“Those who come to the Yampa Valley to live will never be able to leave.” – Colorow, Ute Leader

Rugged and independent. These two words illustrate the spirit of those who founded the Yampa Valley, where the tradition of the Old West runs strong through our landscape and our people.

The Yampa Valley is a large stretch of land that winds its way along the Yampa River in both Routt County and Moffat County. The Yampa Valley receives its name from the Yampatika Ute indians who used the Valley as their summer hunting grounds.

Here in the Yampa Valley, residents are known for their friendliness and rarely miss an opportunity to talk about the abundance of offerings in their backyard. From world class skiing to photographing herds of wild mustangs. From camping in areas alive with petroglyphs to a perfect lazy day floating down the Yampa River on a tube. Lush mountains to desert canyons, you are almost guaranteed to see deer and antelope grazing alongside the roads or bald eagles flying over the beautiful Yampa River core bike trail. Here a traffic jam means slowing down to let an elk cross the road.