Rio Grande National Forest

Activities:

Backpacking

Biking

Camping

Canoeing

Climbing

Fishing

Hiking

Horse Back Riding

Hunting

Kayaking

Picnicking

Skiing

Welcome to the majestic Rio Grande National Forest located in the Rocky Mountains of southwest Colorado! This forest of over 1.8 million acres boasts landscapes ranging from alpine desert around 7,600 feet ASL and mountain tops towering over 14,000 feet ASL.

Forest History: The first human settlers of the land that is now the Rio Grande National Forest were Native Americans who arrived over 11,000 years ago. Over the span of thousands of years many hunter-gatherer tribes have occupied the region including the Utes. Some of the first known Europeans to venture into the region were Spanish explorers in the late 16th century. Mexico established numerous land grants in the new Spanish territory in order to get people to settle in the region. In 1770, Don Juan Bautista de Anza traveled through the San Luis Valley and over Ponchas Pass attempting to remove the threat the Comanche's posed to the Spanish settlers. In 1850, the land became United States Territory and settlements began to pop up in the years following. San Luis de la Culebra, the first permanent settlement in Colorado, was established in 1851 on the banks of the Rio Culebra River. Many farmers and ranchers moved into the region and the Gold Rush of the 1870's brought in many miners.

In 1891, Congress authorized the establishment of timber reserves in order to help conserve the nation's water, land, and timber resources. Various forest reserves were merged in 1908 to form the Rio Grande National Forest.

Flora and Fauna: Rio Grande National Forest helps protect the home of numerous plant and animals species. Some of the plants that grow inside the forest boundaries include aspens and pines. Some of the wild animals who call this place home include mountain lions, deer, black bears, coyotes, foxes, squirrels, raccoons, and bald eagles. Please treat their home with respect.

For the lover of the outdoors Rio Grande National Forest boasts numerous multipurpose trails, the Wolf Creek Ski Resort, and so much more. Come on out and explore.