Emerald Mountain SRMA

The Emerald Mountain Special Recreation Area (SRMA) is a day-use only recreation area located near Steamboat Springs.  It provides opportunities for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking in the summer as well as moderately challenging Nordic and back-country skiing in the winter. The Howelson Hill Ski Area, which gave Steamboat Springs the name “Ski Town USA,” adjoins Emerald Mountain and provides additional trails. The trails within Emerald Mountain provide views of Mt. Werner, Sleeping Giant Mountain and other scenic icons of the Yampa Valley while meandering through aspen and pine forests. A seasonal closure is in effect December 1-June 30 to protect wintering and calving elk within the area south of Ridge Trail.  Emerald Mountain is managed as two separate Zones. Zone 1- strenuous activities and Zone 2 - nature experience. No mountain bikes are allowed in Zone 2. Zone 2 and trails south of Ridge Trail are closed Dec. 1 - June 30 for wintering elk.