Yampa

The town population of Yampa is 429. This remote little town was once a hunting camp named Egeria, but was later renamed for the many Yampa plants located in this area. The Yampa plant is a small green plant with tiny white flowers. Although the town lies in the Rockies, you don't get the typical views here you would elsewhere. There are no giant mountains next to it with wondrous views like in many other parts of Colorado. Yes, there are scenic spots and mountains, but not like some in surrounding areas. The town itself is kind of drab with not much to offer. It's a great place for ranching both cattle and sheep or farming hay, but there isn't much else up here for people to do. It's located about 30 miles south of Steamboat Springs, where most people do their shopping.

The town actually had an early start in the 1900s as a major area for lumber. At one point there were over 12 mills located in this remote spot. One really cool thing to see is the Yampa jail, which is a small little building that was built in 1907. It was most likely used for those who were in fights at the local saloon during the peak milling years here.

While the cost of living in Yampa isn't too far below the state average, it would be hard to move here unless you were coming prepared for a career in ranching or farming. There are very few businesses here other than an inn, and adventure types of businesses.

Yampa is a very small community in the pretty green valley of the upper Yampa River valley. The town has about 400 residents who are lucky enough to like in this peaceful spot along Colorado's remote, less traveled HW 130. Steamboat Springs in about an hour or less to the north and is the closest "big town" to Yampa for shopping and other services.

There is a public library in Yampa, a couple churches and some hotels and cabins to rent. There are ranches and amazing properties in the valley perfect for hay or cattle farming, with great mountain views in the distant all around. Online I saw a 46 acre cattle ranch with a 4 bedroom home built in 1996 for $750,000. There are small houses in town that go for $180,000.

South Routt Elementary School is in town and Soroco Middle and Soroco High School is north of town about a third of the way towards Steamboat in the litle town of Oak Creek.