Find a Forest (NF)
or Grassland (NG)
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests
2250 Highway 50
Delta, CO 81416
(970) 874-6600
Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
(970) 874-6660 |
![United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090115095857im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/gmug/global-websites/images/logos/usda-fs-shield.gif)
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Recreation
Scenic Byways
The Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission has designated
17 of Colorado's most spectacular roadways, considered to have exceptional
scenic, historic, recreational, ecological, and cultural value, as Scenic
and Historic Byways. These roads are marked by distinctive highway signs
featuring a blue columbine. The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National
Forests have six of the 24 byways. They are:
- Alpine Loop Back Country Byway, connecting the towns
of Lake City, Ouray, and Silverton. The 63-mile route winds its way
to an elevation of 12,800 feet, crossing Engineer and Cinnamon Passes
among five of Colorado's spectacular 'fourteeners. PORTIONS OF THIS
ROUTE REQUIRE FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES.
- Grand Mesa Scenic
and Historic Byway, between I-70 and Cedaredge. The spectacular
63-mile route begins in the scenic Plateau River Canyon, then climbs
through forests and meadows full of wildflowers, to offer panoramic
views from the top of Grand Mesa.
- San Juan Skyway, Colorado's first scenic byway
and dubbed the million dollar highway, winds for 236 miles through the
heart of 5 million acres on the San Juan and Uncompahgre National Forests
offering views of spectacular, rugged, and primitive country as well
as cultural and historical sites. The entire loop takes you through
Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Ridgway, Telluride, Ophir, Rico, Dolores,
Cortez and Mancos. An interpretive site and accessible restrooms are
available on Hwy. 145 at the top of Lizard Head Pass. There is plenty
of recreational activities along the way: four-wheel-driving, hiking,
backpacking, bicycling, hunting, photography, fishing, kayaking, rafting,
dirt biking, all-terrain vehicles and motorcycle touring. See waterfalls
in spring, wildflowers in summer, golden aspen in fall or a snowy wonderland
in winter. Enjoy browsing through town shops, soaking in historic hot
springs, staying in a Victorian lodge, or sleeping under the stars in
a Forest campground.
- Silver Thread Byway stretching from South Fork to
Lake City, this 75-mile route provides countless photographic opportunities,
including ghost towns, mountain peaks, and unique and unusual rock formations.
-
Unaweep/Tabeguache Byway, between Whitewater and
Placerville, the 138-mile byway passes through the distinctive Unaweep
Canyon and the high, narrow Dolores River Canyon, opening onto the high
plains of the Colorado Plateau.
- West Elk Loop, between Carbondale, Hotchkiss, Gunnison,
and Crested Butte, this 205-mile route provides spectacular views along
the north rim of the Black Canyon, fields of alpine wildflowers, and
pastoral settings of the Crystal and Gunnison Rivers.
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