12 licensed outfitters guide elk hunts in San Juan Mountains. Season dates below come from the Colorado wildlife agency; license status comes from the body that issued it.
Colorado elk season dates
| Season Type | Opens | Closes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | September 2, 2026 | September 30, 2026 | Statewide archery elk season. Over-the-counter archery licenses available for antlered and either-sex elk in OTC units; limited licenses by draw elsewhere. Unless otherwise noted in the hunt code tables. |
| Muzzleloader | September 12, 2026 | September 20, 2026 | Muzzleloader elk season runs inside the archery season. Limited licenses only, by draw. |
| Combined Rifle First | October 14, 2026 | October 18, 2026 | First combined rifle season, limited to deer, elk and bear. Limited elk licenses by draw. |
| Combined Rifle Second | October 24, 2026 | November 1, 2026 | Second combined rifle season for elk, deer and bear. Over-the-counter antlered elk licenses valid in OTC units. |
| Combined Rifle Third | November 7, 2026 | November 15, 2026 | Third combined rifle season for elk, deer and bear. Over-the-counter antlered elk licenses valid in OTC units. |
| Combined Rifle Fourth | November 18, 2026 | November 22, 2026 | Fourth combined rifle season for elk, deer and bear. Limited licenses only. |
2026-2027 seasonVerified against Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 2026 Big Game, Turkey, and Small Game and Waterfowl brochures on September 5, 2026.Source: cpw.widen.net/s/5wvx7rggrd/colorado-big-game-hunting-brochur … Confirm dates in the current regulations before you hunt.
Elk outfitters in San Juan Mountains
Vallecito Lake Outfitters is located 25 miles northeast of Durango at the scenic Vallecito Lake, serving as a premier entry point for the Weminuche Wilderness and the San Juan Mountains. Operating under a special use permit from the USDA Forest Service …
Bighorn Sheep · Black Bear · Elk · Mountain Goat · Mule Deer
San Juan Outfitting is a full-service wilderness operation that provides elite access to the rugged San Juan Mountains of the Colorado Rockies. Operating under a long-standing U.S. Forest Service permit, Jesse Bauer’s team specializes in deep-woods adventures …
Bighorn Sheep · Elk · Mountain Goat · Mule Deer · Wild Turkey
High Mountain Hunts (HMH) is a premier big game guide service specializing in high-altitude adventures within the San Juan and Rio Grande National Forests. Operating under special use permits, Nick Maragas and his team focus on providing elite fair-chase hunts …
Bighorn Sheep · Black Bear · Elk · Mule Deer · Wild Turkey
At Highlands Unlimited, Inc., we specialize in true wilderness drop camp hunting adventures deep in the stunning San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado. Our camps are nestled within the remote Piedra Primitive Area—where no motorized vehicles are …
Black Bear · Elk · Mule Deer · Wild Turkey
Lobo Outfitters, LLC offers guided and non-guided hunts in Southwest Colorado. During the summer months, we offer fishing and camping adventures creating vivid, lasting memories for the whole family. Opportunities to experience God’s country high-above-it-all …
Bighorn Sheep · Black Bear · Elk · Moose · Mountain Lion · Mule Deer · Wild Turkey
Timberline Guides and Outfitters LLC, owned and operated by Neil Carico, delivers authentic Colorado hunting adventures rooted in experience, integrity, and a deep respect for the land. Operating in some of Colorado’s most scenic and game-rich country, …
Elk · Mule Deer
For more than 30 years, Peak to Creek Outfitters has been guiding hunters through the rugged backcountry of southwest Colorado in search of trophy-class elk, mule deer, and bear. What started as a family passion has grown into a trusted outfitting service that …
Elk · Mule Deer
Backcountry Outfitters is a full-service guide operation that holds special use permits for the San Juan National Forest, the Weminuche Wilderness, and the Piedra Primitive Area. These permits allow Justin and his team to lead expeditions into some of the most …
Black Bear · Elk · Mule Deer · Pronghorn · Wild Turkey
Storm Peak Outfitters is a premier hunting outfitter based in Southwest Colorado in GMU 71 within the San Juan National Forest. Operating in the rugged San Juan Mountains, we specialize in high-quality elk, mule deer, and black bear hunts in some of Colorado’s …
Black Bear · Elk · Mule Deer · Upland Birds
Sundown Outfitters and Rio Grande Outfitters operate year-round in the rugged backcountry of southwest Colorado, offering guided hunts and wilderness experiences across the San Juan, Rio Grande, and Weminuche National Forests, as well as the South San Juan and …
Bighorn Sheep · Black Bear · Elk · Moose · Mountain Lion · Mule Deer · Wild Turkey
Weminuche Wilderness Outfitters specializes in providing authentic, deep-woods adventures within the Columbine Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest. Operating primarily in Game Management Unit 751, they offer a comprehensive range of hunts including …
Bighorn Sheep · Black Bear · Elk · Mule Deer
Elk Heart Outfitters operates in Southwest Colorado in Units 77 and 78 in the remote and rugged terrain of the San Juan National Forest. Our mission is to provide safe and memorable backcountry experiences rooted in traditional Western values. We deliver …
Black Bear · Elk · Mule Deer · Wild Turkey
12 licensed outfittersLicense status verified against Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Professional and Occupational Licenses on September 5, 2026.Source: data.colorado.gov/resource/7s5z-vewr.json Confirm an outfitter’s license with the issuing board before you book.
Before you book
- Confirm the outfitter’s license is current — every listing links to the issuing body’s own record.
- Ask which hunt areas they operate in, and whether an elk tag there is draw-only or over the counter.
- All outfitters in San Juan Mountains
- Colorado elk hunting outfitters
For reference only. This page summarizes agency publications and is not legal advice or an official source; confirm dates, limits and fees with the state wildlife agency before you hunt. Regulations change mid-season. Send a correction if you spot an error. Disclaimer.