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SWA · 2026-27 seasons
Sarvis Creek State Wildlife Area hunting, unit by unit
State wildlife area in Routt County; 309 acres.
Photo: Benjamin White (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Sarvis Creek State Wildlife Area
Inside the Sarvis Creek SWA listing
309 acres is the figure the CPW SWA page gives for Sarvis Creek SWA. Rank by area: 164th of the 224 state wildlife areas we cover. It is one of 11 state wildlife areas inside Routt County. It falls in CPW Area 10, Northwest Region, where the Yampa and Steamboat S district wildlife manager patrols. For Sarvis Creek SWA, the page gives 970-870-3333 at the Area CPW Office, Steamboat Springs office. CPW printed deer, elk, dusky grouse, waterfowl under hunting for Sarvis Creek SWA in the 2026 brochure. Fishing line in the brochure: cold-water stream. Recreation entry: hiking, wildlife viewing. Camping is shown as available on the Sarvis Creek SWA page.
Species the agency lists here: Deer, Elk, Waterfowl, Dusky grouse.
Activity icons: Hunting, Fishing, Hiking and Walking, Nature Viewing Facilities Restrooms.
From the agency page, 2026 Recreation Lands brochure, p. 25 (Colorado Parks and Wildlife); retrieved 2026-11-04, checked November 5, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Sarvis Creek State Wildlife Area
Access rules on Sarvis Creek SWA
Like every SWA, Sarvis Creek SWA asks people 16 and older for a Colorado hunting or fishing license or the wildlife area pass. Off-road driving is out, and so is camping outside authorized sites. The stand rule is portable equipment only, placed no earlier than 30 days before the season. No shooting a firearm or bow in parking, camping or picnic areas.
Property restrictions for Sarvis Creek SWA:
- Discharge of firearms or bows is prohibited, except while hunting.
- Camping allowed by licensed hunters during big-game season, plus 3 days before and 3 days after each season.
- Fires allowed within containment structure while camping.
From the agency source, CPW SWA finder; checked November 5, 2026.
Directions and maps for Sarvis Creek SWA
Printed directions: From Steamboat Springs, go 4.5 miles S on Highway 131 to CR 18, then 7 miles SE.
Mapped centre: 40.2924, -106.8044.
Directions from the 2026 Colorado State Recreation Lands brochure; map files from the CPW property page; point from CPW Managed Properties (public access only) layer, CPWAdminData (1 polygon) (polygon centroid); checked November 5, 2026.
Unit map facts for Sarvis Creek SWA
Check the license against the unit; Sarvis Creek SWA falls in 1 GMU: GMU 15.
Bull elk hunters in GMU 15 must count points before shooting. CWD sampling is required for some rifle elk hunt codes in GMU 15. The lion season closes when group 3 reaches its limit.
There is no property-level harvest figure for Sarvis Creek SWA; GMU 15 topped the 2024 unit tables with 502 deer.
| Unit | Animal | Harvest | Hunters | Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 15 | Elk | 407 | 3,738 | 11% |
| GMU 15 | Deer | 502 | 1,460 | 34% |
| GMU 15 | Pronghorn | 7 | 14 | 50% |
| GMU 15 | Black bear | 26 | – | – |
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.
Sarvis Creek SWA: which hunts are open when
20 big game season rows from the 2026 brochures are valid in the units of Sarvis Creek SWA. No draw is needed for the elk OTC rows. Not listed: 10 private-only or RFW rows. Rows for big game not on the Sarvis Creek SWA list (17) are left out.
| Species | Method | Sex | License | Opens | Closes | Units here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk | Archery | either sex | Limited, nonresident | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 15 |
| Elk | Archery | either sex | OTC, residents | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 15 |
| Elk | Muzzleloader | cow | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 15 |
| Elk | Muzzleloader | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 15 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 15 |
| Elk | Rifle | either sex | Limited draw | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 15 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 15 |
| Elk | Second rifle | bull | OTC | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 15 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 15 |
| Elk | Third rifle | bull | OTC | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 15 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 15 |
| Elk | Rifle | either sex | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 15 |
| Deer | Archery | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 15 |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | buck | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 15 |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | doe | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 15 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 15 |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 15 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 15 |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 15 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 15 |
Other listed game
| Bird or animal | Season | Zone | First day | Last day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dusky grouse | Season | West of I-25 | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 |
| Ducks and coots | Season | Eastern zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Jan 15, 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.
Other public ground within reach of Sarvis Creek SWA
Head 2 miles west and you reach Blacktail (Conservation Easement). Around it on the map: 3 SWAs, 2 trust land parcels and 1 state park. Within 25 miles but not open to hunters: Skck State Wildlife Area (Fishing Easement) (CPW lists no hunting), Mount Werner State Wildlife Area (Fishing Easement) (CPW lists no hunting) and Emerald Mountain State Wildlife Area (CPW lists no hunting).
| Name | Kind | Size (ac) | County | Away | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacktail (Conservation Easement) | SWA | 610 | Routt | 2 miles | west |
| Adams SWA | SWA | 650 | Routt | 3 miles | west |
| Stagecoach State Park | State park | 810 | Routt | 3 miles | west |
| Morrison Creek STL | State trust land | 640 | Routt | 8 miles | south |
| Chuck Lewis SWA | SWA | 288 | Routt | 9 miles | north |
| Windy Ridge STL | State trust land | 808 | Grand | 13 miles | east |
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.
Stores, processors and towns for Sarvis Creek SWA
From the Sarvis Creek SWA point, Yampa sits 11 miles away. Steamboat Springs, 13 miles out, is larger, with 13,620 people in 2024. For licenses in person, the Steamboat Springs CPW office is 11 miles off.
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yampa | Routt | 390 | 11 miles | southwest |
| Steamboat Springs | Routt | 13,620 | 13 miles | north |
| Kremmling | Grand | 1,436 | 28 miles | southeast |
| Hot Sulphur Springs | Grand | 654 | 40 miles | east |
| Walden | Jackson | 557 | 41 miles | northeast |
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.
Clock times for hunting Sarvis Creek SWA
The CPW brochures print Denver sunrise and sunset tables with town offsets; the times for Sarvis Creek SWA here are worked out with the NOAA solar formula for its own location.
| Date | Opener | Sunrise | Sunset | Elk window | Duck window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 15, 2026 | Pronghorn bow opener | 6:18 a.m. | 8:08 p.m. | 5:48 a.m. to 8:38 p.m. | 5:48 a.m. to 8:08 p.m. |
| Sep 2, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:35 a.m. | 7:41 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. to 8:11 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. to 7:41 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Muzzleloader opens | 6:45 a.m. | 7:24 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 7:54 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 7:24 p.m. |
| Oct 3, 2026 | Duck season opens | 7:05 a.m. | 6:49 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 7:19 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 6:49 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Second rifle opens | 7:27 a.m. | 6:17 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 6:47 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 6:17 p.m. |
| Nov 23, 2026 | Lion season opens | 7:03 a.m. | 4:46 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:27 a.m. | 4:44 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 5:14 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 4:44 p.m. |
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.
What the region around Sarvis Creek SWA looks like
Sarvis Creek State Wildlife Area hunters: public range plus clubs
For a no-dues line, Sarvis Creek State Wildlife Area hunters head 25 miles to Hayden Shooting Range. After the public range come the nearest clubs within 30 miles.
From the CPW Shooting Range Finder, ranges’ own pages and directory listings, checked November 5, 2026.
Questions about Sarvis Creek SWA, answered
What counties does Sarvis Creek SWA reach into?
Inside Routt County.
What size is Sarvis Creek SWA on the agency count?
The CPW SWA page lists 309 acres.
Which animals does the agency list for Sarvis Creek SWA?
On record: deer, elk, waterfowl and dusky grouse. Seasons and licenses still decide what is open.
Which GMU numbers does Sarvis Creek SWA fall in?
The ground lies in GMU 15, and a big game license must be valid for the unit.
Do elk point rules or CWD testing apply on Sarvis Creek SWA?
Elk point rules: GMU 15. CWD heads must be submitted from selected rifle elk hunt codes in GMU 15, at no charge.
How do I get an elk tag for Sarvis Creek SWA?
Yes: 3 over-the-counter elk rows are valid in these units, for example archery (OTC, residents).
Whom should I phone with questions about Sarvis Creek SWA?
Area CPW Office in Steamboat Springs, 970-870-3333.
Which community sits nearest to Sarvis Creek SWA?
Yampa (11 miles).
What does the bait law mean on Sarvis Creek SWA?
You may not hunt big game over salt, minerals, grain, animal parts or other food, whether or not you placed it.
What must I wear on Sarvis Creek SWA during rifle season?
At least 500 square inches of solid orange or pink above the waist and a hat; archers hunting during rifle seasons wear it too.
Is there an authorized camp area on Sarvis Creek SWA?
Yes, in authorized spots.
When must I stop shooting on Sarvis Creek SWA each evening?
6:14 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for big game on November 7, 2026 (Routt County, NOAA solar formula). See the table above for other dates.
Which pass must I carry on Sarvis Creek SWA?
No separate permit in most cases: a hunting or fishing license (or SWA Pass) for everyone 16+, unless the restrictions here say otherwise.
Where can I read the source for Sarvis Creek SWA?
Read the official source before each trip.
Plan the Sarvis Creek SWA trip
Snow and mud close roads in Colorado without much notice; check access to Sarvis Creek SWA before the drive.
Sources: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4; seasons from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure. Checked November 5, 2026.
Other photos on this page: lostinfog (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).