Craig Daily Press

Craig — As evident by Wednesday morning’s snowfall, nobody can say for sure how long summer will last.

Moffat County offers many outdoor activities residents can take part in while the weather is to their advantage.

Hiking, mountain biking, camping and tubing down the Yampa River are just a few options that can be found within a 15-minute drive.

Tubing

There are several spots within 15 minutes of Craig to start a rafting trip.

Southeast of Yampa Valley Golf Course, on Colorado Highway 394, interested residents can access the river through a drop-off area.

Loudy-Simpson Park offers a boat launch and parking area along the river as well, and those looking for a longer ride can access the river at Yampa River State Park, located a few minutes east of town before reaching Hayden.

New tubes can be purchased at Big O Tires, 1111 Victory Way, but store- owner Fred Shaffer said to be careful.

The Yampa River is high and fast in May and June.

“You don’t want to go out there right now,” he said. “The undercurrent will take you away.”

July and August offer the best opportunity for a cool float down the river.

Hiking and biking

Hundreds of miles of trails can be found within a short drive of town, and one of them is more than likely to fit your experience level.

“We have lots of trails for hiking and biking that are close,” said Judy Kostur, an information specialist with the Craig Chamber of Commerce. “It’s easy to do in this area.”

Loudy-Simpson offers a nature trail that follows the river with a five-mile loop.

Cedar Mountain, located seven miles northwest of Craig, has a trail that elevates to 7,524 feet throughout its 3.5-mile loop.

The Sandrocks trail in northern Craig offers a view of most of the town and can be entered from the west near Moffat County High School on Finley Lane or from the east on Barclay Street.

Camping

Elkhead Reservoir, located in the eastern part of Moffat County and the western part of Routt County, reopened last year after a three-year renovation project that doubled its acreage to 25,450 acre feet.

Elkhead is a great place to camp, with an abundance of campgrounds, restrooms and a boat ramp.

Yampa River State Park offers campground sites along the river for $8. For $14, campers can rent a nonelectric site on the premises, or a site equipped with electricity for $18.

“We are easy access for the people of Craig,” Colorado State Parks Ranger Ryan Crabb said from his post at the Yampa River State Park. “It’s a great, inexpensive way to have fun outside with the whole family.”

South of Craig, along Highway 41, campers can pitch a tent in the Morapos Campground, located just inside Rio Blanco County. Morapos doesn’t have river access, but the park is equipped with horse-loading facilities.

Fishing

There are many spots along the Yampa River abundant with fish.

The section between Empire Energy and Hayden is a haven for northern pike.

Smallmouth bass are common between Craig and Maybell.

Near the entrance to Loudy-Simpson, the front pond offers a great place for children and families to fish for trout.

The pond in front of the Public Safety Center is stocked with trout each year by the Colorado Division of Wildlife but is open only to youths 12 and younger.

Yampa River State Park is stocked with pike in its front fishing pond.

“I stop here on my way to work all the time,” Clark resident J. May said. “I have to keep practicing my technique. My pike-catching technique.”

Patrons must pay a $6 daily park fee to fish.

For more information, maps and trail guides can be obtained at the Craig Chamber of Commerce. Call 824-5689 or stop by 360 E. Victory Way.