Routt County Route 18

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Views

Pit toilets at the Yampa Parking Area at approximately Mile 3.4 and at the dam at Mile 3.8. Cars are allowed on the route, but you should only see a few even on a busy day.

This is a beautiful and relatively easy doubletrack that starts about 15 miles from Steamboat Springs, where the paved portion of Routt County Route 18 ends. You can ride from town, and I recommend taking Hwy 131 or CR 14 (River Road) to gravel roads 14E and 14B, then to RCR 18. You can also park at the end of the pavement on RCR 18 and start riding from there.

I've ridden it each direction as part of the Tour de Steamboat gravel routes, and the uphill direction (shown here) is better for a gravel bike. You can definitely ride a gravel bike the opposite direction (downhill), but there are A LOT of potholes and you may want some front suspension and wider tires.

The first couple miles wind through the woods and give you some nice cover. Then, you'll turn right and be a little more exposed as you head up along the Yampa River to the dam at Stagecoach Lake. So, you'll be a bit warmer, but the views both right (Blacktail Mtn) and left (the Yampa) are amazing.

You'll also usually see a lot of hikers and fishers at this point, as there are several trails and river access points along the route.