The Homestake Valley encompasses portions of the Holy Cross Wilderness and the Homestake Roadless Area. These pristine wildlands offer solitude and a refuge for wildlife, as well as numerous opportunities for backcountry recreation such as hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, photography, backpacking, wildlife viewing and more.

The wetlands, streams and forests of the Homestake Valley are home to an abundance of wildlife, including threatened species like the Canada lynx and the Greenback Cutthroat trout. In the summer, the Homestake Valley serves as an important breeding and nesting ground for a variety of bird species. In the winter months, the gentle slopes of the valley provide important elk winter range.

Homestake Creek is the Valley’s ecological artery, an important tributary to the Eagle River, which provides water to the nearby communities of Red Cliff and Minturn. Homestake Creek is an integral part of the system which sustains the Valley’s rare and ecologically important fen wetlands. These wetlands take thousands of years to form and support unique species such as the boreal toad, a Colorado state threatened species.