Outdoors and wildfire - San Luis Valley
The Saguache Creek public land near Moffat is only open part of the year
The Saguache Creek state trust land near Moffat is leased to Colorado Parks and Wildlife for seasonal public access, so it is open only part of the year and needs a hunting or fishing license.
Published June 10, 2026 - Last verified June 11, 2026
Along Highway 17 south of Moffat, a stretch of land follows Saguache Creek across the valley floor. It looks like open country you could wander any time, but it is state trust land that Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) leases for public access only during part of the year.
State trust lands are not the same as state parks or even most wildlife areas. They are owned to raise money for schools, and the public can use only the parcels that CPW has leased, and only when they are open. The Saguache Creek property opens for a set season tied to hunting, then closes again the rest of the year. Everyone age 16 or older needs a valid Colorado hunting or fishing license to be there during the open season.
Inside the open season, people fish the creek and hunt deer, elk, and small game in this part of the valley. Highway 17 crosses the land and gives several access points, but the boundaries matter: stepping onto trust land that is closed, or onto private ground next door, is trespassing.
Because the open dates and rules can change from year to year, do not rely on memory. Confirm the current season, access points, and license requirement on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife page for the Saguache Creek state trust land.