Rio Grande National Forest
The Rio Grande National Forest includes almost two million acres of publicly owned land on the eastern slope of the Continental Divide. Parts of two spectacular mountain ranges, the San Juans and the Sangre de Cristos, are within the Forest. Also included are the headwaters of the third longest river in the United States - the Rio Grande del Norte.
The Rio Grande National Forest is one of the eleven original National Forests in Colorado (several have since been "administratively combined"). President Theodore Roosevelt established the Forest by Presidential Proclamation in 1908. This action combined parts of the former Cochetopah and the present San Juan National Forests into what is now the Rio Grande National Forest.
The Forest Supervisor is located two miles west of Monte Vista on US Highway 160. District Ranger Stations are located in La Jara, Del Norte, Creede, and Saguache.
- Silver Thread Scenic Byway
- Wheeler Geologic Area
- 6 peaks over 14,000'
- Numerous Ghost Towns
- Gold Medal Fishing Waters on the Rio Grande
- Wolf Creek Ski Area
- Creede, Bonanza, Platoro, Summitville
Black bear, mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, red tail hawks, wild turkeys, and mountain lions are among the animals and birds that make the Forest their home. The Colorado Division of Wildlife has also reintroduced moose into the Forest in the Spring Creek area, west of Creede.
Variety is the word to describe the outdoor recreation opportunities of the Forest. From the rugged and jagged peaks of the Sangre de Cristos to the forested table lands and glacial canyons of the San Juans, the outdoor enthusiast can enjoy any activity suited to the day or the season.
Parts of the following Wilderness Areas are in the Rio Grande National Forest:
