Go Around the Bend: Steamboat Springs and Sunset Point

We pulled into the Steamboat Springs KOA on Sunday, 9/15. As KOA’s go, this one fit the bill. Close quarters for my taste, but we had big trees for shade and the Yampa River ran right through the campground. Most importantly, we were able to accomplish all of our housekeeping and laundry goals. It turned out the best thing about the Steamboat Springs KOA was Steamboat Springs! 😊

The lovely Yampa River winds through town and the KOA.

We did a walkabout town and really enjoyed it. Touristy enough to have lots of fun shops and restaurants, but with a strong outdoorsy vibe. Best of all we found a pup-friendly brewpub, Stormpeak Brewing Company, which we hit two out of the three nights we were in town. Most excellent!!

Good beer in a pup-friendly venue. We're there.

This is a ski town, in 1915 Norwegian immigrant Carl Howelsen built the first ski jump in Steamboat Springs. Several then world-record-setting ski jumps were made here. Since then the town has sent Olympic hopefuls to all but two Winter Olympics since 1934. A 1947 article said, "The population of Steamboat Springs, Colorado is 1,700. The number of persons who ski is reported to be 1,685. The others are children under one year of age." Lol.

Ski jumps on Howelsen Hill, the oldest ski facility in continuous use in Colorado.

Lucky for us there was also a lovely paved River Trail which we rode on our bikes. Rog also enjoyed the nearby mountain bike trails, at least the downhill part. It could be that we’re a little older, a little heavier, and a lot more out of shape – but I’m going with the elevation here is kicking our butts! Lol. Steamboat Springs sits at almost 7000’ and we are definitely flatlanders. Ugh. It doesn’t take any kind of climbing at all to have us gasping like landed fish. Rog struggled on the uphill but loved the swoopy NPR (No Pedaling Required) downhill trail.

On the Yampa River Trail.

The very stinky Black Sulphur Springs. Rotten eggs anyone?

Rog takes a break from the climb on the mountain bike trail.

Steamboat Springs from above.

NPR - No Pedaling Required.
Let the fun begin!

Our next destination was Rocky Mountain National Park. We debated staying at the campground inside the park, but decided it would be better for Riley if we stayed at a National Forest campground outside the park boundaries. Yes, we make our camping decisions based on the dog. 😊 As much as I love our National Parks, they aren’t particularly dog friendly. Riley isn’t allowed on any trails so his exercise would be limited to walking in circles around the compound on a 6-ft leash. No fun for anyone.

Instead we got an awesome spot at Sunset Point on Granby Lake. We pulled in on Wednesday, 9/18, with plans to stay four nights. We were surprised to find that all the National Forest campgrounds in the area closed for the season at 1pm on 9/22. Whew, we just squeaked in. Winter starts early around here! It seems crazy that everybody is already winterizing when the Aspens are just starting to turn. Sunlight shining through the leaves creates a brilliant blaze of gold on the hillsides.

Yes, this works for us!

The Aspens are starting to color.

Sunset Point was a great choice, lake access for the boy and a HUGE overflow area where Riley could wear himself out chasing the ball. He also got to come along when we hiked a couple miles of the Roaring Fork Trail above Arapaho Bay on Granby Lake.

Sunset Point lives up to its name.
Riley enjoys an evening dip in Granby Lake.

Arapaho Bay on Granby Lake.

Riley on the trail. The tongue is hanging - are we there yet??

And our 4-legged hiker is rewarded with some water time.

Staying outside the park meant a little more driving time for us, but well worth it. We were also close to the town of Grand Lake. Another fun little town that caters to tourists and whose claim to fame is “Open All Year”. Lol. We also stopped by the historic Grand Lake Lodge and enjoyed the view of the largest natural lake in Colorado.

The town of Grand Lake.

Vintage firefighting equipment.
(What? Of course I'm referring to the truck! Lol.)

Grand Lake Resort and a little moose-hugging in the shops.

We made our usual pilgrimage to the closest National Park Visitor’s Center to learn a little about the park and to pick up maps and hiking information. We also learned that the elk are in rut and it’s a big deal around here. Elk jams every evening, as both locals and tourists line the roads near the meadows to watch and listen. The bulls bugle almost nonstop whenever another male is around and are busy keeping their herds of cows in line. It was fun watching the interactions, but the dim light wasn’t the best for picture taking.