The Town of Yampa is the eastern gateway to the Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway.  The town was first called Egeria, but was later named Yampa due to the abundance of Yampa plants in the area.  The first claims were filed in 1881 and by 1906, Yampa incorporated.  In its early days, Yampa was a shipping center for goods hauled by horse-drawn wagons, first from Denver and then, when the railroad was extended to Wolcott, from the railroad in Wolcott to the homesteaders in the Steamboat Springs area.  It also served as a stage stop. 

Yampa’s past can still be seen on Moffat Avenue, which was built double the width to accommodate the daily business of freight wagons, stagecoaches, and cattle and sheep drives to the railroad stock pens. Moffat Avenue served for rodeos, horse races and July 4th celebrations and still does.  Ranching, timber, the railroad and the growing of lettuce and spinach were the early day professions.  Today, local ranchers still drive sheep and cattle through town from one pasture to the next.  Who knows, you might be in town at just the right time to witness such an event.  Ranching, railroading, education, government, tourism and work in the nearby resort communities and coalmines, keep Yampa’s population of approximately 500 people living the good life.