Welcome to SmithRancho - Colorado Trophy Hunts

Reserve Now:
1 (970) 824-2631 srancho@msn.com

Smith Rancho
P.O. Box 215
Craig, CO. 81626

NOTICE:
2008 Hunting License Fees Are In!!

Locating the Morgan Creek Ranch

Smith Rancho is approximately ten miles north of Hayden, CO. Upon entering Hayden, CO, from the east, drive a couple of long blocks staying on the same main highway (Hwy 40) until you enter the downtown area of Hayden (it’s about three long blocks). Turn right when you come to a sign that points to the California Park Road. The sign is a big green one and it will be very hard to miss. You will drive about a mile and a half and go over a small bridge over the Yampa River. Then there’s a fork in the road—turn right again—staying on the California Park Road (it’s very well marked). Several more miles you will come to another fork in the road. This time go left (it’s also well marked—California Park Road). Continue on staying on the main road until you come to a huge gate on the right marked SMITH RANCHO, INC. Turn in and continue on the private road—don’t turn left where all the red buildings are—that’s the bunkhouse and headquarters. Our ranch house is located one mile from the main gate.

Terrain, What to Bring & License Info.

We hunt in both Moffat and Routt counties. The altitude varies from about 6500 ft north of Craig to about 7000-7500 ft in the area around our Morgan Creek headquarters (10 miles north of Hayden on the California Park Road) which is close in proximity to the Routt National Forest.
Our terrain north of Craig is rolling hills and lots of sage brush. Up at Morgan Creek you will encounter parks and meadows surrounded by aspens and pines, and many wooded mountains.

Equipment for Hunting

Sleeping bag

Rifle/bullets

Hunter’s safety card (if needed)*

Must wear blaze orange vest and hat

Hunting license

Canteen

Camera

Hunting knife

Seasonal clothing (call)

Warm boots

*It is important to note that you must have a Hunter’s Safety card in order to hunt in Colorado. Anyone born after January 1, 1949 must bring this card. A hunter must be at least 14 years old to purchase a license.

Yampa Valley Regional Airport

The Yampa Valley Regional Airport, located a few miles east of Hayden, Colorado, and about 22 miles west of Steamboat Springs, is the commercial service airport for all of Northwest Colorado. Located off Highway 40, this airport handles commercial flights as well as private service. YVRA hosts these six airlines:

American (winter only)

Delta (winter and fall)

Continental (winter and summer)

Northwest (winter only)

United (winter only)

United Express (year-round)

During the ski season, the middle of December through March, these four major airlines provide direct service from Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, Newark, Minneapolis, and Denver.

Continental serves this airport from early June to early September from Houston, TX. while Delta Airlines provides services from early September to the start of ski season in mid-December from Salt Lake City.

United Express provides commuter service year round to Denver.

Processing Big Game

There are approximately four meat processors in the Craig area—all located about a half hour’s drive from the ranch. They will cut up, wrap, etc. all of your meat to your specifications for approximately $225.00 for an elk. We will take you and your game to town. Usually they can have your meat cut up, wrapped, and frozen in one to two days.