Yampa River Festival
Jun 1, 2023 - Jun 4, 2023
Since 1980, the Yampa River Festival has been the Friends of the Yampa’s signature event to raise awareness about the wild Yampa River. As predictable as the snow melting every spring, this annual River Fest is held the weekend after Memorial Day, typically on the same weekend as the Steamboat Marathon. Over the years, the festival has evolved to include a variety of recreational events in and around the river as well as parties, fundraisers and speaking functions.
With a gem as priceless as the Yampa River flowing through our back yard it is important to show our respect. The annual Yampa River Festival, held each spring, is the premier opportunity to show our community respect for the river while enjoying spring flows.
The Yampa river flows through 270 miles of northwest Colorado before joining the Green River in Dinosaur National Park. With only a few small reservoirs in it’s upper stretches, the Yampa River flows mostly unimpeded. The wild nature of the Yampa River is unique among the Colorado River system that is otherwise controlled, managed and tapped to it’s limit.
Annually boaters and anglers descend on the Yampa River each spring to achieve greatness in their respective sports. Whether you kayak, raft, tube, canoe, SUP, packraft or float another craft, the Yampa River Festival has something for everyone. And if you aren’t inclined to jump on the water yourself, there are plenty of opportunities to spectate, have a cold beer, some great food and show your respect for the Yampa River at this year’s Yampa River Festival.
Find more information and weekend schedule on the Friends of the Yampa website.
2022 Yampa River Festival Schedule
| Date | Time | Event | Start Location | Event Sponsor | Arrival Time |
| 6/3/2022 | 12-6 PM | Gear Swap at Backdoor Sports | |||
| 6/3/2022 | 6:00 PM | Fish Creek Kayak Race | Mt. Werner Water | CKS Online | 5:00 PM (Hard start at 6pm) |
| 6/4/2022 | 10:30 AM | Pack Raft Race | Charlie's Hole | Backdoor Sports | 10:00 AM |
| 6/4/2022 | 11-1PM | SUP/Kayak Demos at Fetcher Pond | Fetcher Park | 11-1PM | |
| 6/4/2022 | 10:00 AM | Open Class Downriver Kayak Race | Fetcher Park | Yampa River Fund | 9:30 AM |
| 6/4/2022 | 12:00 PM | SUP Downriver Race | Fetcher Park | Hala GearSpace/Online | 11:30 AM |
| 6/4/2022 | 1:00 PM | Raft Race | Fetcher Park | American Rivers | 12:15 PM |
| 6/4/2022 | 2:00 PM | Raft Rodeo | Charlie's Hole | Bar-U-Eat | show up to C-Hole after race |
| 6/4/2022 | 2:30 PM | SUP Cross | Charlie's Hole | Hala GearSpace | 2:00 PM |
| 6/4/2022 | 3:30 PM | Kayak Cross (heats of 3) | Charlie's Hole | GrassSticks | 3:00 PM |
| 6/4/2022 | 4:00 PM | Crazy River Dog | Charlie's Hole | 3:30 PM | |
| 6/4/2022 | 4:30 PM | Tube Rodeo | Charlie's Hole | Hog Island | Be ready at start |
| 6/4/2022 | 5:30 PM | Kayak Rodeo | Charlie's Hole | Backdoor Sports | Be ready at start |
| 6/4/2022 | 6:30 PM | AWARDS; Beer Service Ends | Charlie's Hole | ||
| 6/4/2022 | 7:00 PM | Event Ends and Breakdown | Charlie's Hole | ||
| 6/5/2022 | 10-1 PM | Kayak Slalom | Rich Weiss Park | Good Vibes River Gear | 10:00 AM |
| 6/5/2022 | 4-6 PM | State of the Yampa | Bud Werner Library Hall | American Rivers |
Event Details
- All event registration will be in person this year! Please make sure to show up to the event with enough time to fill out your registration form.
- You will be required to follow all City, County and State regulations concerning COVID-19.
- This year we will be having capacity restrictions to make sure we can all socially distance but stay true to the event we all know and love. Because of this make sure you can watch/participate by registering early, coming when the event starts, and most importantly, volunteering!
- BEER: Beer will be for purchase by token only. Tokens will be sold at tents around the event. No money will be exchanged at the beer tents. Beer will be offered on the Library AND Black Sulphur Spring side.
- Registration details to be announced soon. In the meantime, please email questions to info@friendsoftheyampa.com
