Is prior hunting experience required?

While prior hunting experience is beneficial, beginners age 12 and older can participate with expert guidance provided.

What is included in the trip package?

The package includes expert guides, field dressing, game transport to a processor, wilderness lodging, and meals.

Are horses or ATVs used during the hunt?

Yes, hunters access prime elk areas by horseback or ATV before stalking on foot, depending on terrain and weather.

Bring your rifle, layered clothing, sturdy boots, binoculars, and personal items; detailed gear recommendations will be provided.

All meals during the hunt are included and prepared at the wilderness camp.

Is there a limit on group size?

Yes, camps host 2–4 hunters to ensure personalized attention and quality guiding service.

Epic 5-Day Elk Hunting in Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains

For hunters craving a deep wilderness experience, this 5-day elk rifle hunt in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Westcliffe, Colorado, delivers an unmatched adventure. The Sangre de Cristo range, a rugged spine of dramatic peaks and thick forests, stretches across southern Colorado and northern New Mexico, offering some of the most productive elk country in the Southwest. This guided hunt provides exclusive access to sprawling public lands where trophy bulls are abundant, all within a remote, wild setting few get to explore.

Operated by experienced guides, the hunt is designed for rifle hunters age 12 and older who want a personal, challenging backcountry encounter. Camps are small and intimate, limited to just a few hunters each, fostering expert-led guidance tailored to your pace and abilities. Depending on conditions and terrain, hunters move into prime elk habitat on horseback or ATV before embarking on classic spot-and-stalk tactics on foot. This multi-modal approach maximizes access to elusive trophy elk while immersing participants in Colorado’s stunning alpine environment.

Comfort remains a priority despite the wilderness setting. Your stay includes rustic yet cozy wilderness lodging and hearty meals prepared in camp, so you can focus on the hunt with energy and ease. Field dressing and game transport to a local processor are handled by the guides, removing logistical hassles and letting you concentrate on the experience from start to finish. This hunt pairs physical challenge with the thrill of pursuing some of the West’s largest elk on public ground, making it a standout opportunity for avid hunters looking to test their skills in a legendary mountain range.

Westcliffe is the nearest town, a small mountain community with welcoming services and easy access to the hunt base at 4613 County Road 160. The town anchors the San Isabel National Forest region, known for its outdoor recreation, including hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing, making it a great starting point for your Colorado mountain adventure.

This elk hunt promises a blend of rugged wilderness, top-tier wildlife, and personalized, expert guidance. It’s a rare chance to hunt trophy bulls within public land expanses of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, earning its place as a premier rifle hunting experience in Colorado’s backcountry.

About Dry Creek Ranch

Dry Creek Ranch is a guided hunting operation based in Westcliffe, Colorado, specializing in elk and mule deer hunts across public and private land. Located near the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and adjacent to the Greenhorn Mountains, Dry Creek Ranch offers guided rifle hunts, cow elk hunts, and limited private‑land trophy mule deer hunts on nearly 8,000 acres of exclusive property. Hunts run at elevations from 7,000 to 11,000 feet, providing diverse terrain and high‑country conditions.

Guides operate small camps and provide expert, personalized attention using spot‑and‑stalk techniques, horseback, and ATV access to reach prime hunting areas. Wilderness lodging and meals are included on many hunts, with optional cabin upgrades available for added comfort. Trip lengths vary by season and license type, including multiple rifle seasons and four‑ to five‑day itineraries for public‑land elk hunts, plus specific mule deer seasons focused on trophy bucks.

Dry Creek Ranch emphasizes ethical, guided hunting experiences managed to maximize opportunity in Colorado backcountry. The operation lists a range of trips including first through fourth rifle elk seasons in Westcliffe and Kremmling, multi‑day public‑land elk hunts, private‑land cow elk hunts, and restricted mule deer hunts in second and third seasons. Each trip description clarifies access methods, lodging, and guiding style.

Hunters booking at Dry Creek Ranch can expect focused attention, experienced logistical support, and access to both public and private hunting grounds near Westcliffe, Colorado. All marketing and trip information reflect the business’s advertised offerings and locations. Reservations are arranged through the business contact directly.

Epic 5-Day Elk Hunting in Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains

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