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Information About

Uncompahgre National Forest




Uncompahgre National Forest is a U.S. National Forest covering over 1,000,000 acres (4,000 km²) in Gunnison , Hinsdale , Mesa , Montrose , Ouray and San Miguel Counties in Western Colorado . It borders San Juan National Forest to the south.

Within the national forest boundaries can be found the arid Uncompahgre Plateau and the northern portion of the San Juan Mountains . The forest contains three Alpine Wilderness Area s, Uncompahgre (formally the Big Blue), Mount Sneffels and Lizard Head .

The Uncompahgre National Forest is managed jointly with the Grand Mesa and Gunnison National Forests headquarted in Delta .


RECREATION

The varied climate, sparce population, and abundance of sun make Uncompahgre National Forest popular with jeepers, atv'ers, sight seers, and hikers. Probably the most common recreational activity within the Forest boundaries is scenic driving, thanks in part to the Million Dollar Highway .

There are several dirt roads within the Uncompahgre; some are old mining roads left over from the 1800s gold rush, others are occasionally used by the Forest Service. Paved roads are of course more popular, including the San Juan Skyway , Alpine Loop , Unaweep/Tabeguache Scenic And Historic Byway , and Owl Creek Pass , which is gravel.


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