Craig calls itself the Elk Hunting Capital of the World, and the claim has teeth. Moffat County holds two of North America’s largest migratory elk herds, and hunters here have nearly 2 million acres of public land within reach: BLM ground, the Routt National Forest, and a scattering of State Wildlife Areas. When the fall hunt comes around, the question is not whether the elk are there. It is where you sleep, where you process meat, and where you refuel between dawn and dusk in the field.
Tunatua RV Resort opens August 1, 2026, about 2 miles from downtown Craig. Its inaugural season is this fall’s hunt. Instead of dry, serviceless dispersed camping deep in a unit, you get a basecamp with RV sites, hot showers, and laundry, minutes from gas, groceries, and game processing in town. Here is how to build your 2026 hunt around it.
Why Craig Is the Elk Hunting Capital
Two Major Herds and Nearly 2 Million Acres
Craig promotes itself as the Elk Hunting Capital of the World, and the country around it backs the title. Moffat County is home to two of North America’s largest migratory elk herds, and hunters here can access nearly 2 million acres of public land. That public ground includes BLM tracts, the Routt National Forest, and several State Wildlife Areas spread across the region. The mix of high mesas, sage parks, and timbered drainages gives elk room to move and gives hunters a deep menu of country to work through a long season.
Moffat County Units and the GMU Map
The big-game country around Craig falls into Moffat County’s game management units, including units 11, 12, 13, and 211. Units 12, 13, and 211 sit closest to Craig and are the ones most DIY elk hunters work from a basecamp here. Unit boundaries do not line up with city limits, so the right move is to pull the current Colorado Parks and Wildlife GMU map and the CPW Hunting Atlas, identify the public land in your chosen unit, and plan access from there. The Atlas layers public and private boundaries, access points, and habitat over the units so you can scout from basecamp before you ever leave the truck. From the park, GMU 13 access runs roughly 20 to 45 minutes, GMU 211 about 30 to 60 minutes, and GMU 12 about 35 to 60 minutes, depending on the access point, with BLM ground throughout all three. Confirm public access and property boundaries with OnX or the Colorado Hunting Atlas before you head out.
An RV Basecamp Beats a Remote Camp
Craig is a full service town: gas, groceries, lodging, and game processing are all here, along with the Craig Chamber’s Sportsman Information Center at (970) 824-3046 for BLM and forest maps and license help. That changes the math. Instead of dispersed camping deep in a unit with no water, no power, and no way to clean up, you stage at Tunatua about 2 miles from town, run out to your unit at first light, and come back to hot showers and laundry. Steamboat Springs is about 40 minutes east on US-40 if you need a larger town.
Tags, Public Land, and the 2026 Season
Northwest Colorado is one of the most accessible elk hunts in the country, but the details matter. Here is how tags, public land, and the season windows line up around Craig for 2026. For a deeper walk-through of season strategy, GMU selection, and tag applications, read our Northwest Colorado elk hunting guide.
Over-the-Counter Bull Elk Tags
The Craig Chamber bills the area as having the nation’s only over-the-counter bull elk tags, available for archery and for the 2nd and 3rd rifle seasons. That means qualifying hunters can buy a bull elk license without drawing it, which is rare in the West and a big part of why Moffat County draws hunters from everywhere. Deer and pronghorn here are generally limited or draw-only, so plan those further ahead. Always confirm current tag types and license availability at cpw.state.co.us before you commit, since rules and over-the-counter status can change year to year.
Public Land: BLM, National Forest, and SWAs
Your hunt will mostly play out on BLM ground, in the Routt National Forest, and on State Wildlife Areas in the region. Each has its own access and camping rules, and SWAs in particular can carry restrictions on overnight stays and require a valid hunting or fishing license to enter. Use the CPW Hunting Atlas to confirm which blocks are public and how to reach them legally, and stop by the Sportsman Information Center in Craig at (970) 824-3046 for current maps before you head out.
2026 Season Windows
For the 2026 seasons sourced from CPW via Visit Moffat County: Archery runs September 2 through 30; Muzzleloader September 12 through 20; 1st Rifle October 14 through 18; 2nd Rifle October 24 through November 1; 3rd Rifle November 7 through 15; and 4th Rifle November 18 through 22. Tunatua opens August 1, right before the season, and over-the-counter and leftover licenses typically go on sale in August. Always confirm current dates and license availability at cpw.state.co.us, since published windows can shift.
Game Processors Near Craig
Once your elk or deer is down, you will want a processor lined up before you ever pull the trigger, because shops fill fast and add hours through rifle season. Craig has several established options within about five minutes of the park, with more in Steamboat Springs about 40 minutes east.
In Craig, minutes from the park:
- Mountain Meat Packing, Lincoln Street, Craig. Family run since 1977 with fast turnaround, specialty sausage, and on-site European mounts.
- Brothers Custom Processing, East 1st Street on the south bypass, Craig. Custom wild-game processing since 2004, with vacuum sealing, hide removal, and European mounts.
- AGP Game Processing, Yampa Avenue, Craig. Custom elk, deer, antelope, and bear processing with your own animal returned to you.
- Tafoya Meats, Yampa Avenue, Craig. In business since 1992, with overnight shipping if you need meat sent home.
In Steamboat Springs, about 40 minutes east:
- Steamboat Meat and Seafood Co., Yampa Street in downtown Steamboat. Big-game processing for elk, deer, antelope, and bear, with a 24-hour courtesy cooler for after-hours drop-off.
- Elk River Custom Meats, west Steamboat Springs. Wild-game processing with vacuum-sealed packaging and specialty recipes.
These are independent businesses, and capacity, hours, and pricing shift through the seasons, so call ahead to confirm drop-off, turnaround, and rates before you haul in your animal.
Mule Deer, Pronghorn, and Yampa River Fishing
Elk are the headline, but the country around Craig also holds mule deer and pronghorn antelope, both generally limited or draw-only, so put in for those licenses well ahead of your trip. For downtime, the Yampa River runs near the park. Be honest with your expectations on the water: the famous Gold Medal trout water is upstream near Steamboat Springs and Stagecoach, not at Craig. At and below Craig the Yampa is a warm-water and transition fishery, where trout give way to northern pike, walleye, bass, and catfish. It is a fun change of pace between hunts, just not a trophy-trout stretch. Pack a warm-water rig rather than chasing Gold Medal browns here. For a closer look at fishing and floating this stretch of the river, see our Yampa River fishing and floating guide.
Explore More Nearby
Browse all RV camping in Colorado: Colorado RV parks & campgrounds.
More RV parks and campgrounds in Colorado:
- Best RV Parks Near Cortez, CO
- RV Camping Near Cortez, CO
- Best Hiking Trails Near Denver, CO
- Best Campsites Near Denver, CO
Tunatua RV Resort
Tunatua RV Resort sits at 4175 W Hwy 40 in Craig, Colorado, about 2 miles and 5 minutes from downtown in the heart of Moffat County hunting country. The park opens August 1, 2026, right before archery season, and its first season is built around the fall hunt. All sites are full hookup with 30/50-amp service, and pull-throughs are available for big rigs. A heated bathhouse, hot showers and restrooms, on-site laundry, and a club and meeting room give you a real basecamp instead of a remote camp with no services. The park is pet-friendly, so the dog comes too, and it sits near the Yampa River with fishing, hiking, and pickleball on the activity list. Hunt-season nightly rates run about $39 to $50 before fees and taxes; the final site count for opening is still being set. Call (970) 436-5011 to confirm site availability and rates for your hunt dates.
Sites & Hookups
Tunatua RV Resort opens August 1, 2026, with full hookup RV sites built for hunters who roll in with a trailer or motorhome and need a clean, serviced place to stage. All sites carry 30/50-amp service with full hookups, and pull-throughs are available for big rigs hauling trailered ATVs. A heated bathhouse, hot showers and restrooms, on-site laundry, and a club and meeting room round out the basecamp, and the park is pet-friendly. Hunt-season nightly rates run roughly $39 to $50 before fees and taxes. The final site count for opening is still being set, so call (970) 436-5011 to confirm site availability and rates. Booking your basecamp early matters during rifle seasons, when hunters from across the country converge on Moffat County.
What's On-Site
Tunatua is set up as a working basecamp, not just a place to park. All sites are full hookup with 30/50-amp service and pull-throughs for big rigs. A heated bathhouse and hot showers take the bite out of cold October and November mornings, on-site laundry handles the dirt and wear of a multi-week hunt, and a club and meeting room gives your party a place to plan the next morning’s push or break down the day’s results. The park is pet-friendly, so your hunting dog or camp companion rides along. Fishing, hiking, and pickleball are on the activity list for downtime. As a new park opening August 1, 2026, the final site count is still being set, so call (970) 436-5011 to confirm availability for your dates.
Other Places to Stay Near Craig, CO
<p>Tunatua RV Resort is built as a serviced hunting basecamp minutes from town, but a few state parks and campgrounds also serve travelers in the Craig area. Availability and rules change, so call ahead before you plan around any of them.</p>
Elkhead Reservoir State Park
A Colorado state park built around Elkhead Reservoir, with boating, fishing for bass and northern pike, and campsites close to the water. It is closer to the country east of Craig but offers fewer services than an RV basecamp in town. Reserve through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Visit website.
Yampa River State Park
A string of access points and a core campground along the Yampa River, popular for fishing, paddling, and river-corridor camping. Useful for time on the water between hunts, with state-park amenities rather than full RV-resort services. Reserve through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Visit website.
Craig KOA Journey
A KOA Journey location in Craig offering RV and tent sites along the US-40 corridor. A familiar option for hunters who prefer a national chain. Confirm hunt-season availability directly. Visit website.
Beyond the Hunt: Things to Do Around Craig
The Yampa River runs near the park and offers a warm-water and transition fishery at and below Craig, where trout give way to northern pike, walleye, bass, and catfish. It is a relaxed change of pace on a rest day, not a Gold Medal trout stretch, which lies upstream near Steamboat Springs and Stagecoach. Elkhead Reservoir, about 15 minutes east, adds lake fishing and boating for the non-hunting members of your party.
The real draw on land is the public ground itself: BLM tracts, the Routt National Forest, and State Wildlife Areas across Moffat County hold elk, mule deer, and pronghorn. Pull the CPW GMU map and Hunting Atlas to scout units 11, 12, 13, and 211 from basecamp. When the rifles are racked, the same country offers hiking and wildlife watching across high mesas and timbered drainages.
Dinosaur National Monument anchors the far northwest corner of Colorado, with fossil beds and deep river canyons worth a full day. Steamboat Springs is about 40 minutes east on US-40 for hot springs, restaurants, and a larger resort town to resupply or reward the crew after a successful hunt. Both make easy day trips from your basecamp in Craig.
Hunt-Season Guide for Craig, CO
Archery and Muzzleloader (September)
The season opens with archery (September 2 through 30) and muzzleloader (September 12 through 20). Bulls are still in pre-rut and rut behavior, days are mild, and over-the-counter archery bull tags draw early-season hunters. Tunatua opens August 1, so you can settle into basecamp before the September push. Always confirm current dates and license availability at cpw.state.co.us.
Rifle Seasons (October to November)
The four rifle seasons run 1st Rifle October 14 through 18, 2nd Rifle October 24 through November 1, 3rd Rifle November 7 through 15, and 4th Rifle November 18 through 22. Over-the-counter bull tags are available for 2nd and 3rd rifle, which makes those the busiest windows. Reserve your basecamp early for these dates. Confirm seasons at cpw.state.co.us.
Late Season and Winter
After 4th rifle closes November 22, the country quiets down and winter sets in across northwest Colorado. Cold, snow, and short days define the season. Confirm whether the park is operating for any late-season or winter stay by calling (970) 436-5011, since this is the resort’s first year.
Off-Season Fishing and Summer
Outside the hunt, the Yampa River and Elkhead Reservoir offer warm-water fishing, and the surrounding public land opens up for hiking and wildlife watching. Summer is mild and a good time to scout units before fall. Tunatua’s first season starts August 1, 2026, so early-summer availability will depend on the opening timeline; call to confirm.
Practical Tips for Hunting Out of Craig
Tunatua opens August 1, 2026. All sites are full hookup with 30/50-amp service and pull-throughs; the final site count is still being set, so call (970) 436-5011 to confirm site availability and hunt-season rates (about $39 to $50 before fees and taxes).
Units do not match city limits. Use the Colorado Parks and Wildlife GMU map and Hunting Atlas to confirm public land in units like 11, 12, 13, and 211 and plan legal access before you leave basecamp.
Over-the-counter bull elk tags (archery, 2nd and 3rd rifle) are a draw of this area, but over-the-counter status and dates can change. Verify current license availability before your trip. Deer and pronghorn are generally limited or draw.
The Craig Chamber's Sportsman Information Center at (970) 824-3046 has current BLM and forest maps and license help. Stop in for the latest unit and access information.
Craig has gas, groceries, and game processing, so staging at Tunatua about 2 miles from downtown beats remote dispersed camping with no services. Refuel and restock before each push into your unit.
The over-the-counter rifle windows draw hunters from across the country. If you are hunting late October through mid-November, reserve your basecamp well in advance.
For the 2026 season, stay 3 or more nights and save 10 percent, or 5 or more nights and save 15 percent (the weekly rate), before fees and taxes. Ask when you book.
ATVs and UTVs are welcome with registration at check-in. Ride directly to and from your campsite at posted speed limits and observe quiet hours; there is no recreational riding inside the resort. Your campsite is the staging area, with trailer parking in an assigned overflow area.
Verizon and AT&T give reliable, usable service at the park; T-Mobile generally works in the area but can be less consistent. Download offline maps (OnX, CO Hunting Atlas) before you head into the field.
Standard check-in is 3:00 PM. Early check-in is available for $15 when you need to be in the field at first light on opening morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Tunatua RV Resort open?
Tunatua RV Resort opens August 1, 2026, in Craig, Colorado, with its inaugural season built around the 2026 fall hunt. All sites are full hookup with 30/50-amp service and pull-throughs; the final site count is still being set, so call (970) 436-5011 to confirm availability and rates.
Why is Craig called the Elk Hunting Capital?
Craig promotes itself as the Elk Hunting Capital of the World. Moffat County holds two of North America’s largest migratory elk herds, and hunters have access to nearly 2 million acres of public land nearby, including BLM ground, the Routt National Forest, and State Wildlife Areas.
Are over-the-counter elk tags available near Craig?
The Craig Chamber describes the area as having the nation’s only over-the-counter bull elk tags, available for archery and the 2nd and 3rd rifle seasons. Deer and pronghorn are generally limited or draw. Always confirm current tag types and availability at cpw.state.co.us, as rules can change.
What are the 2026 elk season dates around Craig?
For 2026, sourced from CPW via Visit Moffat County: Archery September 2 to 30, Muzzleloader September 12 to 20, 1st Rifle October 14 to 18, 2nd Rifle October 24 to November 1, 3rd Rifle November 7 to 15, and 4th Rifle November 18 to 22. Always confirm current dates and license availability at cpw.state.co.us.
Which hunting units are near Craig?
The big-game country around Craig falls into Moffat County game management units including 11, 12, 13, and 211. Unit boundaries do not match city limits, so use the Colorado Parks and Wildlife GMU map and Hunting Atlas to confirm public land and plan access.
Can I fish for trophy trout in the Yampa River at Craig?
Not at Craig. The Gold Medal trophy trout water on the Yampa is upstream near Steamboat Springs and Stagecoach. At and below Craig the river is a warm-water and transition fishery, with northern pike, walleye, bass, and catfish replacing the trout. It is a fun rest-day option, not a trophy-trout stretch.
Are the sites full hookup with 30/50-amp service?
Yes. Every site at Tunatua is full hookup with 30 and 50-amp service, and pull-throughs are available for big rigs. The final site count for opening is still being set; call (970) 436-5011 to confirm. Hunt-season nightly rates run about $39 to $50 before fees and taxes.
Is there a hunter discount?
For the inaugural 2026 season, stay 3 or more nights and save 10 percent, or stay 5 or more nights and save 15 percent (the weekly rate), before fees and taxes. Ask for the hunter discount when you book.
Can I bring an ATV or UTV?
Yes, with registration at check-in. Ride directly to and from your campsite at posted speed limits and observe quiet hours; there is no recreational riding inside the resort. Your campsite is the staging area, with trailer parking in an assigned overflow area.
What is the cell service like at Tunatua?
Verizon and AT&T provide reliable, usable service at the park. T-Mobile generally works in the area but can be less consistent. Download offline maps such as OnX or the Colorado Hunting Atlas for the field regardless.
Reserve Your 2026 Hunt-Season Basecamp
Tunatua RV Resort opens August 1, 2026, about 2 miles from downtown Craig, the self-proclaimed Elk Hunting Capital. All sites are full hookup with 30/50-amp service and pull-throughs, plus a heated bathhouse, hot showers, on-site laundry, a club and meeting room, and pet-friendly RV sites minutes from public land and the Yampa River. Inaugural-season hunter discount: stay 3 or more nights and save 10 percent, or 5 or more nights and save 15 percent, before fees and taxes.
Reserve for the 2026 season and call (970) 436-5011 to confirm site availability and rates for your hunt dates. See the property and live details on the Tunatua RV Resort page.
Book Your RV Site (970) 436-5011