Buena Vista sits in the middle of some of the best elk country Colorado has — the Sawatch Range and Collegiate Peaks rising off the Arkansas River Valley, with fourteeners on the skyline and dark timber basins holding elk from September through November. These are fully guided 5-day elk hunts run under permit in the Leadville and Salida Ranger Districts of the San Isabel National Forest, covering GMUs 561, 56, 481, 49, 57, and 58.
You can hunt it three ways: a wilderness-style national forest hunt from a remote base camp, a horseback hunt from a very remote camp at timberline, or a private land hunt with cabin accommodations for hunters who want a little more comfort at the end of the day. All hunts are 2×1 guided, with a camp cook putting warm, home-cooked meals in front of you every day — and if you kill, the crew handles trophy care and gets your animal off the mountain.
The Hunt
This is classic western spot-and-stalk elk hunting. You’re up two hours before sunrise for a light breakfast and coffee, then out to glass and work into elk during the morning movement. Midday, when the animals bed, you rest and eat — then you’re back on them in the evening as elk move to feed. During the September archery season, your guide will be calling to bugling bulls in the rut, which is about as good as elk hunting gets.
Hunts run during September archery, September muzzleloader, and Colorado’s 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rifle seasons — from the rut all the way through late-season migration hunting. Your consultant will help you pick the season that fits how you want to hunt.
Three Ways to Hunt It
National forest base camp. A remote camp on public land, accessed by truck, wheelers, or horses depending on the spot. You’re living where the elk live and hunting straight out of camp every morning.
High-country horseback. The signature hunt — horses carry you into a very remote base camp set right at timberline. It’s extremely scenic country, the kind of camp most hunters only see in old photographs, and it puts you above the pressure and into elk that rarely see people.
Private land with cabin. Deeded ground with cabin accommodations. Same guided 2×1 hunt, same country, a little more comfortable — a real bed and a roof after a full day in the mountains.
The Country
The Sawatch Range carries the highest average elevation of any range in the Rockies, and the elk use every foot of it — timberline basins in September, dark north-slope timber in October, and lower migration country as the snow stacks up in November. Hunting out of Buena Vista puts you in the heart of it, with six GMUs of national forest and private ground to work with. If you’re weighing this against other areas, our Colorado elk hunting guide breaks down how the state’s units and seasons compare.
Pricing
- Wilderness / national forest hunt (5 days, 2×1 guided): $6,500 USD per hunter
- Private land hunt with cabin (5 days, 2×1 guided): $7,500 USD per hunter
Rates are confirmed for your season when you book.
What’s Included
- 5 full days of hunting, 2×1 guided
- All meals and food in camp — camp cook with warm, home-cooked meals
- Transportation during the hunt
- Trophy care and mountain retrieval — the crew gets your animal off the mountain
- Lodging in camp (wall tent base camp or private-land cabin, depending on your hunt)
What’s Not Included
- Colorado elk license and fees (non-residents also need a qualifying license first)
- Travel to and from Buena Vista, Colorado
- Gratuities for guides and camp staff
- Taxidermy and meat processing
Getting Your Tag
Depending on the season and unit, tags are available over the counter or through Colorado’s draw, and our team walks you through exactly which tag to buy for your hunt. If you want to understand how Colorado’s system works before you commit, read our Colorado draw strategy guide — then call us and we’ll map out your tag plan together.
What to Bring
Mountain weather in the Sawatch can swing from summer to winter in an afternoon, so pack for all of it: a range finder, good optics, a warm sleeping bag, waterproof boots, rain gear, a headlamp, a day pack, and layered clothing you can add and shed as the day changes. Your consultant will send a full gear list for your specific hunt and season.
Book This Hunt
Elk camps in this part of Colorado run small, and the horseback timberline camp in particular books tight. Reach out and we’ll match you to the right season, unit, and hunt style — or browse all of our guided hunts to compare options across the West.
WO Trip Protection
For 5% of your trip cost, we guarantee your hunt. If the outfitter cancels, goes out of business, or a wildfire shuts down the area — we rebook you on a comparable hunt at no extra cost.
Ask your consultant about adding trip protection when you book.
Talk to a Consultant
