Basalt SWA: hunting rules and access
Basalt SWA is one of 2 parts of Basalt SWA that CPW lists on one page (2,577 acres in all); CPW's map draws this part as 4,678 acres. It is a State Wildlife Area in Eagle and Pitkin Counties, Colorado, in game management units 47 and 444. CPW lists bighorn, deer, dusky (blue) grouse and elk for it, and its rules for the property run to 12 lines: 5 on its page for the property and 7 in its regulations.
| Kind | State Wildlife Area |
|---|---|
| Counties | Eagle and Pitkin |
| Game management unit | 47, 444 |
| Size | 2,577 acres |
| Coordinates | 39.3836, -107.0261 (middle of the boundary CPW maps) |
| Map | Open Basalt SWA on the map |
| This part, as CPW maps it | 4,678 acres. The size above is CPW's figure for all 2 parts of Basalt SWA |
| CPW's page read | October 8, 2026 |
A State Wildlife Area has its own rules on top of the statewide season rules. How the kinds of public land differ.
What CPW lists for hunting here
Bighorn, Deer, Dusky (blue) grouse, Elk.
Fishing, as CPW lists it: Fishing Opportunities, Coldwater Lake, Coldwater Stream.
A species on this list is one CPW names for the property. It still needs an open season, the right license for the unit, and nothing in the restrictions below against it on your dates.
Who may enter
A valid hunting or fishing license OR SWA pass is required for everyone 16 or older accessing this state wildlife area.
Restrictions on CPW's page for this property
- A. From March 15-Oct. 14, discharging firearms on shooting range allowed only 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon., Tues., Thurs. and Fri., and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. and Sun. From Oct. 15-March 14, discharging firearms on shooting range allowed only 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon., Tues., Thurs. and Fri., and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat and Sun.
- B. Closed Dec. 1-July 15 except on Christine Lake and Basalt Shooting Range and while spring turkey hunting.
- C. Discharging firearms or bows prohibited, except when hunting or on the designated shooting range.
- D. Vessel use and dogs prohibited.
- E. Camping prohibited within 0.25 miles of Fryingpan River. Camping prohibited in other areas, except by licensed hunters during big game or turkey season, plus 3 days before and 3 days after the seasons.
In CPW's regulations
- a. From March 15 through October 14, firearms may only be discharged on the shooting range on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. From October 15 through March 14, firearms may only be discharged on the shooting range on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
- b. With the exception of Christine Lake and the Basalt Shooting Range, public access is prohibited from December 1 through July 15, except while spring turkey hunting.
- c. Discharge of firearms or bows is prohibited, except while hunting or on the designated shooting range.
- d. Vessel use is prohibited.
- e. Camping is allowed by licensed hunters during an established big game or turkey season plus three (3) days before and three (3) days after each season.
- f. Camping is prohibited within one-quarter (1/4) mile of the Frying Pan River.
- g. Dogs are prohibited.
From CPW regulations, chapter W-9 (Wildlife Properties), 2 CCR 406-9, dated July 16, 2026.
Read it at the source before you go
The rules above are CPW's words, copied from CPW's page for Basalt SWA as it read on October 8, 2026 and from the regulations for CPW properties. CPW can change them or close the property at any time, signs on the ground count, and a rule that names a season moves with that season each year.
Units 47 and 444, around Basalt SWA
- Elk in unit 47, 2024: 543 hunters in all seasons took 78 elk, 14% success (2023: 18% from 440 hunters). The rifle seasons alone: 389 hunters, 17%. Unit 47 elk by season
- Deer in unit 47, 2024: 173 hunters in all seasons took 66 deer, 38% success (2023: 39% from 229 hunters). The rifle seasons alone: 110 hunters, 44%. Unit 47 deer by season
- Unit 47: 294 square miles in Eagle and Pitkin Counties, 88.8% national forest and 2% BLM land, from 7,100 to 12,900 feet.
- Elk in unit 444, 2024: 1,199 hunters in all seasons took 254 elk, 21% success (2023: 17% from 992 hunters). The rifle seasons alone: 803 hunters, 24%. Unit 444 elk by season
- Deer in unit 444, 2024: 613 hunters in all seasons took 242 deer, 39% success (2023: 42% from 679 hunters). The rifle seasons alone: 444 hunters, 44%. Unit 444 deer by season
- Unit 444: 371 square miles in Eagle, Garfield and Pitkin Counties, 54.3% national forest and 8.7% BLM land, from 6,000 to 12,100 feet.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife survey estimates for the whole unit, private land included. They are not figures for this property, and whether elk or deer may be hunted here is in CPW's list above.
2026 elk and deer rifle hunt codes for units 47 and 444
| Season | 2026 dates | Legal shooting light here, opening day | Elk codes | Deer codes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st rifle | Oct 14 to Oct 18 | 6:47 AM to 7:00 PM | E-F-044-O1-R cow E-M-044-O1-R bull | |
| 2nd rifle | Oct 24 to Nov 1 | 6:58 AM to 6:46 PM | E-F-444-O2-R cow E-M-000-U2-R bull | D-F-043-O2-R doe D-F-044-O2-R doe D-F-444-O2-R doe D-M-043-O2-R buck D-M-044-O2-R buck D-M-444-O2-R buck |
| 3rd rifle | Nov 7 to Nov 15 | 6:13 AM to 5:30 PM | E-F-444-O3-R cow E-M-000-U3-R bull | D-F-043-O3-R doe D-F-444-O3-R doe D-M-043-O3-R buck D-M-444-O3-R buck |
| 4th rifle | Nov 18 to Nov 22 | 6:25 AM to 5:21 PM | E-F-044-O4-R cow E-F-045-O4-R cow E-F-047-O4-R cow E-F-444-O4-R cow E-M-044-O4-R bull E-M-045-O4-R bull E-M-047-O4-R bull E-M-444-O4-R bull | D-M-043-O4-R buck D-M-444-O4-R buck |
A code valid in the unit is not permission to hunt this property: the property's own list and restrictions decide that. Legal light is half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset at the coordinates above, on the Colorado clock; the state's printed table is the rule. Archery, muzzleloader, late and private-land codes are on the unit pages: unit 47 elk, unit 47 deer, unit 444 elk, unit 444 deer.
Nearest CPW properties to Basalt SWA
| Property | Distance | Direction | Mapped acres | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williams Hill SWA | 6.5 miles | south-east | 486 | 43 |
| Basalt SWA - Schuck Unit | 9.2 miles | east | 95 | 47, 444 |
| Bob Terrell SWA | 10.8 miles | west | 9 | 43 |
| Old Man's Gulch STL | 13.2 miles | north | 697 | 44 |
| Sam Caudill SWA | 15.4 miles | north-west | 2 | 1 |
Straight-line miles between the middles of the boundaries CPW maps, not road miles. A property can be much nearer at its edge.
All 721 State Wildlife Areas and State Trust Lands
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