Quick Tips
- Good fishing in Yampa River and Elkhead Creek
- Hunt away from domestic sheep
- Bear proof your campsite
- Get away from roads
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
| Elk | 260"-300" | 300"+ |
| Antelope | 60"-70" | 70"+ |
On The Ground
This unit is found on northwest Colorado and lies north north of the town of Hayden. Good deer, elk and antelope numbers can be found here but public land is very limited as well as the hunting opportunities. Hunters on private lands do great but locating mature animals in public areas can be a chore.
Hunting pressure can be high on public lands and locating mature animals on these public lands can be tough. Hunters on private lands do good each year.
Terrain
Most of this area is comprised of sage-covered ridgelines that are primarily open with the exception of some north faces where oak brush and timber can be encountered. In the higher elevation portions of the unit to the north large stands of pine and aspen will become quite prevalent. Overall, glassing opportunities are good throughout this area and spot and stalk hunting tactics will work great.
Rouhgly 194 square miles
32% public land
Elevations from 6,400-10,879 feet
Vegetation
The lower land along the Yampa River and Elkhead Creek are covered with sagebrush, shrubs and cottonwoods. Middle elevations have oak brush, grass, sagebrush and ponderosa pines. Higher elevations have aspens, spruce and ponderosa pine with open parks.
Access
This area is largely private lands and locating unpressured hunting areas on public land can be a tall order.
Hunters must check in to hunt 5,239-acre Jimmy Dunn Gulch recreation area.
Snow often falls at high elevations during the first rifle season
Four-wheel-drive recommended on secondary roads
Camping and Lodging
Hunters can park RVs at Yampa River State Park, while Routt National Forest is open to tent camping. Elkhead Reservoir State Park has 15 campsites. Communities with services near the unit include Steamboat Springs to the east and Craig to the west. Craig has more economical lodging than Steamboat Springs. Consider Super 8, Hampton Inn or Elk Run Inn in Craig. Hayden has basic services along U.S. Highway 40 in the south.
Yampa and Elkhead state parks are open mid-April to late November
Yampa Valley Regional Airport is east of Hayden
Four major airlines serve Yampa Valley Regional Airport
Historical Temperatures
High
Low
Moon Phases
March 2025
23
24
25
26
27
28
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5