Meeker Colorado and the White River Valley

The Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway cuts through the heart of the original White River Plateau Timberland Reserve, set aside in the late 19th century as the second unit of what eventually became the National Forest system. Two decades later, in a foreshadowing of the 1964 Wilderness Act initiated by Arthur Carhartt, development of any kind was banned around Trapper’s Lake (the "Cradle of Wilderness").

The area’s long-standing history of preservation and multiple-use land management makes for pristine scenery and superlative wildlife viewing. Yet this remains very much a "working" byway, dotted with active mines, ranches, and timber-producing woodlands. Meeker and Yampa, the route’s two endpoints, embody the rugged individualism that lies at the heart of western lore.

Length: 82 miles
Driving time: 2 hours
Special considerations: Fill tank in Yampa, Buford, or Meeker; roads muddy when wet. The byway is closed for much of the winter, but is used extensively by snowmobilers.
Special features: White River National Forest, Flat Tops Wilderness Area
Contact: USFS - Blanco District, 317 East Market St., Meeker, CO 81641  (970)878-4039  Fax:(970)878-5173 E-Mail:  Blanco District or contact the Yampa Ranger District, P.O. Box 7, 300 Roselawn, Yampa CO 80483 Phone 970-638-4516