Northwestern Colorado offers some of the best hunting areas in the State. Each year thousands of hunters come to Meeker in search of a trophy. Hunting opportunities in the area include; elk, deer, moose, pronghorn antelope, bear, and mountain lion.

Hunters encounter terrain with lower elevations of 6,000 feet climbing to several peaks in the Flattops Wilderness over 12,200 feet. Thousands of acres of public lands provide the hunters with plenty of space to setup camp. Conviently there are numerous local outfitting services available.

Heavy annual snowfall feeds the fresh mountain streams which run into the White River from high mountain lakes. The White River itself, considered to be one of the “best kept secrets” by many Colorado fishermen provides habitat to rainbow trout, brown trout and brook trout, and whitefish.

Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States visited Meeker on several occasions to take advantage of abundant wild game hunting and gold medal fishing waters. He loved the peace and serenity the landscape had to offer and found he could unwind from the many pressures of the Presidency. In 1901, as Vice-President Elect, Roosevelt hunted mountain lion in the area. Because he enjoyed success, he returned again as President in 1905, to fish the willowy banks of the White River.

Anglers can take advantage of several public access fishing areas within a couple miles of town, and public lands outside of town offer a variety of fishable waters.

Meeker is the gateway to some of the best high country lakes in Colorado. The cool mountain streams provide sustainable habitat for some of the largest trout in Colorado.

In the last decade, winter ice fishing has been growing in popularity. According to the 2004 Statewide Angler Survey, nearly 25% of Colorado anglers take advantage of the winter season to fish, and White River National Forest lands adjacent to Meeker offer many areas to participate.

Find local outfitters & guides in our Chamber of Commerce Business Directory.

For more information, visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website