Summer Adventure Guide: Kremmling, CO
Just north of the ski resorts in Summit County, on route to Steamboat, is the small town of Kremmling. The area experienced a boom in the early 1900s, as ambitious Coloradoans transitioned from ventures in mining to ranching. Modern day Kremmling is still a quaint mountain town, surrounded by rustic homesteads and natural beauty. Its landscape caters to a plethora of summertime, outdoor activities. Since there are nearly an overwhelming amount of adventure options to choose from, below is a list of suggestions for your next visit to Kremmling.
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Hiking:
There are many hiking trails within the area. As a resource I use AllTrails.com. This website lists the length of each hike, describes the level of difficulty, offers descriptions of the scenery, has topographical maps, and provides helpful tips, like how to find the trailhead and where to park. For a moderately difficult hike, near Kremmling, AllTrails suggests Gore Canyon Trail (2.8 miles), Sarvis Creek (10.1 miles) and Silver Creek Trail (23 miles). The only additional information you would need before venturing out is an updated weather report. The trick to hiking in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains is to always be prepared.
Green Mountain Reservoir:
Along the Colorado River, at the northern tip of Summit County and less than 20 miles south of Kremmling, is Green Mountain Reservoir. Its waters flow through the dam to serve communities on Colorado’s Western Slope and generate energy via the hydroelectric power plant. Green Mountain Reservoir is much more than a utilitarian resource; it is one of my favorite destinations. This oasis makes for an excellent day trip on my paddleboard and a wonderful camping location for group outings. While I have to admit the water can be a little chilly, even in July and August, Green Mnt. is one of the rare bodies of water in the mountains that you can swim in without the immediate danger of hypothermia. Often a crowd of party boats and jet skiers can be seen gathering at the base of the cliff jumps and cheering each other to leap.
Hot Springs:
Should you need to warm up or just have a relaxing soak after an excursion to Green Mountain Reservior, there are several hot springs near Kremmling. Within 20 miles of town, you can find Radium Hot Springs and Hot Sulfur Springs. Radium is a small, individual, hot spring pool directly on the side of the Colorado River. It is not uncommon for rafters to take a quick break at Radium; they’ll tie up their boat and hop into the pool. Besides rafting, Radium is accessible via a dirt road and brief hike. Because the pool can be difficult to find, I’d recommend researching your route beforehand or going with an experienced friend. Hot Sulfur Springs are more of a resort setting, with natural and man made pools. There is even a spa on the premise.
Just 60 miles away, Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs are in Steamboat. During the winter, it is a breathtaking experience to soak in the pools surrounded by snow and ice, beneath the starlight sky. However, Strawberry Hot Springs are also beautiful when the flower gardens are in full bloom.
CRR Kremmling Outpost:
With so many options for summertime, outdoor activities near Kremmling, Colorado, your best bet is to rent gear from Colorado River Rentals or book a guided adventure with CRR. CRR offers gear rentals, guided fly fishing, rafting trips and more throughout Colorado. Each trip is customized to the experience you are looking for, whether it is a family-friendly, 3 day float trip on the Colorado River or just a half day of paddleboarding with your friends. For more information on CRR rentals and guided adventures, check out our website or call 970-423-7036.