Today, Steamboat Springs proudly boasts the name Bike Town USA and is recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community. But it hasn’t always been this way. Just 3 short years ago the few trails that did exist lacked upkeep and signage, leaving both locals and visitors lost in the woods.
In 2013, Referendum 2A was passed by local voters, re-purposing a large portion of a municipal accommodation tax to develop area trails. Amounting to $5.1 million dollars over a ten-year period. Just 3.5 years after the tax was passed the improvements are monumental and the tourists are starting to take notice.
New Mountain Biking Trails
Many new mountain bike trails have been constructed on Emerald Mountain and appeal to a broader target of less extreme riders. The new 4-mile, mellow, Morning Gloria trail takes you to the top of the Quarry and won’t leave you breathless. New one-way downhill only trails, the first of their kind in Steamboat, popped up last summer on Emerald. And next on the docket is six miles of single track on Buff Pass scheduled to open officially this summer. Approximately 34 more miles are planned before the project is completed in 2018.
In addition to the single track trails bike lanes have sprung up, new signage on the 7.5 mile stretch of core trail, and the two BMX parks in Steamboat (yes we actually have two) are almost unrecognizable. It is safe to say that Steamboat has earned the title “Bike Town USA.”
Mountain Bike Trails and Maps
Road Rides Maps
BMX Courses
Downhill Rides
Mountain Bike Races in Steamboat
June 7 – Aug 20: Town Challenge: A seven week summer series More Info
August 13: Steamboat Stinger: 50 mile race on Emerald Mountain trail system More Info
September 9-10: Enduro-X Race: Downhill Race at Steamboat Bike Park
Road Races in Steamboat
July 22: Tour de Steamboat: 26-110 mile road ride More Info
September 3: Steamboat Stage Race: Competitive road, Mountain, and Cyclocross More Info
BMX Race Series in Steamboat
June 15-August 17: BMX Race Series More Info