The Sarvis Creek Wilderness’ journey to designation was long and arduous. The United States Forest Service was against the designation of this wilderness in 1979, but eventually changed its position in 1983 upon further study of the area.
In 1993, the Sarvis Creek Wilderness was designated as a national wilderness area by the United States Congress. It now contains over 44,000 acres of land in the Routt National Forest, governed by the United States Forest Service. Its name was derived from the Sarvis Timber Company, which used to log in the area.
National Wilderness Area near Steamboat Springs
Probably its most prominent feature is its lack of alpine tundras. This stands in stark contrast to most of Colorado’s wilderness areas. Instead, the Sarvis Creek Wilderness is characterized by lush, fertile forests and marshy meadows. It is also home to two creeks, the Sarvis Creek and Silver Creek which flow through the forests into Yampa River.
A notable event that occurred in the area is the mountain pine beetle epidemic. This resulted in a lot of fallen trees in the Sarvis Creek Wilderness and visitors are advised to proceed with caution. In addition, the dense woodlands of the wilderness area also hide large animals such as elk, bears, and lions.
Nevertheless, the Sarvis Creek Wilderness provides a wide variety of safe and enjoyable recreational activities. It also experiences light human usage so visitors can expect peace and quiet when camping out in this wilderness. Both of its popular trails, the Sarvis and Silver Creek Trails, can be accessed easily from the town of Yampa, Colorado.
Details
Nearby Towns:
Phone: 307-745-2300
Season: Year round
Established: 1993
Management: USFS
