Contrary to popular belief, there’s no Steamboat in Steamboat Springs. The town got its name in the late 1800’s when French Fur Trapper who were visiting the area mistaken the chugging sound from a local spring as the sounds of familiar steamboats back home.

James Crawford, who first settle in Steamboat Springs in 1875 designed the town and streets to allow enough room for cattle to be driven through the center of town. Today, one can enjoy the Western heritage as well as wonderful shops, galleries and restaurants. Summer activities abound, including mountain biking, camping, fly fishing, rock climbing, hiking, tubing and kayaking. Truly a playground for one and all, summer and winter.

Also called Ski Town, USA® and known for its World Class skiing facilities, Steamboat Springs was originally a summer resort. Travelers in the early 1900s visited Steamboat Springs in the summer months for the natural hot springs and
vast hunting and fishing opportunities. Today, summer activities span the spectrum, with three championship golf courses, an indoor-outdoor tennis center, biking, hiking, kayaking, fly fishing, and horseback riding right in town.

1) Named by French Fur trappers in the 1860s for a hot spring near the Yampa River that sounded like a steamboat.

2) There are more than 150 mineral springs in the area.

3) James Crawford staked the first homestead in 1875.

4) City of Steamboat Springs was incorporated in 1900.

5) Hometown of 69 Winter Olympic athletes since 1932, more than any other town in the US.

6) Home to Howelsen Hill, Colorado’s oldest ski area in continuous use (opened 1915).

7) In the early 1900s Steamboat Springs was the largest exporter of cattle in the western United States.

8) Lincoln Avenue (US Highway 40), Steamboat Springs’ main street was built wide to accommodate cattle drives.

9) Rodeo History dates back over 100 years.

10) Steamboat Springs weekly summer rodeo was named the “Small Town Outdoor Rodeo of the Year” by the ProRodeo Cowboys Association in 2002.

11) Holds oldest annual winter carnival west of the Mississippi River.

12) Home to Perry Mansfield Performing Arts School & Camp (opened 1913 attended by such performing artists as Dustin Hoffman, Julie
Harris and Agnes de Mille.

13) One of the first 8 US cities to receive the Preserve America Community designation from the White House.

Wild West Baloon Adventures
www.wildwestballooning.com
970-879-7219 or 1-800-748-2487
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A tour in our balloon is a flight of fantasy offering stunning views of the Steamboat Springs Area.

Strings in the Mountains Festival of Music
www.stringsmusicfestival.com

Fish Creek Falls
A 283 foot plunge. Just 3 miles from town.

Scenic Gondola Rides
Once guests reach the top, they can mountain bike, hike, eat or ride the gondola back down.

Strawberry Park Hot Springs
7 miles from town. 970.879.0342 • www.strawberryhotsprings.com

The Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series
Every Fri. & Sat. at 7:30 pm, mid-Jun.-Aug. Held at Romick Arena, Howelsen Hill Park Complex.

Continental Divide Trail
Summit Lake trailhead 18 miles from town.

Steamboat Lake State Park
27 miles north of town.

Stagecoach State ParkM
17 miles south of town.

Yampa River Core Trail
Winds along the Yampa River through downtown Steamboat Springs.

First Friday Artwalk, May 4 Downtown Steamboat, Steamboat Springs First Friday Artwalk (SSFFA) is a collaborative effort among local visual art venues with a mission to foster appreciation of the visual arts in Steamboat Springs and support the growth of the local art community. This nonprofit organization promotes a monthly First Friday Artwalk, a self-guided walking tour of art exhibitions at member venues which is free to the public and held on the first Friday of every month from 5PM - 8PM.

33rd Annual - Yampa River Festival, May 25, The 33rd annual Yampa River Festival and the Paddling Life Invitational are true Steamboat Springs, homegrown events celebrating the Yampa River and the amazing river recreation in downtown Steamboat Springs. Friends of the Yampa organizes this River Festival which celebrates everything river. With kayaking races, rodeos and slaloms, raft racing, tube rodeo, river board demonstrations and the crowd favorite, the Crazy River Dog competition, the Yampa River Festival is an action packed couple of days (Friday - Sunday) that will get you fired up to get on the river.

Paddling Life Open - 2012 - Kayaking events, May 28, The 7th annual Paddling Life Open wraps up the Yampa River Festival. Watch the best men and women kayakers in the world compete in a one-day, two-event competition for cash and prized and year-long bragging rights.

31st Annual Steamboat Marathon, June 3, Downtown, Run alongside the roaring Elk River through the emerald green pastures on Country Road 129 with the snow-capped Rocky Mountains all around and find out why the Steamboat Marathon was ranked as one of the "Top 10 Destination Marathons in North America." "The Steamboat Marathon is a unique combination of beautiful scenery and extraordinary people, which makes this race fun for everyone who participates," says Paul Sachs, the Steamboat Marathon Race Director. Runners from all over the country look forward to the Steamboat Marathon because it is still a relatively small race with a hometown feel and it's a race where every runner counts.

24th Annual Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup, June 14-17, More than 500 Mustang owners from Rocky Mountain Mustang clubs will convene in Steamboat Springs over Father's Day Weekend. Activities will include a scenic mountain tour, auto cross, Friday night social, Show n' Shine Car Show and awards breakfast. Spectators are welcome at the Meadows parking lot located at the corner of Mt. Werner Road and Pine Grove Road for Friday's Autocross. Over 180 Ford Mustangs compete in this timed event. Saturday's Show n' Shine is a car lovers dream located in downtown Steamboat Springs.

Bicycle Tour of Colorado, June 20, Steamboat Springs is excited to host The Bicycle Tour of Colorado for a two night stay in June. 1500 bike enthusiasts will ride into Steamboat on Wednesday June 20th and spend a much deserved day off from cycling in the beautiful Yampa Valley before hitting the road on Friday, June 22nd.

109th Cowboys' Roundup Days & July 4th Celebration, June 30-July 4, For over 100 years Steamboat has celebrated Independence Day in true western fashion, with events for the entire family. Kick back in your boots at several community events including a community all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, the annual Yampa Valley Bank parade down Lincoln Avenue, Pioneer Days Block Party featuring a free community concert and root beer floats for the kids, evening rodeos, and the Ranch Rodeo where local ranches compete against one another in the Old West tradition. Join us for a breathtaking fireworks display at historic Howelsen Hill which holds the distinction of being one of the country's oldest ski areas in continuous use. This nighttime extravaganza will begin at dark, roughly 9:30 P.M. For the best viewing location, you can get front row seats at the base of Howelsen Hill. Or celebrate the 4th at the Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo and enjoy prime seating for the fireworks that follow.

32nd Annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo, July 7-8, Join us for one of the most anticipated and colorful weekends of the summer. The 31st Annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo and 38th Annual Art in the Park have become a staple of Steamboat in the Summertime. Start your day at Bald Eagle Lake for a spectacular early-morning affair as you watch over 40 hot air balloons rise softly from the mist and drift over the Yampa Valley. Afterwards make your way over to West Lincoln Park for Steamboat's biggest arts and crafts festival. Mark your calendars because this weekend is an absolute favorite for the entire family!

Tour de Steamboat, July 21, The Tour de Steamboat is a legendary Colorado road bike event featuring an epic century non competitive road ride and two smaller routes (40 and 25 miles) that starts and ends in beautiful downtown Steamboat Springs, CO. Originally hosted by the legendary frame builder, Kent Eriksen, in the late 1970's, the Tour de Steamboat has evolved into an epic Colorado cycling event (including two stages from the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge!).

Steamboat Lake Sprint Triathlon, July 22, The 2nd stop on the Colorado Triathlon Tour takes us to a picturesque venue that was the surprise new event of 2011. The Steamboat Lake Sprint is exactly half the distance of the Steamboat Olympic Distance Triathlon that will take place on Aug 19th at Lake Catamount. Whether you're competing in your first ever race, prepping for the Aug 19th Steamboat Triathlon, or earning coveted Colorado Tri Tour points this is the perfect event.

4th All Arts Festival, August 16-19, The Steamboat All Arts Festival is the newest and most collaborative event in Steamboat Springs, CO. The Steamboat All Arts Festival is a four-day event that highlights the amazing arts and culture in the Yampa Valley while featuring nationally-renowned artists. The Steamboat All Arts Festival incorporates all aspects of the arts into one cohesive event including dance, vocal, musical, visual, literary and culinary arts. The fine art festival along the Yampa will be the heart of the event and will showcase award-winning local and regional visual artists. Experiential and educational workshops will be available all weekend and open to all levels. Come to Steamboat Springs to enjoy the arts, culture and beauty of the Yampa Valley.

Steamboat Olympic Triathlon at Catamount, August 19, The Steamboat Springs Triathlon was the hit new Olympic Distance last season (1.5k Swim, 40k Bike, 10k Run) and is the 3rd stop on the Colorado Triathlon Tour! This course and venue are a dream come true and offer everything you could want as a first time triathlete or experienced veteran. For 2012 the Steamboat Triathlon has been named the USA Triathlon Regional Championships!

8th Annual Wild West Air Fest, September 1-2, Labor Day Weekend in Steamboat Springs is packed with entertainment in the air, on the mountain and all over town! It's a Labor Day celebration for the whole family. The Wild West Air Fest features a vintage and warbird static aircraft display, classic cars, radio controlled airplane shows, Wings Over the Rockies KidSpace and much more! Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for youth ages 12-6, and FREE for 5 and under.

25th Annual Yampa River Rubber Ducky Race, September 8, Rubber Duckies are adopted for the fun race down the Yampa River! The community participates from the dumping of the Ducks off the 5th Street Bridge to the crossing at the finish line near the Art Depot. Great prizes for the fastest ducks!

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Please visit www.steamboatsummer.com for more information as well as for a full schedule of events.