Spring Creek Trail

Another great mountain trail right outside of Steamboat, this can be a great place to spend a morning on a visit to the town. The trail covers a nice elevational gradient, starting out in montane shrubland and riparian and rising up into ponderosa pine forest, aspen woodland, and open meadows. Lower down, look for species like Green-tailed Towhee, Orange-crowned and Virginia’s Warblers, Plumbeous Vireo, and Western Scrub-Jay, and higher up Steller’s Jay, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Dusky Flycatcher, and Violet-green Swallow. The upper sections of the trail are closed in the late fall and winter.

County: Routt

Habitat: Stream, Lowland Riparian, Scrub Oak Forest, Aspen Grove, Ponderosa Forest, Mountain Meadow

Directions: To get to the lower trailhead: In Steamboat Springs, from Lincoln Avenue (US 40) turn northeast on 3rd Street, then right on Fish Creek Falls Road, then left (in 0.3 miles) on Amethyst. Spring Creek Road (CR 34) is on the right in 0.4 miles. Park at the entrance to the road. To get to the upper trailhead: Continue past the lower parking area on Amethyst Drive and bear right at the fork with CR 323 (Strawberry Park Road); turn right on CR 38 toward Buffalo Pass. Park in the designated parking lot on the right at the 5.8 mile mark.

Delorme: 16 D3
Roads of Colorado: 37 D3

Dates of Access: Upper trail closed during the winter
Hours: Any
Ownership: US Forest Service
Admission: Free

Restrictions: None

Parking: Gravel parking area
Lodging: Hotels in Steamboat Springs

Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: None

Elevation: 9690

Latitude: 40.5262735
Longitude: -106.7461279