GMU 561 GMU 561 — Chaffee/Saguache Co.
Compact high-country backcountry hunt west of Salida
Central Colorado — south Sawatch crest above Poncha Pass · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
128
sq mi
Public land
91%
approx.
Elevation
7,500–13,951
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
GMU 561 is a small, rugged high-altitude unit in Chaffee and Saguache counties, tucked against the Continental Divide of the southern Sawatch Range west of Salida and Poncha Springs. It runs from the Arkansas-side valleys up to alpine ridgelines near 14,000 feet around the Mount Ouray and Marshall Pass country. Elk and mule deer are the whole show here — roughly 91% public San Isabel National Forest, steep and demanding, rewarding hunters who leave the roads behind.
Terrain
Compact, steep mountain unit climbing from valley benches to timberline and alpine tundra along the Continental Divide; rugged high basins, dark timber and open tundra ridges.
Cover: Sagebrush and pinyon-juniper low, Gambel oak and mountain shrub mid-slope, aspen and spruce-fir on the higher slopes grading into alpine tundra near the Divide.
Landmarks: Continental Divide · Mount Ouray · Chipeta Mountain · Marshall Pass · Poncha Pass · Silver Creek / South Arkansas drainages
Access
Nearly all public — about 91% San Isabel National Forest with some Rio Grande NF on the Saguache side — with forest and four-wheel-drive road access from the Marshall Pass and Poncha Pass corridors. Private ground is limited to the lower valley benches near the highways; get permission there. Colorado State Trust Land is closed to hunting unless enrolled in CPW's Public Access Program; verify individual parcels.
Managers: USFS San Isabel NF, USFS Rio Grande NF, BLM, Private ranch (valley floor)
Access points: US 285 over Poncha Pass · US 50 west of Poncha Springs · Marshall Pass Road · Poncha Creek / Silver Creek forest roads · South Arkansas River drainage roads
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common opportunityThe primary species and an over-the-counter unit — elk hold the timbered mid-elevation slopes and high basins along the Divide. Success here comes from getting deep and hunting away from the road corridors; it's steep, honest backcountry rather than road hunting.
- →Hunt the aspen-to-spruce timber and high basins off the main roads
- →Work north-facing dark timber for daytime bedding
- →Get above the Marshall/Poncha Pass access and hunt on foot
- →Glass timber edges and parks near timberline at first and last light
Mule Deer
common qualityA limited-draw deer unit with healthy numbers and a distinctive early-September, above-timberline rifle opportunity for mature bucks in the alpine. Diligent, mobile hunters who glass high do best.
- →Glass alpine and timberline basins in the early high-country season
- →Work oak brush and aspen benches lower down in later seasons
- →Stay mobile and hunt away from trails
- →Deer is application-only — build preference points
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bears use the oak brush, aspen and berry slopes of the mid-elevations. A reasonable added tag alongside an early elk or deer hunt.
- →Hunt oak-brush and serviceberry slopes in early fall
- →Focus aspen and creek bottoms during good mast years
- →Glass forest openings at first and last light
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyBighorns range the alpine cliffs and tundra around Mount Ouray, Chipeta Mountain and the Marshall Pass high country. A once-in-a-lifetime limited draw with very few tags — a lottery hunt only.
- →Glass alpine cliff bands and talus near Mount Ouray and Chipeta
- →Scout the Divide high country in late summer
- →Expect steep, technical alpine approaches
Mountain Goat
limited trophyMountain goats inhabit the alpine tundra and rock along the Sawatch crest around Mount Ouray. A once-in-a-lifetime limited draw with a tiny quota — a prized lottery tag, not a general hunt.
- →Glass tundra and rock above timberline near the Divide
- →Scout goat bands from the Marshall Pass high country in summer
- →Plan for high-effort, high-elevation hunting
Pro tips
- →This is a foot-hunter's unit — get off the Marshall/Poncha Pass roads and into the timber and basins
- →Chase the early-September high-country deer season above timberline for mature bucks
- →Hunt north-facing dark timber for elk holding through the day
- →Time later rifle hunts to the first snow that pushes game off the Divide
- →Confirm Public Access Program enrollment before hunting any State Trust Land parcel
Watch out for
- !Steep, small unit — easy to cross the Divide boundary into 551; know exactly where you are
- !Private ranch ground on the lower valley benches near the highways
- !State Trust Land closed unless PAP-enrolled
- !Early snow closing Marshall Pass and high forest roads
- !Extreme-elevation alpine terrain demands serious conditioning
Logistics
Salida and Poncha Springs are the closest hubs for fuel, lodging, groceries and processing, with Buena Vista a short drive north. Dispersed San Isabel camping is available up the Marshall Pass and Poncha Creek roads. This is small, steep country — plan on backpacking or spike-camping to reach the good timber and alpine, and expect early snow to close the high roads in late fall.
Nearest towns: Salida, Poncha Springs, Maysville, Buena Vista, Villa Grove
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Colorado sources:
Research sources: Colorado Parks & Wildlife — Big Game Hunting · GOHUNT — Colorado Unit 561 profile (public land, terrain) · HuntScore — Colorado GMU 561 (Chaffee/Saguache) · Colorado State Land Board — Public Access Program
FAQ
- How big is GMU 561 in Colorado?
- GMU 561 (GMU 561 — Chaffee/Saguache Co.) covers about 128 square miles, ranging from roughly 7,500 to 13,951 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 561?
- Approximately 91% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS San Isabel NF, USFS Rio Grande NF, BLM, Private ranch (valley floor). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 561?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Black Bear, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Colorado agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put GMU 561 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.