CO · Mountain West
8 forest guides within driving distance
San Juan National Forest in southwestern Colorado covers 1.8 million acres of high-alpine terrain, ancient cliff dwellings, and the iconic Weminuche Wilderness, the largest wilderness area in Colorado.
8 min read
Uncompahgre National Forest in southwest Colorado's San Juan Mountains offers two wilderness areas, the 14,309-foot Uncompahgre Peak, and the scenic terrain above Ouray and Montrose.
5 min read
Rio Grande National Forest covers 1.85 million acres of the San Luis Valley's mountain rim in southern Colorado, encompassing the headwaters of the Rio Grande River, the South San Juan Wilderness, and the otherworldly Wheeler Geologic Area.
6 min read
Gunnison National Forest surrounds Crested Butte and Gunnison in Colorado's Elk Mountains, protecting the West Elk Wilderness, Fossil Ridge, and some of the state's finest wildflower country.
5 min read
The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests form a 3.1-million-acre complex in western Colorado, encompassing the world's largest flat-top mountain, the rugged Uncompahgre Plateau, and the high peaks of the West Elk Wilderness.
6 min read
Santa Fe National Forest surrounds New Mexico's state capital with 1.6 million acres of high-desert mountains, Pueblo sacred lands, and subalpine wilderness reaching nearly 13,000 feet in the Sangre de Cristo Range.
7 min read
Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico encompasses the Taos Mountains, New Mexico's highest peak, and vast wilderness areas in the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez ranges, offering everything from short alpine day hikes to remote multi-day wilderness routes.
7 min read
San Isabel National Forest spans Colorado's Sangre de Cristo Range and Arkansas Valley, containing more fourteeners than any other national forest and access to Great Sand Dunes National Park.
5 min read
The Animas River Trail follows the scenic Animas River north of Durango through riparian forest and meadows, offering an easy 5-mile walk with mountain views and access to the river, one of the most approachable routes in San Juan National Forest.
4 min read
Vallecito Creek Trail follows a pristine mountain stream through old-growth forest into the Weminuche Wilderness, offering a moderate 10-mile out-and-back route with excellent fishing and wildlife viewing in San Juan National Forest.
4 min read
The Pine River Trail enters Colorado's largest wilderness from the south, climbing through old-growth forest into high-alpine terrain on a 12-mile out-and-back route in San Juan National Forest.
4 min read
The Chicago Basin trail reaches one of Colorado's most dramatic high-alpine basins via the historic Durango & Silverton railroad, providing access to three 14,000-foot peaks in San Juan National Forest.
6 min read
The Molas Lake Loop is a short, accessible hike near Silverton with panoramic views of the Needle Mountains, Grenadier Range, and Animas River valley, one of the best easy alpine walks in San Juan National Forest.
4 min read
Ice Lake Basin trail climbs to one of the most visually striking alpine cirques in Colorado, featuring five high-altitude lakes surrounded by colorful volcanic rock and wildflower meadows in San Juan National Forest.
5 min read
The Lizard Head trail passes through the Lizard Head Wilderness with views of the iconic volcanic spire and the Wilson Massif's three 14,000-foot peaks in San Juan National Forest.
5 min read
Electric Pass Trail climbs to one of the highest maintained trail passes in Colorado at 13,500 feet, offering sweeping views of the San Juan Mountains from a demanding 6.5-mile out-and-back route near Silverton.
4 min read
The Mount Sneffels trail climbs through the spectacular Blue Lakes basin to one of Colorado's most photographed 14ers, covering 8.5 miles and 3,100 feet of elevation gain in the Uncompahgre section of the GMUG National Forest.
4 min read
Guide to the American Flats Trail in Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado. A 6.8-mile out-and-back across one of Colorado's highest and most expansive alpine tundra plateaus.
3 min read
Guide to the Wetterhorn Peak Trail in Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado. A 9.0-mile out-and-back to a 14,015-foot summit in the San Juan Mountains.
3 min read
Guide to the Matterhorn Peak Trail in Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado. A 10.2-mile out-and-back to a 14,156-foot summit via the standard north ridge route.
3 min read
Guide to the Big Blue Wilderness Loop in Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado. A 14.2-mile loop through the remote Big Blue Wilderness with alpine lakes and 13,000-foot ridges.
3 min read
Guide to the Baldy Cinco Trail in Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado. A 7.4-mile out-and-back to a remote 13,370-foot summit above the Cimarron Valley.
3 min read
Guide to the Cimarron Ridge Trail in Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado. A 11.4-mile out-and-back along a high alpine ridge with views of the Silver Jack Reservoir and San Juan peaks.
3 min read
Uncompahgre Peak at 14,309 feet is the highest summit in the San Juan Mountains and the sixth-highest in Colorado, reached via a 7.5-mile out-and-back route from the Nellie Creek Trailhead in the GMUG National Forest.
4 min read
Hike the Spring Creek Pass Trail in Gunnison National Forest, Colorado. This strenuous 9.0-mile out-and-back follows the Continental Divide Trail with summit views and wildflowers.
3 min read
Guide to the Owl Creek Trail in Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado. A 12.0-mile out-and-back through the Cimarron Range to a high alpine pass with views of the Sneffels Range.
3 min read
Waterfall Canyon Trail climbs through a narrow forested canyon to a series of cascades in Rio Grande National Forest, covering 4 miles with 800 feet of gain, a moderate and accessible option in the South Fork area.
3 min read
The Creede Canyon Trail explores the dramatic Rio Grande Gorge downstream from Creede through a narrow volcanic canyon, covering 4 miles with 800 feet of gain and offering a close look at the canyon's geology and river corridor.
3 min read
The Cimarron Ridge Trail traverses a high volcanic ridge above the Cimarron Valley in the Uncompahgre section of GMUG National Forest, covering 8 miles with 1,800 feet of gain and excellent views of the San Juan Mountains.
3 min read
This section of the Continental Divide Trail crosses the remote South San Juan Wilderness on a 10-mile out-and-back route through high-alpine terrain, offering exceptional views and deep backcountry solitude in Rio Grande National Forest.
4 min read
Guide to the Pine Creek Trail in Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado. A 8.6-mile out-and-back through a scenic canyon to an alpine basin beneath the San Juan peaks.
3 min read
Wason Park Trail is a short, easy hike to a high-altitude meadow park above the Creede area, covering 3 miles with 400 feet of gain and offering views of the Rio Grande headwaters country in Rio Grande National Forest.
3 min read