Elk Hunting Land for Sale in Southern Colorado (GMU 83)

This guide walks through what the elk hunting land for sale here actually offers: where it sits, what game lives on it, how public access works, and what you need to know about licenses, weather, and the law before you hunt. This information comes from someone who has walked and marked these parcels personally, with an honest picture of what the land is and isn’t. If you’ve been weighing whether to buy land for elk hunting in this part of the state, the details below should help you decide with clear eyes.

The parcels sit near Fort Garland in Costilla County, in Southern Colorado’s San Luis Valley. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains rise to the east, and Great Sand Dunes National Park lies a short drive to the north. The Sierra Blanca Massif dominates the northern skyline, crowned by Blanca Peak at 14,351 feet, the highest summit in the Sangre de Cristo Range alongside Ellingwood Point, Mount Lindsey, and Little Bear Peak, forming a striking cluster of four fourteeners.

GMU 83 is home to two notable big-game herds. The Trinchera elk herd (DAU 33, spanning GMUs 83, 85, 851, and 140) is estimated at roughly 14,700 animals as of the 2023 post-hunt count. Separately, the Trinchera mule deer herd (DAU D-31, confined to GMU 83) runs a smaller population in the range of 2,000 to 2,500. Both numbers shift by season and location, so treat them as honest estimates rather than guarantees.

Seasonal movement follows a predictable pattern. When cold weather sets in, elk drop to lower elevations; during warmer stretches, they climb higher. Planning your access around that movement makes a real difference. Trophy bulls are part of this herd too, though chasing one takes patience and the right tag.

Deer: Plentiful across the Sangre de Cristo Ranches and along the wooded slopes below Mt. Blanca in the San Luis Valley Ranches. 

Antelope (Pronghorn): Common in the open terrain below the Blanca Peak massif, visible to the west/southwest from Ft. Garland and the SDCR. Also found along Highway 160, near Smith Reservoir, and out on the San Luis Valley floor.

A parcel here gives you access to multiple species across several seasons, which stretches the value of your investment. 

BLM land lies along the western flanks of the Blanca Massif, stretching toward the Great Sand Dunes to the northwest. The Rio Grande National Forest and high-country hunting ground follow the crest of the Sangre de Cristo Range, accessible off Forbes Road and up into the forested slopes above the valley. Together, these public lands offer thousands of acres of elk, deer, and antelope hunting within a short drive of the parcels.

Public BLM and forest hunting ground is typically 15 to 60 minutes from SDCR parcels, depending on elevation and which side of the range you’re heading to. High-country parcels sit at the forest line and are as close as 15 minutes to the Rio Grande National Forest; lower San Luis Valley parcels are similarly close to BLM ground on the western flanks of the Blanca Massif. Most parcels fall in the 30-to-45-minute range, and those saved minutes add up fast across a multi-day hunt.

Camping while hunting: BLM and national forest dispersed camping allows up to 14 days per 30-day period. On your own parcel, Costilla County allows 14 days of RV camping per 3-month period — no septic or utilities needed for short stays. See our Costilla Rules & Permits page for long-term and building permit details.

Some upper roads, such as Forbes Road, end at a gate near the wilderness boundary. Park legally and hike or pack in from there. Watch for U.S. Forest Service boundary markers and wilderness signage and avoid private property so you stay on the right side of the rules. 

GMU 83 offers over-the-counter (OTC) bull elk tags for the 2nd and 3rd rifle  seasons, no draw or preference points required. You can buy these any time  before or during the season. This is what makes the unit accessible: it’s a  zero-point unit where you can plan a rifle bull hunt and simply go. 

Other hunts here require the Primary Draw, including archery elk (draw-only  west of I-25 since 2025), cow/antlerless elk, 1st and 4th rifle seasons, and  all mule deer (Colorado issues no OTC deer tags anywhere). For 2026, the draw application window runs March 1 to April 7, results post in late May, and  payment is due by mid-June if you draw. 

You can buy licenses online at cpwshop.com or in person at authorized agents, including hardware stores in Fort Garland, Alamosa, and Monte Vista. OTC lists and regulations change year to year, so always confirm the current-year status directly with Colorado Parks and Wildlife before you count on a particular season or tag.

Getting around this country takes preparation. A few practical points: 

Vehicles: 4WD is strongly recommended. The main hazards are mud and snow that can leave you stuck, not formal road closures. 

Winter access: The high country isn’t plowed in winter. Some people park low and snowmobile up. 

Cell service: Coverage is limited and often disappears above the ranches, plan for stretches with no signal. 

Fuel & supplies: Stock up in Fort Garland or Alamosa before heading up; there are no services in the high country. 

Game processing: Available in the Alamosa area, roughly 26 miles away. 

Field-dressing & pack-out: From a Greenbelt or trail access point, hunters reach the nearest road to dress game or haul it out. 

Knowing these realities ahead of time keeps a hunt from turning into a recovery mission. 

Colorado law restricts discharging a firearm near occupied buildings, and shooting across or from a public road is prohibited. These rules apply to everyone, including landowners hunting their own property. We encourage every owner to hunt responsibly and be a good neighbor by keeping a safe distance from nearby homes. Because rules can change and enforcement varies, always confirm current requirements directly with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Costilla County Sheriff’s Office before hunting.

Sattler Mountain Land has served Southern Colorado since 1996, helping people find the right parcel for their goals. The parcels described here were marked personally, with first hand knowledge of the terrain and the seasonal rhythms of GMU 83. Buying land is a big decision, which is why flexible owner-financing options are available to make ownership accessible. Detailed maps and GPS coordinates are available for every parcel, so you can explore the ground independently before you commit. 

A parcel inside GMU 83 puts you within reach of the Trinchera elk herd, surrounded by public forest, BLM, and wilderness ground that hunters travel across the country to reach. The smartest play has always been the same: basecamp low, hunt the public high country, and let proximity work in your favor.

If you’re ready to put down roots in elk country, the next step is simple. Reach out to Sattler Mountain Land to discuss available parcels, financing, and any questions you have about the area. Confirm your tags and current regulations with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, then start planning the kind of hunting future that only land ownership can secure.

Yes. GMU 83, the Trinchera unit, is known for strong elk and mule deer numbers and a solid reputation for both opportunity and trophy bulls. Populations shift by season and location, so treat any figures as estimates, not guarantees.

Sometimes, it depends on the parcel. Colorado law and local zoning restrict discharging a firearm near occupied buildings, so on a lot surrounded by homes it may not be possible, while a parcel with no nearby occupied dwellings within the legal buffer may allow it. The main value of most lots is still as a basecamp to reach nearby public land. Always verify what’s allowed for your specific parcel with Costilla County and Colorado Parks and Wildlife before hunting it.

Not always. GMU 83 offers over-the-counter (OTC) bull elk tags for the 2nd and 3rd rifle seasons, no draw required. Cow/antlerless elk, archery elk, and other seasons require the Primary Draw (applications March 1 to April 7). OTC lists change yearly, so confirm current status in the CPW Big Game Brochure.

ATVs and trucks are allowed on private land and many BLM and county roads. Once you cross into the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness or other designated wilderness, motorized vehicles and bicycles are prohibited, foot or horseback only. Park legally at the boundary and pack in from there.

Public BLM and forest ground is typically 15–60 minutes from most SDCR parcels, depending on location and conditions. The advantage is starting each morning from your own land, already near the unit, instead of driving in from town. Lower lots sit closer still. 

4WD is strongly recommended. The main hazards are mud and snow rather than formal closures. The high country isn’t plowed in winter, so some hunters park low and use a snowmobile to reach higher ground.