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Home › Colorado › Public land › Grand Mesa National Forest

Colorado national forest · hunting

Grand Mesa National Forest: where and how to hunt

National forest in Mesa County and 2 more counties, about 345,933 acres.

Get driving directionsAll Mesa County spots

This view was taken inside Grand Mesa National Forest.

Photo: james michael thomas (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Getting to Grand Mesa National Forest

Get driving directionsParking on Google MapsTrailheads on Google Maps

Parking, trailheads and gates near Grand Mesa National Forest

  • Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
  • Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
  • Trickle Park Boat RampBoat ramp · 3.4 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 3.4 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 4.1 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 4.1 mi from the centreDirections
  • Crag Crest East TrailheadParking · 4.2 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 4.4 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 4.5 mi from the centreDirections
  • Eggleston Boat RampBoat ramp · 4.5 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 6.0 mi from the centreDirections

Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.

Grand Mesa National Forest: licenses, dates and restrictions

Hunting on Grand Mesa National Forest follows Colorado rules; the forest page sends hunters to CPW for licenses. The 150-yard rule in 36 CFR 261.10(d) covers residences, buildings, campsites and occupied areas; forest roads and water are off limits as a line of fire. Only routes shown on the Motor Vehicle Use Map are open to motorized travel.

Forest page text: The GMUG National Forests provide millions of acres of diverse habitat across stunning landscapes. These areas offer exceptional opportunities for hunting and recreational shooting in a beautiful natural setting.

Big game hunting draws hunters from just about every state to southwestern Colorado and to the GMUG National Forests. The major big-game species that live in the GMUG National Forests are mule deer, elk, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, moose, black bear and mountain lion. Game bird species include turkey, blue grouse, rock and mourning dove and various waterfowl species.

While the Forest Service does not sell hunting licenses, a license is required to hunt in Colorado. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife and local retailers sell licenses. Visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website for more hunting information.

Target shooting is a fun sport that is allowed on the GMUG National Forests under certain conditions:

From the agency source; checked November 5, 2026.

Nearby

Places to hunt and shoot around Grand Mesa National Forest

Plateau Creek State Wildlife Area

Public land · 12 mi from Grand Mesa National Forest

Directions
Delta County

County · 17 mi from Grand Mesa National Forest

Directions
Cameo Shooting and Education Complex Recreation Area

Public land · 23 mi from Grand Mesa National Forest

Directions
Tilman Bishop State Wildlife Area

Public land · 25 mi from Grand Mesa National Forest

Directions
Sweitzer Lake State Park

Public land · 28 mi from Grand Mesa National Forest

Directions
Escalante State Wildlife Area

Public land · 30 mi from Grand Mesa National Forest

Directions

Grand Mesa National Forest by the numbers

Measured by the USFS EDW Lands Area Statistics, Grand Mesa National Forest runs to 345,933 acres. Sorted by acreage, Grand Mesa National Forest sits at number 11 of the 12 national forests in this guide. Counting Grand Mesa National Forest, Mesa County has 4 national forests.

You can pursue, by the agency list: Elk, Deer, Moose, Bighorn sheep, Mountain goat, Black bear, Mountain lion, Wild turkey, Waterfowl, Doves, Dusky grouse, Upland birds.

345,933Acres
344,513GIS acres
3Counties
40, 41, 52 +GMUs
NorthwestCPW region
7, 16, 18CPW area

From the agency page (USDA Forest Service); retrieved 2026-11-04, checked November 5, 2026.

2026-27 seasons in the units of Grand Mesa National Forest

For Grand Mesa National Forest the season list holds 39 lines across its GMUs. OTC here means black bear, elk and wild turkey; everything else is by limited license. Rows that need private land (19) stay off this table. The spring turkey rows are the 2026 season; CPW has not yet published spring 2027 dates.

GameWeaponSexTypeFirst dayLast dayGMUs
ElkArcheryeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202640, 41, 52, 411 +
ElkMuzzleloaderbullLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202641, 52, 411, 421
ElkMuzzleloadercowLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202640, 41, 52, 411 +
ElkMuzzleloadereither sexLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202640
ElkRiflebullLimited drawOct 14, 2026Oct 18, 202641, 52, 411, 421
ElkRiflecowLimited drawOct 14, 2026Oct 18, 202640, 41, 52, 411 +
ElkRifleeither sexLimited drawOct 14, 2026Oct 18, 202640
ElkRiflecowLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202640, 41, 52, 411 +
ElkRifleeither sexLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202640
ElkSecond riflebullOTCOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202641, 52, 411, 421
ElkRiflecowLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202640, 41, 52, 411 +
ElkRifleeither sexLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202640
ElkThird riflebullOTCNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202641, 52, 411, 421
ElkRiflebullLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202641, 52, 411, 421
ElkRiflecowLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202640, 41, 52, 411 +
ElkRifleeither sexLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202640
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateDec 1, 2026Dec 15, 202640
DeerArcherybuckLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202640, 52, 411
DeerArcheryeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202641, 421
DeerMuzzleloaderbuckLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202640, 41, 52, 411 +
DeerMuzzleloaderdoeLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202641, 421
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202640, 41, 52, 411 +
DeerRifledoeLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202641, 421
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202640, 41, 52, 411 +
DeerRifledoeLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202641, 421
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202640, 41, 52, 411 +
MooseArcherycowLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 30, 202641, 52
MooseMuzzleloadercowLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202641, 52, 411, 421
MooseRiflecowLimited drawOct 1, 2026Oct 14, 202641, 52, 411, 421
MooseRiflecowLimited, lateOct 14, 2026Nov 22, 202641, 52, 411, 421
Black bearArcheryeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202640, 41, 52, 411 +
Black bearArcheryeither sexOTCSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202640, 41, 52, 411 +
Black bearRifleeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202640, 41, 52, 411 +
Black bearMuzzleloadereither sexLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202640, 41, 52, 411 +
Black bearMuzzleloadereither sexOTCSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202640, 41, 52, 411 +
Black bearRifleeither sexOTCOct 14, 2026Nov 22, 202640, 41, 52, 411 +
Mountain lionAll methods–Group harvest limitNov 23, 2026Mar 31, 202740, 41, 421
Wild turkeySpring–OTCApr 11, 2026May 31, 202640, 41, 52, 411 +
Wild turkeyFall–OTCSep 1, 2026Oct 4, 202640, 41, 52, 411 +

Small game and bird seasons for the listed species

GameSeasonWhereOpensCloses
PheasantSeason 2West of I-25Nov 14, 2026Jan 3, 2027
QuailSeason 3West of I-25Nov 14, 2026Jan 3, 2027
Dusky grouseSeasonWest of I-25Sep 1, 2026Nov 22, 2026
Mourning doveSeasonStatewideSep 1, 2026Nov 29, 2026
Ducks and cootsSeason (split)Western zoneOct 3, 2026Jan 31, 2027

Season rows and hunt codes from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, the 2026 Small Game and Waterfowl brochure, the Turkey brochure and the Mountain Lion brochure; property access dates still apply; checked November 5, 2026.

GMU rules that reach Grand Mesa National Forest

GMU overlay for Grand Mesa National Forest (5 units): GMU 40, GMU 41, GMU 52, GMU 411, GMU 421.

GMU 41, GMU 52, GMU 411 and GMU 421 carry the elk antler point restriction. Elk CWD testing GMUs here: GMU 41, GMU 52, GMU 411 and GMU 421 (selected rifle hunt codes). Groups 6 and 9 set the lion harvest limit here.

UnitCountiesRules
GMU 40Mesalion group 6, spring turkey OTC
GMU 41Mesaelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 6
GMU 52Deltaelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 9
GMU 411Delta, Mesaelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 9
GMU 421Mesa, Garfieldelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 6

GMU totals from 2024 give a sense of the game: GMU 421 produced 657 elk.

UnitGame2024 harvestHuntersSuccess
GMU 40Elk30851860%
GMU 40Deer26836374%
GMU 40Pronghorn2533%
GMU 40Black bear10––
GMU 41Elk3481,70220%
GMU 41Deer28857950%
GMU 41Black bear9––
GMU 52Elk2521,42318%
GMU 52Deer5491,00755%
GMU 52Black bear11––
GMU 411Elk13374518%
GMU 411Deer19648541%
GMU 411Black bear5––
GMU 421Elk6573,43219%
GMU 421Deer40693443%
GMU 421Black bear72––

GMU overlay from the CPW Big Game GMU layer; unit rules from the 2026 Big Game brochure; 2024 elk harvest by GMU, 2024 deer harvest by GMU, 2024 pronghorn harvest by GMU, 2024 bear harvest by GMU; checked November 5, 2026.

Grand Mesa National Forest: districts and acres by county

Pick a district: Grand Mesa National Forest has 1.

Ranger districtNFS acresCountiesGMUs
Grand Valley Ranger District345,933Mesa, Delta, Montrose40, 41, 52, 61 +
CountyNFS-owned acres
Mesa County254,599
Delta County89,840
Garfield County1,493

From the agency source, USFS EDW Lands Area Statistics; checked November 5, 2026.

Route and map files for Grand Mesa National Forest

Coordinates used on this page: 39.1003, -107.8972.

Map the point

point from CPW Hunting Atlas Land Management (COMaP) Forest Service polygons inside the USFS EDW proclaimed boundary (polygon centroid of the largest part); checked November 5, 2026.

Supply towns and CPW help near Grand Mesa National Forest

The handiest town is Paonia, 23 miles off in a straight line. A bigger stop is Grand Junction: population 70,554 in 2024. CPW Grand Junction Office is the closest CPW office, about 37 miles.

TownCountyPeople (2024)DistanceDirection
PaoniaDelta1,46423 milessoutheast
DeltaDelta9,68826 milessouthwest
RifleGarfield10,66331 milesnorth
SiltGarfield3,72734 milesnortheast
Grand JunctionMesa70,55436 mileswest
CPW Grand Junction Office

CPW office · Grand Junction, Mesa County · about 37 mi away

(970) 255-6100Plot the wayBusiness web
Grand Mesa Archery

sporting goods · Cedaredge, Delta County · about 12 mi away

(970) 856-4346Plot the wayBusiness web
Winter Hawk Outfitters

guide or outfitter · Collbran, Mesa County · about 14 mi away

(970) 487-3011Plot the way
West Elk Archery

sporting goods · Eckert, Delta County · about 18 mi away

(970) 835-8701Plot the wayBusiness web
Taxidermy Rock Angel

taxidermy · Paonia, Delta County · about 23 mi away

(970) 929-5356Plot the way
Big Creek Taxidermy

taxidermy · Delta, Delta County · about 27 mi away

(970) 210-3331Plot the way

Towns from places.json (Census 2024 estimates); CPW offices from the CPW Contact Us page; businesses from services.json listings; straight-line miles. Checked November 5, 2026.

Grand Mesa National Forest and the land around it

If Grand Mesa National Forest is busy, Vega State Park lies 10 miles to the northeast. Close by you will find 4 SWAs, 1 state park and 1 recreation area. No hunting at Jerry Creek Reservoirs State Wildlife Area (CPW lists no hunting).

PlaceTypeAcresCountyStraight lineWhich way
Vega State ParkState park944Mesa10 milesnortheast
Plateau Creek SWASWA1,346Mesa12 milesnorthwest
Mogensen Ponds SWASWA11Mesa14 milesnorthwest
Bill Patterson SWASWA4Garfield23 milesnorthwest
Cameo Shooting and Education Complex Recreation AreaRecreation area5,652Mesa23 mileswest
Tilman Bishop SWASWA113Mesa25 mileswest

Point: CPW Hunting Atlas Land Management (COMaP) Forest Service polygons inside the USFS EDW proclaimed boundary (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Closed places from lands.json closed rows. Statewide public land map.

Game and terrain near Grand Mesa National Forest

Basalt cliff edge of Grand Mesa above forest and aspens, Grand Mesa National Forest
Basalt cliff edge of Grand Mesa above forest and aspens, Grand Mesa National Forest
Golden aspen forest rolling toward a distant mesa in fall, Grand Mesa National Forest
Golden aspen forest rolling toward a distant mesa in fall, Grand Mesa National Forest
Creek running over rocks below forested slopes near Lands End, Grand Mesa National Forest
Creek running over rocks below forested slopes near Lands End, Grand Mesa National Forest

Shooting-light table for Grand Mesa National Forest

Walk-In Access properties open an hour before sunrise and close an hour after sunset, two hours for waterfowl, deer, elk and pronghorn hunters.

DayMomentFirst sunLast sunRifle hoursShotgun hours
Aug 15, 2026Pronghorn bow opener6:26 a.m.8:11 p.m.5:56 a.m. to 8:41 p.m.5:56 a.m. to 8:11 p.m.
Sep 2, 2026Archery opener6:43 a.m.7:45 p.m.6:13 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.6:13 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Sep 12, 2026Muzzleloader opens6:51 a.m.7:29 p.m.6:21 a.m. to 7:59 p.m.6:21 a.m. to 7:29 p.m.
Oct 3, 2026Duck season opens7:10 a.m.6:55 p.m.6:40 a.m. to 7:25 p.m.6:40 a.m. to 6:55 p.m.
Oct 24, 2026Second rifle opens7:31 a.m.6:24 p.m.7:01 a.m. to 6:54 p.m.7:01 a.m. to 6:24 p.m.
Nov 23, 2026Lion season opens7:05 a.m.4:56 p.m.6:35 a.m. to 5:26 p.m.6:35 a.m. to 4:56 p.m.
Dec 21, 2026Shortest day7:29 a.m.4:54 p.m.6:59 a.m. to 5:24 p.m.6:59 a.m. to 4:54 p.m.

Lion hunting hours match big game.

Hours rules from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure and the Small Game and Waterfowl brochure; sunrise and sunset worked out for this location with the NOAA solar formula (Mountain Time); checked November 5, 2026. Legal hours for every county.

Public and private ranges before Grand Mesa National Forest

Mesa County holds the CPW-listed range nearest Grand Mesa National Forest: Cameo Shooting and Education Complex (23 miles). Beside it sit the closest club ranges inside 30 miles.

Cameo Shooting and Education
Complex
CPW range

Palisade, Mesa County · 23 mi

Set up for: rifle, handgun, sporting clays, 5-stand, shotgun

Open to the public · cpw.state.co.us, checked Nov 4, 2026

Cedaredge Rod & Gun
Club
gun club

Cedaredge, Delta County · 13 mi

Set up for: trap, sporting clays, rifle, handgun, rimfire

Members only · boisegunclub.com, checked Nov 4, 2026

Colorado West Gun Club
gun club

Hotchkiss, Delta County · 23 mi

Set up for: trap, skeet, handgun, rimfire, archery

Access not stated · boisegunclub.com, checked Nov 4, 2026

From the CPW Shooting Range Finder, ranges’ own pages and directory listings, checked November 5, 2026.

Similar hunting places near Grand Mesa National Forest

National forest

Gunnison National Forest

1,666,609 acres, 48 mi

National forest

Uncompahgre National Forest

952,961 acres, 52 mi

National forest

White River National Forest

2,289,637 acres, 64 mi

National forest

Manti-La Sal National Forest

27,051 acres, 75 mi

National forestsState trust landsWildlife refuges

Grand Mesa National Forest in brief, question by question

Which game management units cover Grand Mesa National Forest?

The CPW GMU layer gives GMU 40, GMU 41, GMU 52, GMU 411 and GMU 421.

What animals can be hunted on Grand Mesa National Forest?

Elk, deer, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, black bear, mountain lion, wild turkey, waterfowl and doves.

Is there OTC elk on Grand Mesa National Forest?

Not entirely; 2 OTC rows apply, such as second rifle (OTC), and the rest need the draw.

Is CWD testing required for elk from Grand Mesa National Forest?

GMU 41, GMU 52, GMU 411 and GMU 421: mandatory CWD sampling for listed rifle elk hunt codes. Antler point rule: GMU 41, GMU 52, GMU 411 and GMU 421.

Which town makes the best base for Grand Mesa National Forest?

Paonia, about 23 miles away in a straight line.

Which CPW contact handles Grand Mesa National Forest?

CPW Grand Junction Office in Grand Junction, (970) 255-6100 (37 miles away). Poaching tips can go to CPW Turn In Poachers.

Orange or pink on Grand Mesa National Forest?

Solid orange or pink, at least 500 square inches above the waist, and a hat, for firearm deer, elk, pronghorn, moose and bear.

May I use food lures for bear on Grand Mesa National Forest?

No. Food-scented sticks are illegal for bear, and knowingly luring bears with food breaks C.R.S. 33-6-131.

What legal shooting hours apply on Grand Mesa National Forest in November?

Big game: half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. On November 7, 2026 that works out to 6:17 a.m. to 5:38 p.m. in Mesa County (NOAA solar formula).

Is there an official website for Grand Mesa National Forest?

Yes, run by USDA Forest Service: the official page.

Is there an entry fee or permit for Grand Mesa National Forest?

A CPW license valid in the unit. Federal land managers do not issue hunting permits here.

Roughly how much country does Grand Mesa National Forest take in?

About 345,933 acres in all.

Which county sheriff and county roads serve Grand Mesa National Forest?

GIS puts it in Mesa County, Delta County and Garfield County.

Grand Mesa National Forest: double-check list

Confirm your hunt code, GMU and the open dates for Grand Mesa National Forest before you load the truck.

Public land pinsEvery Colorado placeMesa CountyNational forestsSource website

Sources: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4 · source 5 · source 6; seasons from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure. Checked November 5, 2026.

Other photos on this page: DrunkDriver (CC BY-SA 3.0); Michael Kwok (CC BY 2.0); Clyde Charles Brown (CC BY-SA 4.0).