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Home › Colorado › Public land › Michigan Creek SWA

SWA · CPW-managed ground

Hunt Michigan Creek State Wildlife Area: units, rules and dates

State wildlife area in Park County, 125 acres.

Get driving directionsAll Park County spots

The hero shows Park County, in the same country as Michigan Creek SWA.

Photo: John Spade (CC BY 2.0)

Getting to Michigan Creek State Wildlife Area

Get driving directionsParking on Google MapsTrailheads on Google Maps

Michigan Creek SWA by the numbers

Michigan Creek SWA takes in 125 acres according to the CPW Managed Properties layer. Size places it 192nd out of 224 state wildlife areas in Colorado. 11 state wildlife areas touch Park County, and Michigan Creek SWA is one of the set. Northeast Region, Area 1, Bailey and Fairplay district: that is the CPW chain for Michigan Creek SWA. The 2026 Recreation Lands brochure gives the hunting line for Michigan Creek SWA as big game, small game, waterfowl. Fishing is listed too: cold-water stream. The brochure also notes wildlife viewing.

Hunting opportunities on record: Waterfowl, Small game, Big game.

125Acres
ParkCounty
50, 501GMUs
NortheastCPW region
1CPW area
20Brochure page

From the agency page, 2026 Recreation Lands brochure, p. 20 (Colorado Parks and Wildlife); retrieved 2026-11-04, checked November 5, 2026.

Nearby

Places to hunt and shoot around Michigan Creek State Wildlife Area

Cline Ranch State Wildlife Area

Public land · 8 mi from Michigan Creek State Wildlife Area

Directions
Boreas Pass Ranch Hunting Easement

Public land · 9 mi from Michigan Creek State Wildlife Area

Directions
Pike National Forest

Public land · 18 mi from Michigan Creek State Wildlife Area

Directions
South Park Ranger District, Pike NF

Public land · 18 mi from Michigan Creek State Wildlife Area

Directions
South Platte Ranger District, Pike NF

Public land · 22 mi from Michigan Creek State Wildlife Area

Directions
Colorado Archery Ranges: State Park Lanes, 3D Courses and Bow Clubs

Shooting · 23 mi from Michigan Creek State Wildlife Area

Directions

What Michigan Creek SWA allows and forbids

At 16 and older, entry to Michigan Creek SWA takes a Colorado hunting or fishing license or the SWA Pass. Vehicles stay on roads signed open, and camping is limited to authorized spots. Leave permanent stands at home: portable blinds and stands only, set up within 30 days of the opener. Never fire a gun or loose an arrow in a parking, camping or picnic area.

Restrictions on Michigan Creek SWA:

  • Parking in designated areas only.
  • Day use only, no overnight parking.
  • Discharge of firearms or bows is prohibited, except while hunting.
  • Dogs are prohibited.

From the agency source, CPW SWA finder; checked November 5, 2026.

Where Michigan Creek SWA is and how to get in

Brochure directions: From Jefferson, head 7.2 miles south on CR 77.

Michigan Creek SWA is plotted at 39.3015, -105.7385 on the statewide map.

Show on a map

Directions from the 2026 Colorado State Recreation Lands brochure; point from CPW Managed Properties (public access only) layer, CPWAdminData (1 polygon) (polygon centroid); checked November 5, 2026.

GMUs and unit rules on Michigan Creek SWA

Big game licenses here are sold by unit, and Michigan Creek SWA touches 2 GMUs: GMU 50, GMU 501.

These GMUs sit outside the elk antler point restriction. Mandatory free CWD testing applies to listed rifle elk hunt codes in GMU 50 and GMU 501. For lions, the units fall in harvest-limit group 5.

UnitWhereWatch for
GMU 50Parkelk CWD testing, lion group 5, spring turkey OTC
GMU 501Park, Jeffersonelk CWD testing, lion group 5, spring turkey OTC

CPW publishes harvest by GMU, not by property. In 2024, GMU 50 led these units with 273 elk taken.

GMUGameAnimals takenHuntersSuccess
GMU 50Elk27385032%
GMU 50Deer7422034%
GMU 50Pronghorn175631%
GMU 50Black bear0––
GMU 501Elk12537833%
GMU 501Deer21636859%
GMU 501Pronghorn4944%

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.

Michigan Creek SWA season calendar by GMU

The units of Michigan Creek SWA carry 43 big game seasons this year. You can buy an OTC license for black bear and wild turkey here; other rows are limited. We dropped 2 rows valid only on private land or enrolled ranches. Spring 2027 turkey dates are not published yet, so the spring row is last year's.

SpeciesSeasonSexKindFromToUnits
ElkArcheryeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202650, 501
ElkMuzzleloaderbullLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202650, 501
ElkMuzzleloadercowLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202650, 501
ElkRiflebullLimited drawOct 14, 2026Oct 18, 202650, 501
ElkRiflebullLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202650, 501
ElkRiflecowLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202650, 501
ElkRiflebullLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202650, 501
ElkRiflecowLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202650, 501
ElkRiflebullLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202650, 501
ElkRiflecowLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202650, 501
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateDec 12, 2026Dec 20, 2026501
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateDec 26, 2026Jan 3, 202750
DeerArcheryeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202650, 501
DeerMuzzleloaderbuckLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202650, 501
DeerMuzzleloaderdoeLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 2026501
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202650, 501
DeerRifledoeLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 2026501
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202650, 501
DeerRifledoeLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 2026501
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 2026501
PronghornArcherybuckLimited drawAug 15, 2026Sep 20, 202650, 501
PronghornArcherydoeLimited drawSep 1, 2026Sep 20, 202650, 501
PronghornMuzzleloaderbuckLimited drawSep 21, 2026Sep 29, 202650, 501
PronghornMuzzleloaderdoeLimited drawSep 21, 2026Sep 29, 202650, 501
PronghornRiflebuckLimited drawOct 3, 2026Oct 11, 202650, 501
PronghornRifledoeLimited drawOct 3, 2026Oct 11, 202650, 501
MooseArcherycowLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 30, 202650
MooseArcherycowLimited, splitSep 12, 2026Sep 30, 2026501
MooseMuzzleloadercowLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202650, 501
MooseMuzzleloadercowLimited, splitSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 2026501
MooseSeason choicebullLimited drawSep 12, 2026Oct 14, 202650, 501
MooseSeason choicebullLimited, splitSep 12, 2026Oct 14, 2026501
MooseRiflecowLimited drawOct 1, 2026Oct 14, 202650, 501
MooseRiflecowLimited, splitOct 1, 2026Oct 14, 2026501
Black bearArcheryeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202650, 501
Black bearArcheryeither sexOTCSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202650, 501
Black bearRifleeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202650, 501
Black bearMuzzleloadereither sexLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202650, 501
Black bearMuzzleloadereither sexOTCSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202650, 501
Black bearRifleeither sexOTCOct 14, 2026Nov 22, 202650, 501
Mountain lionAll methods–Group harvest limitNov 23, 2026Mar 31, 202750, 501
Wild turkeySpring–OTCApr 11, 2026May 31, 202650, 501
Wild turkeyFall–OTCSep 1, 2026Oct 4, 202650, 501

Seasons for the smaller game on the list

SpeciesSeasonZoneOpensCloses
Dusky grouseSeasonWest of I-25Sep 1, 2026Nov 22, 2026
Ducks and cootsSeason (split)Mountain zoneOct 3, 2026Jan 31, 2027
Dark geeseSouth Park seasonChaffee, Custer, Fremont, Oct 3, 2026Jan 15, 2027
CottontailSeasonStatewideOct 1, 2026Feb 28, 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.

Mapped neighbours of Michigan Creek SWA

Collard Ranch SWA sits 5 miles west of the Michigan Creek SWA point. Nearby public places include 5 SWAs and 1 trust land parcel. Neighbours closed to hunting: Alma State Wildlife Area (CPW lists no hunting), Badger Basin State Trust Land (CPW lists no hunting) and Badger Basin State Wildlife Area (CPW lists no hunting).

NearbyTypeAcresCountyMilesHeading
Collard Ranch SWASWA1,892Park5 mileswest
Cline Ranch SWASWA1,600Park8 mileswest
Teter-Michigan Creek SWASWA950Park8 milesnorthwest
Tarryall Reservoir SWASWA711Park8 milessoutheast
Boreas Pass Ranch Hunting EasementSWA1,270Park9 mileswest
Mud Springs STLState trust land640Park11 milessouth

Point: CPW Managed Properties (public access only) layer, CPWAdminData (1 polygon) (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Closed places from lands.json closed rows. Statewide public land map.

Michigan Creek SWA: nearby towns, shops and the CPW office

Measured in a straight line, Fairplay is 15 miles from Michigan Creek SWA. For a full-size grocery run, Breckenridge (4,892 people) is the pick. You can reach the Littleton CPW office in about 42 miles of straight line.

TownCounty2024 populationAwayWhich way
FairplayPark75515 mileswest
HartselPark–20 milessouth
BreckenridgeSummit4,89221 milesnorthwest
GeorgetownClear Creek1,25729 milesnorth
LeadvilleLake2,62430 mileswest
CPW Littleton Office

CPW office · Littleton, Douglas County · about 42 mi away

(303) 791-1954Route by mapOpen website
Erik Bear Taxidermy

taxidermy · Fairplay, Park County · about 15 mi away

(719) 836-4568Route by map
Pops Gun Shop

sporting goods · Bailey, Park County · about 18 mi away

(303) 838-4437Route by map
Prestige Ammunition Inc.

sporting goods · Conifer, Jefferson County · about 25 mi away

(303) 670-9416Route by map
Crippen's Processing

meat processing · Lake George, Park County · about 30 mi away

(719) 748-5450Route by mapOpen website
Clark's Processing

meat processing · Florissant, Teller County · about 41 mi away

(719) 689-6427Route by map

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.

Michigan Creek SWA sunrise, sunset and shooting times

Big game light near Michigan Creek SWA starts 30 minutes before sunrise and ends 30 minutes after sunset; turkeys, small game and ducks end at sunset.

DayMarkerSun upSun downElk and deerTurkey and ducks
Aug 15, 2026Pronghorn bow opener6:15 a.m.8:00 p.m.5:45 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.5:45 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sep 2, 2026Archery opener6:32 a.m.7:34 p.m.6:02 a.m. to 8:04 p.m.6:02 a.m. to 7:34 p.m.
Sep 12, 2026Muzzleloader opens6:40 a.m.7:18 p.m.6:10 a.m. to 7:48 p.m.6:10 a.m. to 7:18 p.m.
Oct 3, 2026Duck season opens6:59 a.m.6:44 p.m.6:29 a.m. to 7:14 p.m.6:29 a.m. to 6:44 p.m.
Oct 24, 2026Second rifle opens7:21 a.m.6:13 p.m.6:51 a.m. to 6:43 p.m.6:51 a.m. to 6:13 p.m.
Nov 23, 2026Lion season opens6:54 a.m.4:45 p.m.6:24 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.6:24 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Dec 21, 2026Shortest day7:18 a.m.4:43 p.m.6:48 a.m. to 5:13 p.m.6:48 a.m. to 4:43 p.m.

Clock time: Mountain Daylight Time until Nov. 1, 2026 and from March 14, 2027.

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.

Landscape and game around Michigan Creek SWA

Wood duck and wigeon held for banding
Wood duck and wigeon held for banding
White-fronted geese and wigeon
White-fronted geese and wigeon
Mallards and Canada geese taking flight over a snowy field
Mallards and Canada geese taking flight over a snowy field

Range stops on the way to Michigan Creek State Wildlife Area

Park County Shooting Range (a voluntary $10 a day) is 7 miles from Michigan Creek State Wildlife Area. Beside it sit the closest club ranges inside 30 miles.

Park County Shooting Range
CPW-listed range

Como, Park County · 7 mi

Handles: rifle, handgun, archery, 3D archery, shotgun

Public, donation box · cpw.state.co.us, checked Nov 4, 2026

Camp Fickes Shooting Range
outdoor range

Pine, Jefferson County · 20 mi

Access not stated · gunranges.org, checked Nov 4, 2026

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

Next choices after Michigan Creek SWA

SWA

Collard Ranch SWA

1,892 acres, 5 mi

SWA

Cline Ranch SWA

1,600 acres, 8 mi

SWA

Teter-Michigan Creek SWA

950 acres, 8 mi

SWA

Tarryall Reservoir SWA

711 acres, 8 mi

State wildlife areasAccess programsState trust lands

Michigan Creek SWA FAQ from the agency sources

Is elk on Michigan Creek SWA draw only?

No. All 12 elk rows for these units are limited licenses from the draw.

Which special elk rules cover Michigan Creek SWA?

Free mandatory CWD tests apply to some rifle elk codes in GMU 50 and GMU 501. Antler points do not matter for legality here.

Where should I stay when hunting Michigan Creek SWA?

Fairplay is your nearest base, 15 miles off.

Where do I report trouble on Michigan Creek SWA?

CPW Littleton Office in Littleton, (303) 791-1954 (42 miles away); CPW offices close on state holidays.

Must I wear blaze orange or pink on Michigan Creek SWA?

Yes for firearm big game: 500 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink on the upper body and a matching head covering. Camo orange does not count.

Can I set out bait, salt or grain on Michigan Creek SWA?

No bait for big game, turkey, small game or birds; normal agricultural salt and mineral blocks are the only exception for big game.

When does big game light begin and end on Michigan Creek SWA?

Big game 6:06 a.m. to 5:27 p.m. on November 7, 2026 at the Park County centre; turkey, small game and ducks stop at sunset.

Which agency page should I check for Michigan Creek SWA?

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife page has the current rules.

What does it take to hunt Michigan Creek SWA legally?

The SWA rule applies: 16 and older need a Colorado hunting or fishing license, or the wildlife area pass.

What acreage does the record give for Michigan Creek SWA?

All told it takes in 125 acres.

What part of Colorado holds Michigan Creek SWA?

Look in Park County.

What hunt code unit applies to Michigan Creek SWA?

It overlaps GMU 50 and GMU 501.

What game can be hunted on Michigan Creek SWA?

The agency lists waterfowl, small game and big game.

One last look at Michigan Creek SWA

Property rules, closures and reservation needs on Michigan Creek SWA can change mid-season; posted signs and the agency page have the last word.

Colorado hunting land mapAll public landPark CountyState wildlife areasManaging agency site

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

Other photos on this page: USFWS/Southeast (Public domain); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain); Larry Lamsa (CC BY 2.0).