West of Canon City and south of the Arkansas River this unit has resident herds of elk, mule deer and antelope. Bulls and antelope bucks are known to be on private ranches while mule deer bucks might be found throughout the unit.

Grape Creek drainage begins at DeWeese Reservoir and joins the Arkansas River just west of Canon City. There are numerous mountains over 8,000 feet with many rugged gulches, long draws and steep canyons leading to Grape Creek or the Arkansas River. There are wide and open parks throughout the middle portion of the unit.

Broad open grassy meadows, sagebrush, oak brush, bitter bush and mountain mahogany along with pinyon/juniper hillsides cover lower elevations. Ponderosa pine, aspen groves, gives way to Douglas fir, lodgepole pine and spruce at the higher elevations.

DeWeese Reservoir has some 20 free RV and tent campsites, but OHV/ATV’s are prohibited. BLM Wilderness study areas allow dispersed camping throughout these areas. Please camp only in existing sites and do not create new sites or fire rings. Wet Mountains RV Park, cabins and Grape Creek RV Park feature RV and tent sites, cabin and trailer rentals and amenities such as laundry facilities and a clubhouse.

Canon City, a population of over 16,000, is on U.S. Highway 50 and is the closest community that provides motels, restaurants, banking, gas, diesel and medical facilities. Mountain towns of Westcliffe, Texas Creek, Wetmore and Silver Cliff may offer small motels, gas and cafes.

U.S. Highway 50 along the Arkansas River creates the northern boundary, Colorado Route 69 forms the western edge just east of the Wet Mountain Valley and all intersect with County Roads that reach the interior of the unit. BLM Wilderness Study areas, McIntyre Hills, 13,325 acres, are east of Colorado Route 69 and northwest of Coyote Run Road. Lower Grape Creek is 7,433 acres and is south of County Road 28 and Upper Grape Creek, 5,679 acres, is near County Road 1.

The following state lands are open to public hunting. Locations, directions and restrictions are listed in Colorado State Recreation Lands and Colorado State Trust Lands.