Slater Park Ranch

The Slater Park Ranch is a high mountain paradise with good county road access from Routt County Road 82.  This is classic elk and mule deer country, and the quality of the game in this property is what any sportsman dreams about. There are approximately 4 miles of Slater Creek running the length of the property.  On this portion of the creek, there is excellent brook trout and cutthroat trout fishing.  Land The many curves and natural holes produce excellent fish habitat and are home to beavers and muskrats alike.  The south boundary is 4 miles of Routt National Forest and makes the views from the base of Elk Head Mountains second to none.   A good mix of long alpine meadows and sagebrush ridges gives way to aspen groves and classic pine forest mixed in along the back edge of the property. Additionally, Green Creek, Grizzly Creek, and Douglas Creek are all tributaries of Slater Creek and offer approximately 1 mile each of live water year-round.  All these creeks on the Slater Park Unit are mostly willow-lined, and Moose have begun to frequent the area as it is not uncommon to see them daily.  The ranch offers excellent summer grazing accompanied by the adjoining forest service grazing permit. The sagebrush ridges on the northeast side of the Slater Park Unit are also home to one of the largest sharp-tail grouse leks in the country, as recognized by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.  The area is also home to an abundance of other wildlife, such as black bears, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, and sandhill cranes in the summer. Recreation The ranch is currently collectively enrolled in the Ranching for Wildlife program with other ranches in the area.  Under current management, the wildlife and habitat are managed for quality to produce better quality feed and habitat as well as older age class elk, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope.   The program allows landowners to maximize their opportunity to utilize their property in exchange for public access on a limited basis.   The ranches do yearly habitat projects such as brush and timber mitigation and water projects to enhance the availability of quality feed and water. Colorado Ranching for Wildlife is a cooperative program with private landowners and Colorado Parks and Wildlife that includes incentives to improve habitat on private land. Landowners create diverse plant communities that benefit wildlife throughout the year by managing grazing systems, working on various habitat improvement projects, and developing viable water sources. These well-managed lands provide essential habitat for various species, including grassland-nesting birds, migratory ungulates such as elk, mule deer, and pronghorn, as well as any other wildlife within the ecosystem and pollinators. The program introduced in 1986 was designed to give public hunters access to private ranches. Still, in turn, a considerable benefit allows private landowners to dictate their season dates for optimal hunting opportunities. For landowners, the elk and pronghorn season is a 90-day season that coincides with any open public season. The Mule Deer season is a 60-day season. The RFW license is a weapon of choice license. RFW is limited to ranches with at least 10,000 contiguous acres that contain a significant number of species for which licenses can be drawn. These species include elk, mule deer, and pronghorn on the Slater Creek Ranch. In addition to hunting, that ranches have a great road system through out the property provides additional recreational opportunities that include hiking, mountain biking, UTV and snowmobiling. Region & Climate The area is known for more than 300 days of sunshine and “Champagne Powder” snow.   The area averages 154 inches annually of normal accumulations.  Winters are beautiful, with the valley remaining snow-covered for most of the season, but the summer and fall keep people coming back year after year to visit the beautiful Rocky Mountains.   Location Northwest Colorado is surrounded by endless beauty and filled with history. The nearest towns include Slater, Craig, Hayden, and Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The Slater Dixon Ranches are 45 minutes from Yampa Valley Regional Airport. The nearby town of Dixon, Wyoming,  has a private airport with a 7000 x 75 ft runway just minutes from the ranch. The town of Steamboat Springs is located at 6,732 ft in elevation in Colorado’s Yampa Valley. It is home to the Howelsen Hill ski area and the Steamboat Ski Resort. Not only is Steamboat known for its legendary skiing & snowboarding, but the nearby hot springs are therapeutic in nature, especially after a long day on the slopes. Located near the city center, the long-standing Old Town Hot Springs is equipped with swimming, soaking pools, and water slides. This experience is worthwhile and fun for all ages.