Find a Forest (NF)
or Grassland (NG)
USDA Forest Service
Rio Grande National
Forest
1803 W. Highway 160
Monte Vista, CO 81144
719-852-5941
Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
719-852-6271
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![United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114085502im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/riogrande/local-resources/images/usda-fs-shield-brown.gif) |
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About Us
The Rio Grande National Forest (NF) is 1.86 million acres located in southwestern
Colorado and remains one of the true undiscovered jewels of Colorado.
The Continental Divide runs for 236 miles along most of the western border
of the Forest. The Forest presents myriad ecosystems; from 7600-ft alpine
desert to over 14,300-ft in the majestic Sangre de Cristo Wilderness on
the eastern side. The Forest embraces the San Luis Valley, the largest
agricultural alpine valley in the world and includes all or parts of four
Wilderness Areas (South San Juan, Weminuche, La Garita and Sangre de Cristo).
The Forest also is the headwaters of the Rio Grande River and has
the moonscape wonder of the Wheeler Geologic Area, established by Theodore
Roosevelt in 1911. The Anasazi were visitors here and many of their sites
remain.
Denver is 4-hours north and Albuquerque is 4-hours south of us, so when
you get the itch to experience some outdoor recreation opportunities
come and see us.
For the outdoor enthusiast, the Rio Grande NF has recreation and adventure
opportunities for the heartiest of souls, or enjoy the backcountry from
the Cumbres & Toltec Narrow Gauge Railroad which runs from Antonio,
Colorado across the Forest to Chama, New Mexico. Whether walking, driving
or riding, the Rio Grande NF has something for everyone.
Long summer days in the 80's transition through a colorful and crisp
fall to what can be an extreme winter, with temperatures often dipping
well below zero and, in some years, frequent snows.
History of the Rio Grande National Forest
Our forest offers a diversity of outdoor opportunities. These lands
are yours—to visit, care for and, most of all, enjoy.
The Forest Service is all about sustaining resources—land,
water, vegetation, and wildlife.
Heritage resources are important remnants of the past—prehistoric
and historic human culture and ancient animal life.
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New Century of Service
The Forest Service celebrated our
100th birthday in 2005. Find out how we've prepared to provide
another 100 years of service through Rocky Mountain Region's forests
and grasslands.
Forest Supervisor Dan Dallas leads a team consisting of a Deputy
Forest Supervisor, an Associate Center Manager and a number of resource
leads. Locate offices
on the Rio
Grande National Forest, which is part of the Rocky Mountain Region.
The
USDA Forest Service is led by Chief Abigail Kimball. With a
national headquarters in Washington, D.C., the Forest Service operates
through nine regions around the country. The Rocky Mountain Region
is led by Regional Forester Rick Cables.
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Research
The Rocky
Mountain Research Station supports our natural-resource programs
through relevant research and development of state-of-the-art
management tools.
Service First
Service
First is a partnership between the Forest Service and Bureau
of Land Management. This partnership provides one-stop shopping,
just as the trading post did in the frontier days.
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