 | | Two large creeks, Service and Silver, exit the open valley of the Yampa River upstream of Steamboat Springs in Sarvis Creek Wilderness Area. Ducking under fallen logs, skirting gravel bars, and providing cover for the darting shadows of trout, the creeks meander through rolling forests in their relentless journey to the river. The trees open occasionally, sometimes at broken rock piles and other times in wet meadows that squish underfoot.Draped like a soothing blanket over the tired granite hills of the southern Park Range, the impenetrable forests of Sarvis Creek Wilderness offer refuge for deer, elk, bear, and mountain lion. What makes Sarvis Creek an oddity among Colorado wildernesses is its complete lack of alpine tundra; its sheltering forests, evenly split among lodgepole pine and Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir, provide its reason for being.Sarvis Creek's legislative journey demonstrates the power of perseverance. A kind of wilderness Cinderella story, Sarvis Creek was overlooked for many years while its more glamorous alpine neighbors, such as Eagles Nest and Mount Zirkel, achieved official designation. After all, wilderness areas are protected largely through the dedicated efforts of interested citizens, and for many years those active conservationists consisted of mountain climbers and fishermen drawn to the jagged peaks and crystalline lakes of the high country.As interest grew in biological diversity and people became aware of the importance that lower elevation forests have as connections in the landscape, the protection of Sarvis Creek gained prominence among conservationists. The Forest Service unfortunately lagged behind, and during its 1979 nationwide study of roadless areas, the agency recommended against protecting Sarvis Creek as wilderness. But the Carter Administration overruled the Forest Service and directed that the area be studied again. By 1983, the Forest Service realized the ecological importance of preserving Sarvis Creek and changed its position to one of wilderness support. The area was finally designated in 1993. |
| |  | | | Facilities: There are no facilities available at Sarvis Creek Wilderness Area. Reservations: Reservations are not needed or accepted at Sarvis Creek Wilderness Area. Best Time To Visit: Sarvis Creek Wilderness Area is open year round. Fees: There are no fees to enter Sarvis Creek Wilderness Area. Accessibility: This area is not handicap accessible. Rules: No mechanical devices of any kind are permitted in the Sarvis Creek Wilderness Area. Public Property Preserve and protect your National Forests. Leave natural areas the way you find them. Practice "Leave No Trace" ethics. Do not carve, chop, cut and damage any live trees.Camping If you are staying at a campground, you must camp only in those places specifically provided or marked. All vehicles, RVs, and trailers must be parked on your campsite or driveway. Driving or parking off road is not permitted. Quiet hours are between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Please be considerate of others.Sanitation Help prevent pollution by keeping garbage, litter, and foreign substances out of lakes, streams, and other waters. All garbage and litter must either be deposited in containers provided, or taken with you when you leave.Camp Fires Obey any restrictions on fires. Fires may be limited or prohibited at certain times. Within campgrounds and other recreation areas, fires may only be built in fire rings, stoves, grills, or fireplaces provided for that purpose. Be sure your fire is completely extinguished before leaving. Do not leave your fire unattended. You are responsible for keeping fires under control.Vehicles Drivers must obey all traffic signs and operate their vehicles in accordance with posted regulations, and applicable Federal, State and local laws. Vehicles must be parked in designated areas only. Use of vehicles within campgrounds and other recreation areas is limited to entering or leaving those areas.Pets and Animals Pets must be restrained or on a leash at all times while in developed recreation areas. Pets (except guide dogs) are not allowed in swimming areas or sanitary facilities. Saddle or pack animals are only allowed where authorized by posted instructions.Fireworks Use of fireworks or other explosives within campgrounds and other recreation areas is prohibited.Directions: To get to Sarvis Creek Wilderness Area from Steamboat Springs, CO, take US 40 east for four miles; turn south on State Route 131 for approximately five miles; take Country Road 18 south about four miles to the Service Creek Trailhead. | | |
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| | | | Address | | Routt National Forest | | 2468 Jackson St. | | Laramie, Wyoming 82070-6535 |
| | | Phone | | General: (307) 745-2300 | | Fax: (307) 745-2398 | | TTY: (307) 745-2307 | |
| | | | | Website | | Email |
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