Steamboat Springs, CO With over 2,300 feet of Elk River frontage, Elk Riverbend Retreat is a beautiful 27-acre property located a few miles from Steamboat Springs. Tall cottonwood trees cover most of the property, creating a park-like feel. The upper reaches of the property have expansive views of the surrounding Rockies and the Steamboat ski area. On the banks of the river, a rustic cabin provides shelter from summer showers and offers a place to warm up when it’s cold outside. Located in a prime resort area with easy access to town and the regional airport, the Elk Riverbend Retreat is a unique offering in a limited-inventory market.
The Elk Riverbend Retreat is just 7 miles from Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Access is from paved U.S. Highway 40. The location of the property is also convenient to the Yampa Valley Regional Airport, which is a 15-minute drive to the west. Bordered by the Elk River on the entire west boundary and a well-maintained road on the south, the property is very close to town, with prime access to private live water. Over a million acres of National Forest land is within a 10-minute drive. The property is close enough to town to see the lights of Steamboat and night-ski lights at the ski area.
The 27 acres consist primarily of lush, flat bottomlands with a small mesa on the north end. The scenic terrain ranges from the Elk River at 6,500’ in elevation to 6,600’ on the mesa. The owners have carefully managed the land and water resources over the years. The land is pristine and healthy. County regulations require 50’ setbacks from property lines and homes to be built at least 1’ above the base flood elevation, leaving plenty of options for a homesite near the river or on the plateau with views of the ski area. The excellent wildlife habitat attracts a variety of game animals and birds. With over 2,300 feet of Elk River forming the eastern boundary, the property boasts one of the longest privately owned stretches of live water on the lower Elk River. The impressive riparian habitat provides a front-row seat to the nesting grounds of local raptors, wading birds, and waterfowl.
Improvements are minimal, leaving a blank slate for development. The east side of the property has a vintage garage and grain silo shaded by old-growth willow trees. A newer equipment shed with horse shelter is also located here, just below the banks of the Kemmer irrigation ditch. The property is fully fenced and with smooth-wire cross-fencing. Improvements on the river consist of boulder vanes and wood structures that attract and maintain a healthy trout population. A primitive cabin, well-suited for glamping, is situated along the banks of the river.
This area of northwest Colorado is popular for outdoor recreation. With over half of the land in the county under federal ownership, there is a lifetime of hiking, biking, off-property fishing, and hunting opportunities within a few minutes of the property. A bike and walking path stretches from one end of Steamboat to the other, paralleling the Yampa River almost the entire way. World-class skiing is just a few miles away at Steamboat, soon-to-be Colorado’s second-largest ski mountain. Groomed snowmobile trails that stretch into Wyoming are also a short drive away. A handful of mountain lakes are within several miles, providing winter ice-fishing or summer boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding with stunning scenery as the backdrop.
The Charles H. Kemmer Ditch flows from the headgate upstream and through the property, eventually irrigating land south of the highway. 0.75 c.f.s. of water from this ditch adjudicated in 1901 and supplemented in 1923 convey with the property.
Elk Riverbend Retreat is located 7 miles west of the resort town of Steamboat Springs. It is easily accessed via year-round paved roads. State Highway 40 follows the tree-lined Yampa River through the productive river valley meadows. Along the way are several historic ranches, a demonstration that ranching and recreation continue to work hand in hand in this area. The Yampa Valley Regional Airport is a 15-minute drive from the property; its 10,000 ft. runway serves both private and commercial aircraft. During the ski season, direct flights are available from 14 major cities all over the country.
Steamboat Springs, with a population of about 13,000, is a friendly resort community that features many amenities found in larger towns. The Yampa Valley Medical Center is an award-winning, full-service acute care hospital. Steamboat has excellent schools, and a new elementary school, just a few miles from the property, has recently been completed. Colorado Mountain College, an established community college, offers a variety of programs for associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, plus many local-interest classes.
This area of northwest Colorado is popular for outdoor recreation. With over half of the land in the county under federal ownership, there is a lifetime of hiking, biking, off-property fishing, and hunting opportunities within a few minutes of the property. A bike and walking path stretches from one end of Steamboat to the other, paralleling the Yampa River almost the entire way. World-class skiing is just a few miles away at Steamboat, soon-to-be Colorado’s second-largest ski mountain. Groomed snowmobile trails that stretch into Wyoming are also a short drive away. A handful of mountain lakes are within several miles, providing winter ice-fishing or summer boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding with stunning scenery as the backdrop.
With such a long stretch of private Elk River frontage, paved road access, and convenience to town, this property is a rare offering. An abundance of wildlife and a great little riverside cabin add to the appeal. The $200 million expansion of the Steamboat Ski Resort that is nearly complete and the four-season appeal of the area presents an excellent opportunity to own a superb Elk River property in one of Colorado’s best resort towns.
