Lodging in Craig Co.

Snowmobiling

Snowmobiling

LOCATION

The Northern Craig Snowmobile System is located in the Bears Ears District of Routt National Forest in Northwest Colorado. Trailheads, of maintained trails leading into the Black Mountain and California Park areas of the Elkhead Mountain Range, are conveniently located approximately 10, 11 and 25 miles north of Craig on Colorado Highway 13. All trailheads are approximately 1 to 2 miles east of the Highway. Maps are availiable at the Trail Head parking lots.

AREA DESCRIPTION

Trail elevations range from approximately 7000 to over 10,000 feet, with snow depths of 4 to 10 feet from late November through April. The area has a wide variety of terrain and scenery, including steep mountains, stands of Spruce, Fir and Aspen trees, and scenic overlook points of the Yampa Valley. At the lower elevations, the trails pass through many large open parks and meadows, and over gently rolling hills. Most wildlife is located below the 8,000 foot elevation during the winter months. Elk, deer and antelope can often be seen in the fields along CO HWY 13 and the country leading to the trailheads.

Location

The Northern Craig Snowmobile System is located in the Bears Ears District of Routt National Forest in Northwest Colorado. Trailheads, of maintained trails leading into the Black Mountain and California Park areas of the Elkhead Mountain Range, are conveniently located approximately 10, 11 and 25 miles north of Craig on Colorado Highway 13. All trailheads are approximately 1 to 2 miles east of the Highway. Maps are available at the Trail Head parking lots.

Area Description

Trail elevations range from approximately 7000 to over 10,000 feet, with snow depths of 4 to 10 feet from late November through April. The area has a wide variety of terrain and scenery, including steep mountains, stands of Spruce, Fir and Aspen trees, and scenic overlook points of the Yampa Valley. At the lower elevations, the trails pass through many large open parks and meadows, and over gently rolling hills. Most wildlife is located below the 8,000 foot elevation during the winter months. Elk, deer and antelope can often be seen in the fields along CO HWY 13 and the country leading to the trailheads.

Registration

Who Needs to Register

Colorado Snowmobile Registration requirements:

All snowmobiles owned an​d operated in Colorado must display current Colorado snowmobile registration stickers when in a person’s possession in a snowmobile staging area or operated in Colorado.

Colorado Snowmobile Use Permit requirements:

Out-of-state residents who bring snowmobiles into Colorado must purchase a Colorado Non-Resident Snowmobile permit which is valid from the date of purchase through the following Sept. 30. These permits can be purchased via mail in request or ordered online. Once purchased, this sticker should be placed on the machine’s outside face of the right front part of the cowling. Since this is only a use permit, no renewal notice will be sent to non-resident permit holders; you must purchase a new permit each year you come to Colorado with your snowmobile.

How to Register

To register your Snowmobile in your name for the first time, complete the Snowmobile Registration Form and return it, along with your proof of ownership,​ to:

Colorado Parks and Wildlife – Registration Unit
13787 South Highway 85
Littleton, CO 80125
303-791-1920
You may also register your vehicle at various snowmobile dealers or Colorado Parks and Wildlife offices. Visit our Snowmobile Registration Agent Location list for the nearest location. Always call ahead to ensure services are available.

Registration Fees

The annual registration fee is $30.25. Registrations are valid Oct. 1 through Sept. 30 each year. This is a flat administrative transaction fee – it cannot be prorated for a partial year’s registration, and will not be subject to refund if the machine is sold or stolen.

Registration Renewals

Registration renewal cards are mailed to currently registered owners each August. Registrations are valid Oct. 1 through Sept. 30 each year. You may also renew your registration online by going to the link on the back of the registration card. You MUST have your registration number to renew online or please call 303-791-1920 to get your information.
Link to register: http://cpw.state.co.us/buyapply/Pages/SnowmobileRegistrations.aspx

Contact Us

If you have questions or would like to check availability, call 970.926.0216 or complete the form below.

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Jennifer Schneider MN

Thanks for the great experience!!! We couldn’t have asked for more perfect snow conditions. So glad mother nature cooperated. The riding options were endless and the scenery breathtaking. This trip will be hard to top, that’s for sure! I hope to make it back again someday! I will cherish the great memories made.

Brett Stanek NE

We had the pleasure of staying at Wild Skies for four nights during the first part of December for a snowmobile trip and the experience could not have been more enjoyable.  Our group has been snowmobiling all over Wyoming and Colorado.  We have stayed at all the major lodges and snowmobiled all the major ranges.  Our experience at Wild Skies trumps all our previous trips.  The snowmobiling is world class.  The terrain is as complex or simple as you want to make it.  Most of the riding we did was within 15 miles of the cabin and it felt like we had the whole area to ourselves.  The cabin accommodations are first class.  Chip and Lisa couldn’t have done a better job making our experience unforgettable.  We’ll definitely be back.

Map

Hard Copy Maps are available at the Black Mountain, Freeman Reservoir and Wilderness Ranch Trailhead Parking Lots. This map is provided for you by the Northwest Colorado Snowmobile Club.

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All photos by Lane Lindstrom-Snowest Magazine.