Need to take a break and cool off? Float, boat, soak and fish your cares away. 

The Yampa River is a popular downtown spot on a hot summer day. Many choose to float down the river by tube, but you’ll also see plenty of paddleboarders and kayakers. Sit back, relax and let the river do the work. 

Casting a line is a great way to instill peace, and fishing options abound in the Yampa Valley. Pick your spot on the public waters along the downtown stretch of the Yampa River, and fish for rainbow and brown trout. Outfitters Steamboat Flyfisher and Straightline Sports, both in downtown Steamboat, offer guided trips, gear and advice from the pro anglers. Stagecoach Reservoir, Pearl Lake and Steamboat Lake all offer fishing options further from town, but still conveniently accessible. 

Those three lakes offer much more than just fishing; camp and hike along the shore, or set out on the water. Stagecoach Reservoir and Steamboat Lake both have marinas offering a variety of watercraft, while Pearl Lake is a more peaceful and wake-free option – perfect for paddleboarding. For all your lake outfitting needs, visit Lake & Company in downtown Steamboat Springs, a location that offers gear and goods dedicated to the lake culture. 

Best for last: for prime relaxation, have a soak in the hot springs. Take your pick between the Old Town Hot Springs, conveniently located in downtown Steamboat Springs, or the Strawberry Park Hot Springs, a rustic retreat found in the mountain wilderness north of town. 

Whatever you choose, the instructions to melt away stress this summer are simple: just add water.