The Rocky
Mountain Region manages 17 national forests and 7 national
grasslands throughout Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, along with most of South Dakota and
Wyoming. The Rocky Mountain Region offers many different recreational opportunities year-round.
Select your activity or topic of interest from the list below to find out more information.
If you recreate frequently on federal lands such as National Forests,
National Parks, Bureau of Land Management, or US Fish and Wildlife
Service lands, look into purchasing an America the Beautiful Interagency
Annual Pass. America the Beautiful Interagency Senior Pass (Persons
62 years of age and older) or America the Beautiful Interagency
Access Pass (Persons with permanent disabilities) are also honored
at these same locations.
The Rocky Mountain Region has over 26 cabins and lookouts available for rent. Nightly fees vary from location and most can be reserved through the National Recreation
Reservation Service.
The Rocky Mountain Region has over 500 campgrounds for you to
enjoy. Search online to find the campground that is right for you.
From the Camping page you can download a .pdf file that has a listing
of the campgrounds located in the Rocky Mountain Region and the
basic services they offer. While many campgrounds are on a first-come
basis, you can use the National Recreation Reservation Service
to make reservations for most campgrounds.
Before you leave for your camping
trip, check to make sure that there are no campfire restrictions
in place.
Have some free time and love the
outdoors? Ever dream of spending the ENTIRE summer in a campground?
Check out what it takes to become a campground host for the season
by following links on the Camping page.
Cutting a Christmas tree in a national forest is a tradition for many residents of the Rocky Mountain Region. In doing so, you take an active part in managing your national forests as you celebrate your own family's tradition. Learn about visiting one of the designated areas on your national
forests in the Rocky Mountain Region to cut your own Christmas tree! When Christmas is over, you can find great information regarding recycling your Christmas tree and lots of other stuff!
During the fall season, our region is vibrant with leaves of red,
orange, yellow, and gold! Read a current
report on the best places to view breathtaking scenery in the
beautiful Rocky Mountain Region; learn about why
leaves change color; and enjoy some photographs from
previous years.
The Colorado Rockies are part of
the North American Cordillera that stretches 3,000 miles from
Alaska through western Canada and the United States into northern
Mexico. The centerpieces of this dramatic uplift are the 54 peaks
over 14,000 feet, or "Fourteeners," as climbers affectionately
refer to them.
The Forest Service seeks to ensure
that evidence of the past is protected and used to further greater
understanding of the human experience. From Native American archaeological
sites dating to the first exploration of North America to World
War II Prisoner of War Camps, the United States Forest Service
is protecting resources of the past to help us prepare for the
future.
Ever wanted to participate in an archaeological dig? Rent a historic
cabin for a night? Visit an important pale ontological site? Click
HERE to learn more!
Click on the tab to view the latest
Heritage Happenings!
Most of the lands in your National
Forests are open to hunting. Information on hunting seasons,
licenses, and restrictions is available from each state's Department
of Wildlife.
Forest Visitor Maps provide information on attractions, facilities,
services, forest boundaries and recreation opportunities. Our brochures
provide local recreation, wildlife, fire safety, and other information.
The Forest Service announced a new regulation on November 2, 2005,
governing off-highway vehicles and other motor vehicle use on national
forests and grasslands. The new rule requires each national forest
or ranger district to designate those roads, trails, and areas
open to motor vehicle use. more »
General
rulesfor national forests and grasslands include details
about camping, pets, and other topics. Etiquette expected of
visitors visiting the backcountry is outlined in the Leave
No Trace program.
Weed-Free Forage: Visitors bringing food supplies
for saddle and pack stock onto National Forests must comply
with Weed-Free
Forage requirements.
Most national forests and grasslands are open, free of charge,
for your use and enjoyment. Fees may be charged and permits required
for some activities and locations.
We have over 5,000 different trails in the Rocky Mountain Region.
Some are designed for hiking and non-motorized activities. Others
are used for off- highway vehicles.
There are a few national scenic trails in the region as well -
the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and the Colorado Trail.
In 1964, Congress took a far-sighted action by passing the Wilderness
Act, legally designating certain federal lands as Wilderness. Wilderness
has many values. Recognizing these diverse and unique values opens
a world of understanding about the natural environment. Check out
this page for wilderness workshops, links to informative wilderness
Web sites and a photo gallery of various wilderness areas.