Hayden is a Home Rule Municipality in Routt County, Colorado, United States. It is situated in the Yampa River Valley between Craig and Steamboat Springs. Its blockbuster natural scenery precedes its reputation as an alpha point of outdoor recreational activities like backpacking, hiking, biking and camping. Also of note are some beautiful state parks here like Stagecoach, Steamboat Lake and Pearl Lake and Elkhead Reservoir that allow hunting and fishing.
Yampa River State ParkYampa River State Park consists of 13 access points for boating along 134 miles of the Yampa River in Hayden. Visitors can also choose to pursue some scenic walkways and hiking trails that lead to the river's canyons and riparian zones that are best hallmarked by rock formations and natural habitats. The park also consists of a visitor center and a campground, the latter consisting of 50 campsites.
Elkhead State Park (Elkhead Reservoir State Park)The Elkhead State Park is located near Elkhead Reservoir in Moffat and Routt counties at about a 20 minutes drive from the city of Hayden. You can fish here for smallmouth bass, trout and northern pike. Other allied activities for visitors here include camping, fishing, boating, wildlife viewing and hiking.
Hayden Heritage Center MuseumThe Hayden Heritage Center Museum is housed inside a 100 year old building called the Moffat Railroad Depot. You should visit here for artifacts and photographs related the city’s agricultural, mining heritage, cowboy culture and ranching practices in the Yampa Valley. Also of note here are some displays regarding the history of a local business house called West Routt Company and a research library.