails for all levels, and Rocky Mountain views that will take your breath away.

Hiking (H) and Backpacking (B) Trails

Coulton Creek Loop

Take Routt County Rd. 129 to Routt County Rd. 64 and continue east for about 4 mi, to NFSR 429 on left. Take Coulton Creek Trail #1188 about 5 mi. north to Cutover Trail #1188A. Follow trail #1188A east for about 1 mi. to Scott Run Trail #1177. Take trail #1177 south for 1 mi. to NFSR 430, then follow this road south about 2 mi. to Routt County Rd. 64 about 2 mi. west back to trailhead #1188. Roundtrip distance: 13 miles. Rating: Moderate/Difficult. Description: mostly single track. H & B

Elk Run Trail – Stagecoach State Park

Trail begins at fishing access parking lot off Routt County Road 16 at south end of Stagecoach Reservoir. At about 4.5 mi., trail crosses the dam and joins Routt County Road 18. Follow Routt County Road 18 to park road, past marina and offices. Take right on Routt County Road 14 and back to Routt County Road 18. Roundtrip distance: 10 miles. Rating: Easy. Description: Wildlife viewing. H & B

Emerald Mountain Quarry

Drive west out of town on U.S. 40 until 13th St. Turn left onto 13th, drive over bridge, and make left onto Gilpin St. Make first left onto Saratoga Ave., and make a quick right onto Routt Street. Trailhead is at the top of Routt Street. Roundtrip distance: 4 miles. Rating: Moderate. Description: Beautiful views of Steamboat Springs and the ski area. H

Fish Creek Falls

From downtown Steamboat Springs, head east on third street for one block. Take a right onto Fish Creek Falls Rd., 3 miles to the Fish Creek Falls parking area. Two parking lots are provided. The lower lost is for overnight and horse trailers and the upper lot is for day hiking and picnic parking. Both lots require a $5 fee per vehicle per day. Please use the envelopes that are provided. Roundtrip distance: Just a 1/4 mile to the first falls, 7.6 miles roundtrip. Rating: Moderate. Description: The falls are 280 feet. H & B

Fishhook, Lost, and Lake Elmo

Take US 40 southeast to Dumont Lake NFSR 315 to NFSR 311. Take 311 north about 4 mi. to Wyoming Trail #1101 at Basecamp Trailhead.  (NOTE: 4WD suggested on NFSR 311). Follow Trail #1101 north about 3 mi., past Fishhook and Lost Lake to Lake Elmo. Return to Basecamp Trailhead. Trail # 1101 continues north to the Wyoming state line.  Roundtrip distance: 6 miles. Rating: Moderate. Description: Excellent fishing. H & B

Hare Loop

Take Routt County Rd. 129 to NFSR 550, then north 4 mi. to NFSR 500, then east 2 mi. to NFSR 402, then south 1 mi. to trailhead #1203. Take Farwell Mountain Trail #1203 (single track, no ATVs) southeast about 5 miles to NFSR 409, then follow the road about 3 mi. to Wyoming Trail #1101. Take Trail #1101 north about 10 mi. to Hare Trail #1199, then follow the trail west about 3 mi. to NFSR 520. Take 520 west 3 mi. to NFSR 500, south on 500 about 1 mi. to NFSR 402 and back to trailhead #1203. Roundtrip distance: 26 miles. Rating: Moderate/Difficult. H & B

Hinman Creek

Take Hwy 40 west of Steamboat Springs two miles and turn right onto County Road 129. Travel north 18 miles to the Seedhouse Road (NFSR 400, also CR 64) and turn right.  Continue for about 4.5 miles and turn left on to NFSR 430 and follow it to the trailhead. Roundtrip distance: 6.1 miles. Rating: Moderate. Description: Creek crossings may be high during the spring snow melt. Wear orange vests during hunting season. H

Gilpin Lake

Drive west out of Steamboat Springs on Hwy. 40 approximately 2 miles and turn right on Elk River Road (County Road 129). Follow CR 129 about 18 miles to  Seedhouse Road (NFSR 400; also CR 64) and turn right. Continue for 11 miles to the end at the Slavonia trailhead parking area, where the Gilpin Lake trailhead begins.  Roundtrip distance 9 mi.  Rating: Moderate. Description: 29 acre, blue alpine lake of magnificent beauty and views of the Sawtooth Range. H&B *This hike can turn  into the Zirkel Circle hike, which continues to Gold Creek Lake and back to the Slavonia trailhead parking area – 11 miles roundtrip distance. H & B

Gold Creek Lake

Drive west out of Steamboat Springs on Hwy. 40 approximately 2 miles and turn right on Elk River Road (County Road 129). Follow CR 129 about 18 miles to Seedhouse Road (NFSR 400; also CR 64) and turn right. Continue for 11 miles to the end at the Slavonia Trailhead parking area where the Gold Creek Lake trailhead begins. Roundtrip distance: 8 mi. Rating: Moderate. Description: Beautiful 8 acre lake forested by fir and lodgepole pines. *This hike can turn into the Zirkel Circle hike, which continues to Gilpin Lake and back to the Slavonia trailhead parking area – 11 miles roundtrip distance. H & B

Mad Creek Trail/Hot Springs Trail

Take Routt County Road 129 to the Mad Creek trailhead To access the Hot Springs trail, walk back down Routt County Road 129 approx. 400 yds on left (trailhead not marked) to NFSR 128. About ½ mile up, the hot springs trail cuts off to the right. Strawberry Park Hot Springs are private; admission is charged to access the springs. Roundtrip distance: 4.5 miles. Rating: Easy/Moderate. Description: Popular mountain bike trail. H

Manzanares Trail Loop

Take CR 129 to FS Rd 550, then north 4 mi. to NFSR 500, then east 2 mi. to NFSR 402, then south 1 mi. to trailhead #1203. Take Farwell Mountain Trail # 1203 (single track, no ATVs) southeast about 5 miles to NFSR 409, then follow the road about 3 mi. to Wyoming Trail #1101. Take Trail #1101 north about 13 miles to Manzanares Trail #1204, follow the trail west about 5 mi. back to trailhead 1203. Roundtrip distance: 27.5 miles. Rating: Moderate/Difficult. Description: Hilly, rocky sections and steep grades are challenging. H & B

Nipple Peak Loop

Take CR 129 north to Forest Road 047. Turn left and continue about 10 miles to trailhead #1127. Left on trail #1156 about 10 miles. Left on CR 129 back to the car. Roundtrip distance: 30 miles. Rating: Most difficult. Description: Hills, rocks and trees add to the difficulty of this loop. H & B

Rabbit Ears Peak

Do not climb on the “ears,” which are unsafe, crumbly rock. Take East U.S. 40 to Dumont Lake Campground turn off. Follow road past the campground and picnic area, turn left at Rabbit Ears Pass monument and follow signs to NFSR 311 (rough road; 4-wheel drive suggested). Continue approx. ¼ mi. to NFSR 291 on right. Park and hike on road, which bears to the right. Roundtrip distance: 6 miles. Rating: Moderate. Description: The Rabbit Ears are remains of pyroclastic materials, which are layers of extruded rock and ash. H

Red Dirt

Drive west of Steamboat on U.S. 40 approximately 2 miles. Turn north on County Road 129, Elk River Road.  Travel about 7 miles to Red Dirt on right side of the road. Roundtrip distance: 6.3 miles. Rating: Moderate. Description: steady up hill until it drops into the Mad Creek drainage.  Trail used extensively by hunters during the fall. H

Sarvis Creek

Follow Routt County Road 18 past Stagecoach Reservoir dam approx. 1.7 mi. to Service Creek State Wildlife Area and turn right. Follow main road ½ mi. to Service Creek Trailhead parking lot. Most people follow trail 2.2 mi. to bridge that crosses Service Creek and turn around, but trail continues to Buffalo Park Rd. (12 mi. one way). Roundtrip distance: 5 miles. Rating: Moderate. Description: Located in Service Creek Wilderness. H

South Fork Loop

Can be done as a loop or one way. For the loop, start at Hinman Campground. Trail exits at NFSR #433; follow it west and north to NFSR 400 and then west back to Hinman. To go one way, park at trailhead #1100 off NFSR #443 and walk downhill to Hinman. Roundtrip distance: 12 miles. Rating: Easy. Description: Spectacular views of mountain peaks; follows south fork of Elk River. H & B

Spring Creek Trail

Access trail at corner of Amethyst Drive and Maple St. Follow Routt County Road 34 (single-lane, rough road) 1/2 mi. to reservoirs. Trail continues approximately 4 mi. to Dry Lake Campground. Popular mountain bike trail on improved surface. Roundtrip distance: 8 miles. Rating: Easy. Description: Within Steamboat Springs city limits. H

Three Island Lake

Turn right past Seedhouse Campground on NFSR 443 and continue approximately 3 miles to trailhead on left side of road. Turn right at intersection of trail #1163 and follow to lake in Mount Zirkel Wilderness. No bikes Allowed.  Roundtrip distance: 7 miles. Rating: Moderate. Description: Zirkel Wilderness, follows the south fork of the Elk River. H & B