The Yampa River Festival returns to Steamboat Springs this spring for its 45th year. The 4-day event features thrilling water sports competitions, including kayaks, SUP, and rafts.
It’s hosted by the Friends of the Yampa and made possible by a lot of helpful volunteers, of whom they would love additional help (volunteers get a free t-shirt). This year’s festival takes place from Thursday to Sunday, May 29th to June 1st, 2025. It’s a Level 4 Zero Waste Event.
Event Schedule
Events kick off at 6 pm on Thursday with a State of the Yampa Address. There is a gear swap on Friday from noon to 6 pm, followed by the first race of the weekend. The rest of the event schedule is as follows (subject to change):
| Date | Time | Event | Start Location | Event Sponsor | Arrival Time |
| 5/29/25 | Doors open at 6:00 PM, 6:30 start | State of the Yampa Address | Library Hall | Colorado Riparian Association | 6 PM |
| 5/30/25 | 12-6 PM | Gear Swap | Backdoor Sports | ||
| 5/30/25 | 6 PM | Adam Mayo Memorial Fish Creek Race | Mt. Werner Water | Mayo Family | 5 PM (Hard start at 6pm) |
| 5/31/25 | 10 AM | Open Class Downriver Kayak Race | Fetcher Park | 9:30 AM | |
| 5/31/25 | 10:30 AM | Packraft Race | Charlie’s Hole | 10 AM | |
| 5/31/25 | 11 AM | Fly Fishing Downriver Race | Rich Weiss Park | Fishpond | 10:30 AM |
| 5/31/25 | Noon | SUP Downriver Race | Fetcher Park | Hala Gear | 11:30 AM |
| 5/31/25 | 1 PM | Drew Hyde Raft Race | Fetcher Park | Drew Hyde Memorial Fund | 12:15 PM |
| 5/31/25 | 2 PM | Raft Rodeo | Charlie’s Hole | show up to C-Hole after race | |
| 5/31/25 | 2:30 PM | SUP Cross | Charlie’s Hole | Hala Gear | 2 PM |
| 5/31/25 | 3:30 PM | Kayak Cross (heats of 3) | Charlie’s Hole | 3 PM | |
| 5/31/25 | 4:00 PM | Crazy River Dog | D Hole | 3:30 PM | |
| 5/31/25 | 4:30 PM | “Best Tube Rodeo Ever” Tube and SUP Rodeo | Charlie’s Hole | Hog Island Boatworks | Be ready at start |
| 5/31/254 | 5:30 PM | Kayak Rodeo | Charlie’s Hole | Be ready at start | |
| 5/31/25 | 6:30 PM | AWARDS; Beer Service Ends | Charlie’s Hole | ||
| 5/31/25 | 7 PM | Event Breakdown | Charlie’s Hole | ||
| 6/1/25 | 10-1 PM | Kayak Slalom | Rich Weiss Park | GrassSticks | 10 AM |
Other important details:
- All registration is in person.
- Beer and cocktails can be purchased with tokens only, sold at tents around the event.
- It’s encouraged to bring your own 12-16 oz cup for beer (to reduce waste) or buy an I Heart the Yampa Kleen Kanteen at the Friends of the Yampa booth.
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Details
Address: Yampa River, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Email: info@friendsoftheyampa.com
Dates: Thursday-Sunday, May 29 – June 1, 2025
Website: friendsoftheyampa.com/yampa-river-festival/2025-yampa-river-festival