James Crawford is the father of Steamboat Springs, Colorado having settled in a
cabin on Soda Creek in 1874. Instead of becoming “Crawfordville,” legend has it the
town was named for the rhythmic chugging of a hot spring that disgorged mineral
water 15 feet into the air. The medicinal springs brought the first settlers to the
valley and later the town became an international ski jumping mecca with the arrival
of Norwegian champion Carl Howelsen in 1913. Today outdoor enthusiasts and dog
lovers don’t wait for the snow to fall to make their way to Steamboat Springs.

In town, the Yampa River Trail system links Steamboat Springs with the
surrounding mountain area. The trails provide easy dog walking along the Yampa
River and through city parks. More than 150 hot springs gurgle around Steam-
boat Springs. Following the Hot Springs Walking Tour takes your dog to seven
historic springs, including Heart Springs. The origin and history of each spring is
detailed on interpretive signs. Look for the descriptive brochure in the Chamber
Info Center (1255 South Lincoln/Highway 40).

To get out of town head for the Spring Creek Trail, an 8-mile round-trip that
begins at the corner of Amethyst Drive and East Spring Street. The route is an easy
canine hike on a well-graded trail that meanders up to the Spring Creek
Reservoir and Dry Lake Campground.

Just north of town is Fish Creek Falls, a 283-foot plunging waterfall that is the
town’s leading visitor attraction. Canine hikers will know it as the starting point for
the Fish Creek National Recreation Trail. Long wooded inclines at the beginning of
the trail give way to a steep, rocky climb before leveling off in alpine meadows on
the 5-mile journey to Long Lake. Continuing past Long Lake, you shortly reach the
Continental Divide. The elevation gain on this out-and-back trail, Forest Service
Trail #1102, rises from 7400 to more than 10,000 feet and and patches of snow in
shady spots will delight your dog even in summer.

Steamboat Springs is located northwest of Denver, on US 40.

Doug Gelbert

I am the author of over 20 books, including 8 on hiking with your dog and the widely praised The Canine Hiker’s Bible. As publisher of Cruden Bay Books, we produce the innovative A Bark In The Park series of canine hiking books found at hikewithyourdog.com hikewithyourdog.com Articles in the Doggin’ America series of dog-friendly parks can be found at DogginAmerica.com DogginAmerica.com

During the warm months I lead canine hike tours, guiding packs of dogs and humans on hiking adventures. Tours, ranging from one-day trips to multi-day explorations, visit parks, historical sites and beaches. My lead dog is Katie, a
German Shepherd – Border Collie mix, who has hiked in all of the Lower 48 states and is on a quest to swim in all the great waters of North America!

Click here to see Katie! ==>