Things to do in Craig, Colorado

Set amongst the rolling hills and high plains of the Western Slope of Colorado, the small town of Craig has a fascinating history where cattle rustlers and bandits abounded; cowboys and gunfighters faced each other down; and farmers and ranchers scratched out a living. The Federal definition of a “frontier” is 6 people per square mile – in Moffat County, there are 2.56 people per square mile! If you’re looking for the western frontier, this is where you want to be!

While staying in Craig, a visit to the Museum of Northwest Colorado is a must. The museum, housed in the former Colorado State Armory, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and features the Cowboy & Gunfighter Museum that showcases a collection of nearly a thousand “working cowboys” artifacts.

Visit Craig during Memorial Day Weekend in May and celebrate the “Grande Old West Days”. This popular annual festival features parades, rodeos, bull riding, team roping, dances, street vendors, arts and crafts displays, carnival rides, western history displays, unique cuisine and a country music concert.

The Little Britches Rodeo is on 4th of July weekend while the “Ride and Tie Rodeo,” the Moffat County Fair, is usually held the first week in August.

In addition, outdoor recreation possibilities surround Craig. In the summer months, you might choose to hike, fish, canoe, swim, whitewater raft, dirt bike, take wildlife photos, four-wheel drive, mountain bike, horseback ride, golf, and kayak.

The Craig City Park facilities include a swimming pool, wave pool, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts as well as a playground and picnicking area.

The Yampa Valley Golf Course winds along the scenic Yampa River. While golfing, you might see elk, eagles, deer, geese and a large variety of birds among the wildlife that abound here. Loudy Simpson Park, south of Craig along the Yampa River, has hiking trails, great fishing spots, a place to launch your raft or canoe, groomed cross-country ski trails and snowmobile trails in the winter and an enclosed ice skating rink.

The Yampa River State Park encompasses the Elkhead Reservoir where you can choose to enjoy flat-water sports such as water skiing, or in the winter, ice fishing.