Colorado National Forests
Colorado’s eleven National Forests preserve and protect over 28,750 square miles of land. Summer and Winter you’ll find so many recreational opportunities in the National Forests of Colorado. This section of Colorado Outing helps you discover all the possibilities specific to each one. Select a National Forest from the list below to start learning more…
Arapaho National Forest
Originally established by Theodore Roosevelt on July 1, 1908, the Arapaho National Forest consists of 723,744 acres of land that straddles the Continental Divide in the northern part of Colorado. It was named for the Arapaho Indian tribe that previously inhabited the area. This Colorado National Forest includes everything from the high Rockies to the[continue reading...]
Beetle Kill in the Colorado Mountains
Driving into the high country is a thrilling and wonderful experience most of the time. For the past couple of seasons, however, there is a sadness too. The beautiful pine forests that Colorado natives and tourists alike have enjoyed for decades are being systematically attacked and killed by a ruthless and rampant enemy: The Mountain[continue reading...]
Grand Mesa National Forest
Created by President Benjamin Harrison on December 24, 1892, the Grand Mesa National Forest was originally named the Battlement Mesa Forest Reserve. The Grand Mesa National Forest contains a total of 346,555 acres of land including the world’s largest flat-top mountain. Over 100 lakes and reservoirs are scattered across the Grand Mesa, which was the[continue reading...]
Roosevelt National Forest
The Roosevelt National Forest began in 1897 as part of the Medicine Bow Forest Reserve. In 1910 it was renamed the Colorado National Forest, and then in 1932 was again renamed renamed by President Herbert Hoover to honor President Theodore Roosevelt. The forest has a total area of 813,799 acres or 1,271.56 sq miles. It[continue reading...]
Routt National Forest
The Routt National Forest, located in the Northwest region of Colorado was established in 1908 to honor Colonel John N. Routt, the first elected governor of Colorado. It was merged with the Medicine Bow National Forest and the Thunder Basin National Grassland in Wyoming, forming the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland[continue reading...]
San Isabel National Forest
Colorado’s San Isabel National Forest contains over 1,120,000 acres of land in eleven South Central and Northwest Colorado counties; Chaffee, Costilla, Custer, Fremont, Huerfano, Lake, Las Animas, Park, Pueblo, Saguache and Summit. This Colorado National Forest contains 19 of the state’s mountains over 14,000 feet (fourteener’s) including the Colorado’s highest peak, Mt. Elbert. Three major[continue reading...]
