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Unit 16

Last Updated: Feb 20, 2025
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Quick Tips

  • Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs
  • Fly fishing - North Platte River
  • North Park Pioneer Museum - Walden
  • Tread of Pioneers Museum = Steamboat Springs
speciesgeneral Sizetrophy potential
Mule Deer140"-160"170"+
Elk270"-300"300"+
Antelope60"-70"70"+

On The Ground

Southwest of Walden are large sections of BLM and thousands of acres of Routt National Forest/Mt. Zirkel Wilderness that are home to herds of deer, pronghorn antelope and elk as well as a substantial population of moose.

A once-in-a-lifetime moose tag produces bulls that reach both Pope and Young and Boone and Crockett minimums. Sanctuaries are created by private ranches.

Terrain

An area of flat prairie, foothills, buttes, long draws, deep canyons, ridges and valleys, open parks rising up to the Park Range along the Continental Divide and headwaters of North Platte River. Rabbit Ears Peak is a distinctive sight from US Highway 40.

  • Roughly 320 square miles

  • 52% public land

  • Elevations from 7,972-11,932 feet

Open prairie with sagebrush, hay fields, willow lined creeks, some cottonwoods, oak brush, ponderosa pine, aspen, spruce and fir.

Routt National Forest and Mount Zirkel Wilderness can be reached off of County Road 24 south of Walden which connects with 45 and 47. Motor Vehicle Use Maps http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ohv/ohv_maps.shtml BLM land can be reached by taking County Road 12W southwest of Walden to County Road 5 a few miles west of the North Platte River and heading south. State lands some 9,000 acres that included fishing areas, Red Canyon is southwest of Walden off County Road 12W to 18 then 4.5 miles west to CR 5 connecting with CR 20 west into oil well area then follow two track about 1 mile. Ridge Road 320 acres located on County Road 5 southwest of Walden. Delaney Butte Lakes on County Road 5 southwest of Walden elk, deer and moose are present during the year. Rabbit Ears 5,000 acres west of Walden on Colorado Route 14 to mile marker 5.9 turn north for .6 mile to parking lot.

  • Prepare for snow during your hunt

  • Four-wheel-drive recommended with chains

  • Wilderness Area is non-motorized

BLM lands offers dispersed camping; Mt. Zirkel Wilderness and Routt National Forest offers improved and dispersed camping. Please refer to following links for specific information http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mbr/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=80838&actid=34 , http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/mbr/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=22482&actid=29 Delaney Butte Lakes improved campsites are available. Walden off Colorado Route 14 and Steamboat Springs on U.S. Highway 40 are the closest towns providing motels, restaurants, cafés, gas, diesel and medical care. Steamboat Springs has a regional hospital and airport.

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