 | | The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests are a combination of separate National Forests located on the western slope of the Colorado Rockies. These three combined Forests cover 3,161,912 acres of public land in the central and southern Rocky Mountains. They consist of 10 wilderness areas and vary in elevation from 5,800 feet above sea level in Roubideau Creek Canyon to 14,309 feet on Uncompahgre Peak.President Benjamin Harrison created the Grand Mesa National Forest on December 24, 1892. It was originally called the Battlement Mesa Forest Reserve and was the third such reserve to be created in the nation. President Theodore Roosevelt created the Gunnison National Forest, originally called the Cochetopa Forest Reserve, on June 13, 1905 and the Uncompahgre Forest Reserve on June 14, 1905.The Forests include features like the 355 foot high Bridal Veil falls; the Grand Mesa with over 300 lakes, one of the world's largest flat top mountains; Alpine Tunnel, once the highest railroad tunnel in North America; and Dry Mesa Dinosaur Quarry, one of the world's largest dinosaur bone deposits.Popular recreation activities in this large and diverse area include downhill and cross-country skiing, developed and dispersed camping, four-wheel driving, sightseeing, hunting, fishing, hiking, boating, snowmobiling, picnicking, mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing and backpacking. |
| |  | | | Facilities: There are numerous campgrounds open for developed and dispersed camping within the forests. Reservations: Campground reservations can be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777. Best Time To Visit: The forests are open year-round. Summer high temperatures in much of the forest areas reach into the 70s and low 80s while temperatures commonly reach into the 90s around the towns of Delta and Montrose. Evenings are cool, with temperatures that can often dip into the 30s in the high country. Afternoon summer thunderstorms are common. Snow is possible at any time of year in the highest elevations. The high elevation roads and trails are often not clear of snow until at least mid-July. The relative humidity is quite low throughout the year. Winter lows occasionally dip to minus 35 degrees, though daytime temperatures are often in the 20s to 30s. Much of the precipitation comes in the winter, when heavy snow can be expected in most forest areas.Fees: Permits are required for certain individual and commercial activities that occur in the forest, Some campgrounds may also charge a camping fee. Call for more information. Accessibility: Unknown Rules: All visitors and users of the National Forests are subject to Federal Regulations. The points of conduct listed here are included and enforceable through Federal Regulations. CFR Title 36, Part 261 - Prohibitions, are applicable to the National Forests. Copies of Title 36 are on file at all Forest Supervisor and District Ranger offices. Public Property Preserve and protect your National Forests. Leave natural areas the way you find them. Practice "Leave No Trace" ethics. Do not carve, chop, cut and damage any live trees. Camping If you are staying at a campground, you must camp only in those places specifically provided or marked. All vehicles, RVs, and trailers must be parked on your campsite or driveway. Driving or parking off road is not permitted. Quiet hours are between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Please be considerate of others. Sanitation Help prevent pollution by keeping garbage, litter, and foreign substances out of lakes, streams, and other waters. All garbage and litter must either be deposited in containers provided, or taken with you when you leave. Camp Fires Obey any restrictions on fires. Fires may be limited or prohibited at certain times. Within campgrounds and other recreation areas, fires may only be built in fire rings, stoves, grills, or fireplaces provided for that purpose. Be sure your fire is completely extinguished before leaving. Do not leave your fire unattended. You are responsible for keeping fires under control. Vehicles Drivers must obey all traffic signs and operate their vehicles in accordance with posted regulations, and applicable Federal, State and local laws. Vehicles must be parked in designated areas only. Use of vehicles within campgrounds and other recreation areas is limited to entering or leaving those areas. Pets and Animals Pets must be restrained or on a leash at all times while in developed recreation areas. Pets (except guide dogs) are not allowed in swimming areas or sanitary facilities. Saddle or pack animals are only allowed where authorized by posted instructions. Fireworks Use of fireworks or other explosives within campgrounds and other recreation areas is prohibited.Directions: The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests are a combination of separate National Forests located on the western slope of the Colorado Rockies. These three combined Forests cover 3,161,912 acres of public land in the central and southern Rocky Mountains, an area that lies south of the Colorado River and west of the Continental Divide with some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rockies. | | |
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| | | | Address | | Grand Mesa, Gunnison and Uncompahgre National Forests | | 2250 Highway 50 | | Delta, Colorado 81416 |
| | | Phone | | General: (970) 874-6600 | |
| | | | | Website | | Email |
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