City of Steamboat Springs: Parks & Rec Department
| Type | Land Managers |
|---|---|
| Activities |
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| Website |
| Geo | |
|---|---|
| Address |
245 Howelsen Parkway
Steamboat Springs,
Colorado
80487
United States
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| Associated Group |
COSS City of Steamboat Springs: Parks & Rec Departments - Regional Admin Group
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City of Steamboat Springs Parks & Recreation Department
The Parks & Recreation Department for Steamboat Springs is one of the most trail-oriented municipal recreation agencies in the Rocky Mountain region, playing a central role in the planning, construction, maintenance, and management of the city’s extensive non-motorized trail network. Operating from Steamboat Springs Parks & Rec, the department oversees parks, open space, multi-use trails, the historic Howelsen Hill complex, recreation facilities, and several major community recreation assets.
Steamboat Springs has developed a nationally recognized outdoor recreation culture centered around skiing, hiking, trail running, mountain biking, equestrian use, and Nordic recreation. The city directly manages large portions of the renowned Emerald Mountain trail system, which contains more than 24 miles of non-motorized multi-use trails immediately adjacent to downtown.
Support of Trails & Trail Recreation
The department is heavily involved in nearly every aspect of local trail development and stewardship. Its support includes:
Trail planning and long-term open space management
Construction and maintenance of multi-use singletrack and doubletrack trails
Seasonal trail condition monitoring and reporting
Trailhead development and signage
Coordination with local mountain bike, hiking, and equestrian users
Winter grooming and Nordic trail access
Public safety, trail etiquette, and conservation education
The city employs dedicated Open Space & Trails staff and actively encourages public reporting of trail issues such as erosion, fallen trees, and drainage concerns.
Major Trail Systems Supported by the Department
Emerald Mountain
Emerald Mountain is the centerpiece of Steamboat’s municipal trail system and one of Colorado’s premier in-town mountain biking and hiking destinations. The city-owned “front side” network provides over 24 miles of multi-use trails with access for mountain biking, hiking, trail running, horseback riding, snowshoeing, and Nordic skiing.
The system includes:
Directional downhill mountain bike trails
Climbing routes and flow trails
Scenic ridge traverses
Nordic and winter-use corridors
Connections to Howelsen Hill
The city continues to invest in modern trail construction, including new expert-level downhill lines featuring berms, rock armoring, jumps, and technical riding features designed to strengthen Steamboat’s position as a mountain biking destination.
Spring Creek
Spring Creek is another highly popular city-supported multi-use trail corridor used extensively for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. The route extends through scenic canyon terrain and connects neighborhoods directly to public open space.
Howelsen Hill
The Parks & Recreation Department also owns and operates the historic Howelsen Hill Ski Area, one of the oldest continuously operating ski areas in North America. The ski hill and adjacent recreation infrastructure are tightly integrated with the Emerald Mountain trail network, creating year-round recreational access for residents and visitors.
Community Recreation Philosophy
Steamboat Springs’ municipal recreation model strongly emphasizes:
Year-round outdoor recreation
Multi-user trail access
Integration of trails into daily community life
Preservation of open space near town
Sustainable recreation tourism
Youth outdoor programming and endurance sports culture
The department works closely with local recreation groups, outdoor clubs, event organizers, and the broader tourism economy that brands the community as “Ski Town USA.”
Facilities & Contact
Parks & Recreation Headquarters: Steamboat Springs Parks & Rec
Address: 245 Howelsen Parkway, Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Phone: (970) 879-4300
Popular city-managed trailheads include:
Blackmere Trailhead
Spring Creek Trail Head
Emerald Mountain
The system is notable because many trailheads are accessible directly from town neighborhoods, allowing riders and hikers to access extensive singletrack without needing to drive.
The Parks & Recreation Department for Steamboat Springs is one of the most trail-oriented municipal recreation agencies in the Rocky Mountain region, playing a central role in the planning, construction, maintenance, and management of the city’s extensive non-motorized trail network. Operating from Steamboat Springs Parks & Rec, the department oversees parks, open space, multi-use trails, the historic Howelsen Hill complex, recreation facilities, and several major community recreation assets.
Steamboat Springs has developed a nationally recognized outdoor recreation culture centered around skiing, hiking, trail running, mountain biking, equestrian use, and Nordic recreation. The city directly manages large portions of the renowned Emerald Mountain trail system, which contains more than 24 miles of non-motorized multi-use trails immediately adjacent to downtown.
Support of Trails & Trail Recreation
The department is heavily involved in nearly every aspect of local trail development and stewardship. Its support includes:
Trail planning and long-term open space management
Construction and maintenance of multi-use singletrack and doubletrack trails
Seasonal trail condition monitoring and reporting
Trailhead development and signage
Coordination with local mountain bike, hiking, and equestrian users
Winter grooming and Nordic trail access
Public safety, trail etiquette, and conservation education
The city employs dedicated Open Space & Trails staff and actively encourages public reporting of trail issues such as erosion, fallen trees, and drainage concerns.
Major Trail Systems Supported by the Department
Emerald Mountain
Emerald Mountain is the centerpiece of Steamboat’s municipal trail system and one of Colorado’s premier in-town mountain biking and hiking destinations. The city-owned “front side” network provides over 24 miles of multi-use trails with access for mountain biking, hiking, trail running, horseback riding, snowshoeing, and Nordic skiing.
The system includes:
Directional downhill mountain bike trails
Climbing routes and flow trails
Scenic ridge traverses
Nordic and winter-use corridors
Connections to Howelsen Hill
The city continues to invest in modern trail construction, including new expert-level downhill lines featuring berms, rock armoring, jumps, and technical riding features designed to strengthen Steamboat’s position as a mountain biking destination.
Spring Creek
Spring Creek is another highly popular city-supported multi-use trail corridor used extensively for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. The route extends through scenic canyon terrain and connects neighborhoods directly to public open space.
Howelsen Hill
The Parks & Recreation Department also owns and operates the historic Howelsen Hill Ski Area, one of the oldest continuously operating ski areas in North America. The ski hill and adjacent recreation infrastructure are tightly integrated with the Emerald Mountain trail network, creating year-round recreational access for residents and visitors.
Community Recreation Philosophy
Steamboat Springs’ municipal recreation model strongly emphasizes:
Year-round outdoor recreation
Multi-user trail access
Integration of trails into daily community life
Preservation of open space near town
Sustainable recreation tourism
Youth outdoor programming and endurance sports culture
The department works closely with local recreation groups, outdoor clubs, event organizers, and the broader tourism economy that brands the community as “Ski Town USA.”
Facilities & Contact
Parks & Recreation Headquarters: Steamboat Springs Parks & Rec
Address: 245 Howelsen Parkway, Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Phone: (970) 879-4300
Popular city-managed trailheads include:
Blackmere Trailhead
Spring Creek Trail Head
Emerald Mountain
The system is notable because many trailheads are accessible directly from town neighborhoods, allowing riders and hikers to access extensive singletrack without needing to drive.