History and Recreation in the Craig Colorado Area

Situated in the northwest corner of the state, Craig Colorado was home to Native American Indians before trappers and settlers began moving here in the mid 1800's. This area was first explored by the Ashley Expedition, led by Jim Bridger, a famous mountain man, trapper and guide in 1825.

Built on the banks of the Yampa River, Craig's growth was attributed to the cattle ranching industry and businesses to support trade with settlers in this region. Craig was finally incorporated as the Moffat County seat in 1908.

Craig is home to the Museum of Northwest Colorado that has collections of gunfighter and cowboy artifacts, many outlaws like the Wild Bunch called this area home. Outlaws were fond of the isolation in this region making it a good place to hide from the law.

Craig Colorado, has some of the best big game hunting in Colorado. The Routt National Forest and rolling hills of this area are home to antelope, deer and elk making over 30,000 hunters flock here every hunting season. This area is the winter range for thousands of elk that come down from the Routt National Forest every fall. The wide open spaces are great for four-wheeling and glassing large expanses of sage covered terrain while hunting.

Altitude in this area varies from 6,300 ft in lower lying desert to 12,000 ft in the Routt National Forest. Hunting pressure can be heavy in the area around Craig and Maybell but there is lots of room to hunt. Hiking away from roads over a couple of ridges can greatly improve your success. There are also hike in only school land parcels that are quit good. Make sure that you don't trespass on private land by checking maps.

Maybell, a short drive from Craig, is well known for its antelope hunting and excellent late season elk and deer hunting. There are wildlife ranches in Craig and Maybell that work together with the Colorado Division of Wildlife. They receive tags for their own use (guided hunts) but have to let so many residents in to receive them. Kind of a win win for everyone. Mostly residents have access to cow and doe tags but a few lucky people with enough points can draw a bull or buck on these ranches.

If your an out of state hunter and go on a guided hunt late November through January, get ready to see more game than you are probably used to. I could not believe the size of some of the herds that I saw. It takes patience to make sure that your animal is alone and not in front of another before you shoot. It is a nice change to see elk and deer out in the open roaming the sage and pinion like antelope, instead of in the dense, steep terrain that they are usually in.

Bring good binoculars as you will spend much time glassing vast areas looking for animals to stalk. Expect to cover many miles four-wheeling and on foot and make sure that you bring tire chains and extra gear if you become stranded.

Weather can get nasty with snow and heavy rain in this high desert terrain so take precautions, especially if you get into wet adobe soil.

A good adjustable shooting stick that will be useful when hunting in areas of tall sage brush is a necessity.

The Green River hunt units, 1, 2, 10 and 201, to the west of Craig Colorado, are regulated as trophy units and will take a considerable amount of points to draw but are excellent if you do manage to get a license.

Mountain biking is also quit popular as there is an 85 mile trail that follows the Yampa river clear to Dinosaur National Monument. Craig Colorado is a great place for all outdoor activities like hiking, camping, fishing and four-wheeling as well.

Get a map here for directions and different area views.

For more information go to the Craig Colorado Chamber of Commerce.

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