The Colorado Cabin's Guidebook

The town of Meeker averages 56 inches of snow per year, but as you venture up County Road 8, there tends to be more snowfall and longer melt times. The Colorado Cabin is located up above the paved and maintained County Road 8 and has a fairly short but steep driveway. During winter months November-March, snow and ice are likely and we recommend traveling with an AWD or 4WD vehicle to make it up and down the driveway. If the vehicle doesn't have the traction to go up and down the driveway, you can park it at the bottom, and it is roughly a 70-meter walk up the hill.

Colorado weather can be very unpredictable. We highly recommend packing in layers and bringing a light jacket in the Summer months, too. Sweatshirts and flannels for the evenings and a good pair of hiking boots will serve you well. If you plan to go fishing or spend time at Lake Avery or Trapper's lake, be sure to include swimwear and water shoes, too!

If you enjoy fishing, be sure to look into the public fishing in the area, but be mindful that there are expansive stretches of private water that prohibits fishing. If you are staying at the Colorado Cabin, public river access begins just one mile up and also one mile down from the cabin. There are countless nearby likes and high mountain lakes that offer public fishing. Lake Avery is the closest and just one mile up. Don't forget to purchase a fishing license for everyone fishing - if you don't have one, you can buy it via this link - https://bit.ly/3tRp2ni - or in town at Ace Hardware.

If you're interested in renting snowmobiles during the Winter months - send us a message, and we can let you know what we have available. The Flat Tops and up the Buford New Castle Road make for an epic day on the tracks!

The Colorado Cabin has limited parking for multiple trailers, but we have several other spots nearby that parking trailers for HOV, snowmobiles, and hunting equipment that are available year-round.

If you're headed up river towards the Colorado Cabin be mindful of the wildlife crossing the road. The deer and elk can be tricky to spot so drive with caution. There are also quite a few turkeys in the area that don't seem to fear approaching vehicles. Drive carefully!

Sunlight Mountain in Glenwood Springs - Sunlight gives you a full day of skiing for about half the cost of the mega resorts. You’ll park for free, walk to the lifts, and never stand in line. Without the big crowds, our powder lasts for days. All 67 trails lead right back to the lodge where you can stow your gear, meet your family and friends, and get something hot and delicious at the grill. No hassles. No hype. It’s exactly why you go skiing or riding. Steamboat Springs Resort roughly 1.5 hours away.

Each fall, starting as early as August 15 some years, elk enter their breeding season, or rut. The rut continues for about a month in length, and that month is typically September, with the middle of the month the height of the rut. Be on the look out for large heads of elk and remember to keep your distance.

Sable Mountain Outfitters offers quality, personalized horseback trips into the Flat Tops Wilderness and White River National Forest in beautiful Northwestern Colorado near Meeker. They will offer you the ultimate high country experience! Book an outfitted day trip - you will be glad you did - https://sablemountainoutfitters.com

The Ute Indians at one time referred to the White River as the "Smoking River" because of its occasional fog covered mornings in the spring and fall. The White River valley, located in northwest Colorado near Meeker, was a special place to the Utes because of its beauty and abundance of wildlife - treat yourself and your family to a guided fishing trip. Contact John Wix to inquire about a day of fishing - 970-270-5690

Meeker, Colorado is home to the “Wagon Wheel OHV Trail - East” featuring over 250 miles of trails and 16 interconnecting loops in the White River National Forest. This trail system offers visitors a wonderful mix of natural and cultural history, with spectacular views, rugged mountain trails, abundant wildlife, and many historic sites. Rio Blanco County and Meeker, Colorado are “OHV friendly” allowing OHV travel on city streets and designated county roads, providing easier access to trails. The trail system offers a variety of trail difficulties ensuring all skill levels will enjoy their ride

Experience over 360 miles of OHV trails in Rangely on the White River Bureau of Land Management! Trails are located between 4 to 35 miles from the center of town and most are accessible without trailering. The trails range from mostly groomed to loose gravel and mild to wild.

Connecting the towns of Meeker & Yampa, the Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway showcases the White River National Forest’s long history of multiple-use land management and remains a “working byway” providing access to public lands as well as rangeland for local sheep and cattle ranchers. The 82 mile drive is accessible with any passenger vehicle (during summer) and is an ideal location to view pristine scenery and wildlife. Read more about the byway here: www.colorado.com/byways/flat-tops-trail Check out this video and road trip! https://www.colorado.com/colo-road-trips/flat-tops-wilderness-meeker

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 - SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 Premier event for NW Colorado featuring a World Class Sheepdog Competition - 130 Dog/Handler Teams compete against tough Meeker Sheep. Artisan, Craft and Food Festival, Art Contest and Silent Auction, Daily demos - arts, dogs, cultural and more Ute Park Highway 13 Meeker, CO 81641

Be sure to plan a visit during late September / early October to witness the White River Valley undergo a fabulous change of color. With Colorado weather there is no guarantee that the leaves will stick around for long, so plan ahead and be sure to bring your camera!

Anglers can access the White River from the Colorado 13 Bridge and east towards the Nelson-Prather, Meeker City Park and the Sleepy Cat Access points. There is no shortage of access to the main flow of White River along Highway 13 and County Road 8, especially near the towns of Meeker and Buford. The South Fork in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area is the place to go for a more wild experience, and is accessible from the South Fork Campground. Access to the 20 miles of South Fork is by trail that is relatively level and stable enough to hike.

Meeker provides some of the best elk and mule deer hunting in Colorado. Out of all of the adventure seeking thrills that the Meeker, Colorado area is known for, Big Game Hunting tops the charts! Guided hunting opportunities in the area include; elk, mule deer, moose, pronghorn antelope, bear, and mountain lion. Hunters encounter terrain ranging from lower elevations of 6,000 feet climbing to several mountain peaks exceeding 12,200 feet in the Flattops. Thousands of acres of public lands provide the hunters with plenty of space to set up camp. --> CPW Hunting Atlas to see migration pattern