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Uncompahgre National Forest in western Colorado offers you spectacular and full of natural marvels. Uncompahgre National Forest is part of a single administrative unit called Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest (GMUG), which comprises three individual national forests: Grand Mesa Uncompahgre National Forest, and Gunnison National Forest. Adventure seekers can enjoy ample recreation opportunities here.
You will find the Uncompahgre Plateau and parts of the San Juan Mountains on the western slope of the Uncompahgre national forest. This beautiful national forest showcases one of several designated scenic routes, including the Unaweep Tabeguache Byway. Enjoy the remote, rugged, and spectacular beauty of Uncompahgre National Forest.
Where is Uncompahgre National Forest
Uncompahgre National Forest is located in western Colorado. It is spread across nine counties, including Delta, San Juan, Gunnison, San Miguel, Montrose, Ouray, Mesa, and Hinsdale Counties. It is headquartered in the city of Delta. Check this Colorado National Parks Map to find Uncompahgre National Forest on the Colorado Map.
Places to Visit Nearby
- San Juan National Forest
- Ridgway State Park
- Mancos State Park
- Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Crawford State Park
- Navajo State Park
- Yucca House National Monument
- Santa Fe
- Denver
- Salt Lake City
- Phoenix
- San Diego
- Ophir
- Telluride
- Sawpit
Things to Do
- Bicycling
- Mountain Biking
- Camping & Cabins
- Cabin Rentals
- Campground Camping
- Dispersed Camping
- Group Camping
- RV Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Riding & Camping
- Hunting
- Nature Viewing
- OHV Riding & Camping
- OHV Camping
- OHV Road Riding
- OHV Trail Riding
- Outdoor Learning
- Picnicking
- Rocks & Minerals
- Scenic Driving
- Water Activities
- Boating – Motorized
- Boating – Non-Motorized
- Winter Sports
- Skiing/Snowboarding
- Sledging/Tubing
- Snowmobiling
- XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
- Target Shooting
Hikes
More than 3,500 miles of trails in Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests are spread across 2.9 million acres (4,531 sq mi or 11,736 sq km).
Best Hikes in Uncompahgre National Forest
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Bridal Veil Falls to Blue Lake
This moderately challenging 5.7 miles (9.2 km) long out and back trail near Colorado’s Telluride will take you around three and half hours to complete the hike. It remains open throughout the year. However, June-October is the best time to visit.
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Jud Wiebe Memorial Trail
Jud Wiebe Memorial Trail is a moderately challenging 3.10 mile (5 km) long loop trail near Colorado’s Telluride. It will take you around two hours to complete the hike. This trail is best for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. May-October is the best time to visit.
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Mount Sneffels via Yankee Boy Basin
Mount Sneffels via Yankee Boy Basin is a significantly challenging 7.10 mile (11.4 km) long loop trail near Colorado’s Telluride. It will take you around five hours to complete the hike. This trail remains open round the year. June-September is the best time to visit.
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Lower Cascade Fall Trail
If you are looking for an easy walk to enjoy the sight of a waterfall, Lower Cascade Fall Trail is perfect for you. A 0.20 mile (0.3 km) out and back trail near Colorado’s Ouray is ideal for trail running, mountain biking, and hiking. February-November is the best time to visit.
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Upper Box Canyon Trail
This is yet another short (0.3 mile or 0.5 km) and easy hiking trail in Colorado’s Ouray. Upper Box Canyon Trail will take you just 18 minutes to complete the hike. Enjoy great views from the footbridge along your nature trip, walking, or hiking.
List of Trails for hiking and trail running:
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Day Hiking
- 41 Trail #145
- 47 Trail #403
- Ashley #147
- Aspen #125
- Atkinson #624
- Atkinson Bench #623
- Bad Land #635
- Basin #603
- Bear Pen Gulch #124
- Bear Pen Spur 1B #124.1B
- Beaver Dam #627
- Ben Lowe #109
- Big Creek #656
- Big Creek Cutoff #637
- Big Creek Scout #638
- Big Johnson #622
- Bittle Loop #669
- Black Point #613
- Blue Creek #620
- Bret Point #649
- Buck #149
- Buck Connector #149.1A
- Bucktail Creek #659
- Bucktail Creek Spur #659.1A
- Bunch Ground #634
- Cabin #606
- Cabin Bench Area #104
- Carson Hole #610
- Clear Creek #516
- Coal Bank #112
- Coal Creek #605
- Corral Fork #652
- Corral Gulch #658
- Cottonwood #103
- Cow Creek #611
- Dave Wood Interpretive Hike #115.1A
- Dented Door #248
- Divide Forks Cutoff #639
- Dominguez Cutoff #629
- Dry Creek #114
- Dry Creek Spur #114.1A
- East Basin #106
- East Bull Spur #155.1A
- East Bull #155
- East Fork Dry Creek #114.1B
- East McKee Divide #597
- East Unaweep #612
- Forest Fence #128
- Forty Seven #100
- Franks Bench #632
- Gill ATV #666
- Gill Creek #602
- Gray’s Creek #157
- Hornet #131
- Hornet Spur #131.1A
- Horsefly #121
- Horseshoe Basin #107
- Hungry Gulch #665
- Indian #500
- Kelso Mesa #614
- La Fair #668
- Leonards Ridge #643
- Little Bear Lake #660
- Little Creek #655
- Little Johnson #617
- Long Canyon #621
- Long Point #628
- Love Mesa Bench #101
- Lower Bench #650
- Lower Spring Creek #116.1C
- Mailbox #619
- Mailbox Cutoff #630
- Massey Branch #618
- Middle Fork Bear Canyon #654
- Middle Point Escalante #631
- Moore Mesa #146
- Mud Holes #670
- North Bench #633
- North Fork Bear Canyon #653
- North Kelso #626.1A
- Old Roubideau #105
- Old Transfer #110
- Old Transfer Bike #251
- Paradox #126
- Paradox #502
- Parallel #139
- Payne Mesa #134
- Picket Corral #102
- Picket Corral Spur #102.1A
- Pool Creek #113
- Powerline #541
- Red Canyon #118
- Rim #122
- Roatcap #121
- Rocky Pitch Loop #664
- Roubideau Pack #544
- Roundabout #120
- Short Point #615
- Short Point Bench #651
- Short Point Cutoff #651.1A
- Simms Mesa #115
- Simms Mesa Aspen Grove #115.1B
- Simms Mesa Loop Connector Hike #115.1A1
- Smith Point #636
- Snowshoe #607
- South Bear Pen Gulch #124.1A
- South Bench #626
- Spring Creek #116
- Spring Creek #616
- Spring Creek Spur A #116.1A
- Spring Creek Spur B #116.1B
- Tabeguache (25 Mesa) #544.1A
- Tabeguache (Cushman) #255
- Telephone #657
- Thimble Point #417
- Traver #119
- Traver Mesa #111
- U.C. #642
- Unaweep #601
- Upper Bench #625
- Ute Creek #608
- Ute Creek Cutoff #659
- Wildcat #640
- Winter Camp #645
- ZK Spring #124
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Backpacking
- Franks Bench #632
- Indian #500
- Middle Point Escalante #631
- Thimble Point #417
Facts
- Uncompahgre National Forest is spread across a total area of 955,229 acres (1,492.55 sq mi or 3,865.68 sq km).
- It was established on June 14, 1905.
- Around 2.27 million visitors visited The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest (GMUG) in 2014.
Best Time To Visit
Summer is the best time to visit Uncompahgre National Forest. You can hike and view the most stunning wildflowers in Colorado.
Visiting Hours
Uncompahgre National Forest remains open throughout the year.
Tickets
- Interagency Annual Pass: US$80
- Interagency Senior Lifetime Pass: US$80
- Interagency Annual Senior Pass: US$20
- Interagency Access Pass: Free
- Interagency Annual Military Pass: Free
US National Parks Map