Southern Ute Indian Tribe

Within the exterior boundary of the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, several tracts of San Juan National Forest land in the vicinity of Chimney Rock, Colorado, as well as some private lands, are accessible mainly by crossing Southern Ute Tribal lands. The Tribe offers special crossing permits to access these non-Tribal lands for State of Colorado deer, elk, and turkey hunting seasons only. These crossing permits are available for a fee and must be picked up in person during designated hours at the Southern Ute Department of Natural Resources – Lands Division in Ignacio, Colorado.

Currently, Tribal crossing permits are required to access U.S. Forest Service land in the Chimney Rock area, Haystack Mountain area, Turkey Creek Road, and Washington Flats Road. Crossing permits are presently not required for Archuleta Creek Road or Devil Mountain Road.

Also, please note the following:

• Equine Crossing Permits must be obtained through Southern Ute Animal Control by hunters wishing to cross Tribal land with horses.
• Parties requesting access across Tribal land to hunt on private lands must present written permission from the landowner in order to obtain a permit.
• Permits are for crossing Tribal lands only, and parking is not permitted on Tribal lands. Hunters must park on highway rights-of-way (shoulders), USFS lands, or other non-Tribal lands.
• Tribal lands may not be clearly fenced and posted! It is the hunter’s responsibility to know where he/she is hunting and to avoid hunting on Tribal lands.
• The Southern Ute Indian Tribe reserves the right to deny crossing permits to any applicants entirely at its own discretion.

For more information on Tribal land crossing permits for State hunters, please contact the Southern Ute Lands Division at (970) 563-0125.

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