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Colorado’s National Forests Guide and Maps
By PK | August 1, 2008
Pack up for a weekend of fun, relaxation, and cooler weather in the one of Colorado’s eleven National Forests encompassing over 14 million acres throughout the state. North of Interstate 70, you can enjoy a wonderful time in Routt National Forest, Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest close to the Rocky Mountain National Park, and White River National Forest. Centrally located forests are Grande Mesa National Forest, Uncompahgre National Forest, Gunnison National Forest, Pike National Forest, White River National Forest and San Isabel National Forest. Looking for something more southernly, try San Juan National Forest, Rio Grande National Forest and San Isabel National Forest.
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
(Picture taken west of Denver on I-70, Arapaho National Forest)
The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland (ARP) is located in north central Colorado (see map). The forests and grassland encompasses 1.5 million acres and extends north to the Wyoming border, south of Interstate 70 to Mount Evans, west across the Continental Divide to the Williams Fork area and includes short grass prairie east of I-25. The forests and grassland is head-quartered in Fort Collins, with district offices in Boulder, Fort Collins, Idaho Springs, Granby and Greeley.
If you are planning a trip to the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland, make sure to check out the ARP Visitor Guide for information about recreational activities, safety, and exciting places to visit.
What to do?
Camping, Picnicking, Scenic Drives, Wildlife Viewing, Hiking Trails, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Canoeing and Flatwater Boating, Rafting and Kayaking, Four-wheel Driving, Dirt Bikes and ATVs, Skiing and Snowshoeing, Snowmobiling, Fishing and Hunting, and Horseback Riding.
Where to go?
Scenic Byways, Wilderness Areas, Cache la Poudre Wild and Scenic River, Arapaho National Recreation Area, Historical and Archeological Sites, and ARP Area Map.
For more information about the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, click on this link for additional pictures, maps, guides, and other useful information. You must have Adobe Reader as it is a pdf file. The Adobe Reader link will take you to their website for a free download.
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forest
(Picture taken top of Grand Mesa, Rt. 65)
The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests are a combination of separate National Forests located on the western slope of the Colorado Rockies. These three combined Forests cover 3,161,912 acres of public land in the central and southern Rocky Mountains, an area that lies south of the Colorado River and west of the Continental Divide with some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rockies.
The Forests vary in elevation from 5,800 feet above sea level in Roubideau Creek Canyon to 14,309 feet on Uncompahgre Peak.
The Forests include spectacular features like the 355 foot high Bridal Veil falls; the Grand Mesa with over 300 lakes, one of the world’s largest flat top mountains; and Alpine Tunnel, once the highest railroad tunnel in North America.
(Picture taken north of Ouray on Hwy 550, Uncompahgre National Forest)
For a list of activites, road conditions, links to maps, passes and permits, campgrounds and lots of other information, click on the link for Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests.
Pike and San Isabel National Forests
(Picture taken Rt. 24, San Isabel National Forest)
The recreation opportunities in the Pike, San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron, Comanche National Grasslands are countless. Visitors can visit ghost towns or backpack for miles on the Colorado or Continental Divide Trails. The terrain provides challenges for beginners and experts alike. Fishing, hiking, kayaking, rafting, mountain biking and four-wheel driving are only a few of the activities accessible in the mountains, valleys and canyons of the Pike San Isabel National Forests.
The Pike National Forest encompasses over one million acres of land in south central Colorado. This region includes 14,000 foot mountains, gold-medal fishing streams, wilderness areas, campgrounds, scenic byways, ski resorts and hundreds of miles of trails.
The San Isabel National Forest consists of over one million acres of mountains, rivers, canyons and meadows. The forest is bounded on the west and north by the Continental Divide and on the east by the Pike National Forest.
The Comanche and Cimarron Grasslands provide access to some remote backcountry that promises interesting geological, historical and cultural sites. Reminders of ancient life that existed in the area, both reptilian and Homo sapiens, pervade the grassland. Solitude is guaranteed in most areas of the grasslands.
Several areas of the grasslands are open for various recreational uses. Hiking, mountain biking, educational activities, viewing historical sites, scenic driving, horseback riding and picnicking are among the recreation opportunities to be enjoyed in the region.
For a list of activites, road conditions, links to maps, passes and permits, campgrounds and lots of other information, click on the link for Pike and San Isabel National Forests.
Rio Grande National Forest
(Picture taken on Hwy 160, Rio Grande National Forest)
The Rio Grande National Forest (NF) is 1.86 million acres located in southwestern Colorado and remains one of the true undiscovered jewels of Colorado. The Continental Divide runs for 236 miles along most of the western border of the Forest. The Forest presents myriad ecosystems; from 7600-ft alpine desert to over 14,300-ft in the majestic Sangre de Cristo Wilderness on the eastern side. The Forest embraces the San Luis Valley, the largest agricultural alpine valley in the world and includes all or parts of four Wilderness Areas (South San Juan, Weminuche, La Garita and Sangre de Cristo). The Forest also is the headwaters of the Rio Grande River and has the moonscape wonder of the Wheeler Geologic Area, established by Theodore Roosevelt in 1911. The Anasazi were visitors here and many of their sites remain.
Denver is 4-hours north and Albuquerque is 4-hours south of us, so when you get the itch to experience some outdoor recreation opportunities come and see us.
For the outdoor enthusiast, the Rio Grande NF has recreation and adventure opportunities for the heartiest of souls, or enjoy the backcountry from the Cumbres & Toltec Narrow Gauge Railroad which runs from Antonito, Colorado across the Forest to Chama, New Mexico. Whether walking, driving or riding, the Rio Grande NF has something for everyone.
Long summer days in the 80’s transition through a colorful and crisp fall to what can be an extreme winter, with temperatures often dipping well below zero and, in some years, frequent snows.
For a list of activites, road conditions, links to maps, passes and permits, campgrounds and lots of other information, click on Rio Grande National Forest.
White River National Forest
(Picture taken Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway, White River National Forest)
Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the 2.3 million acre White River National Forest is the top recreation Forest in the nation. Home to world-renowned ski resorts and the birthplace of Wilderness, the White River has something to offer every outdoor enthusiast.
For a list of camping, wilderness areas, trails, fishing, and much more, click on White River National Forest.
San Juan National Forest
(Picture taken on Hwy 160, Durango, San Juan National Forest)
The San Juan National Forest is open to anyone, but how much do you really know about the plants, animals, and other natural features of the area?
Find out more about the physical, biological, and ecological aspects of southwestern Colorado that make the area unique. The spectacular landscape of the forest was shaped by continental and alpine glaciers. Valleys were carved out and lakes left behind. This created the land that early American Indians inhabited, and Eastern settlers viewed in awe.
For more information on activities, campgrounds, passes and permits, maps and much more, click on San Juan National Forest.
Routt National Forest
(Picture taken Routt National Forest, my personal favorite.)
Visitor opportunities abound on the 2,883,943 acres of Forests and Grassland.
The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests extend from north central Colorado to central Wyoming. The Forests encompass portions of many mountain ranges including the Gore Range, Flat Tops, Parks Range, Medicine Bow Mountains, Sierra Madre, and Laramie Range. The Forests provide year-round recreation opportunities for thousands of people. They also provide wildlife habitat, timber, forage for livestock, and are a vital source of water for irrigation, domestic use, and industry.
The topography varies greatly within the Forests due to the large geographic area encompassed. Elevations range from 5,500 feet to 12,940 feet. The climate of the Forests ranges from semi-arid at low elevations to cold and humid in the high country. Frost may occur at any time, and visitors to the higher elevations should be prepared for harsh weather, including snow and high winds, even during the summer months. Different districts administer different areas of each forest. References to these districts appear on a map and in sections of this guide. For more information, please contact us.
The Thunder Basin National Grassland is located in northeastern Wyoming in the Powder River Basin between the Big Horn Mountains and the Black Hills. The Grassland ranges in elevation from 3,600 feet to 5,200 feet and the climate is semi-arid. The Grassland provides unique opportunities for recreation, including hiking, sightseeing, hunting, and fishing. There are no developed campgrounds; however, camping is allowed. The Grassland abounds with wildlife year-round, provides forage for livestock, and is underlain with vast mineral resources. Land patterns are very complex because of the intermingled federal, state, and private lands. The Douglas Ranger District administers the Grassland.
There are 10 designated Wilderness Areas on the Forest, approximately 1360 developed sites, 2 ski areas (the Steamboat Springs Ski Area has worldwide acclaim), 162 recreational homes with Forest Service permits, and eight mountain lakes with developed boating facilities. On the combined Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, downhill skiing and general winter sports are the most popular activities, followed by mechanized travel (including driving, OHV, boating, and bicycling), camping and developed site uses, hunting, and then fishing.
For more information on camping, hunting, passes and permits, maps, click on Routt National Forest.
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Topics: "Post Cards From the West", Colorado, Hiking, Camping, Fishing,, Routt National Forest, Wildlife and Hunting |
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