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 Antonio, 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.
