San Juan National Forest

Use the park page to learn about local hiking, nature, trailheads, trail and route maps, and groups that meet here. If you know something about this area. Please feel welcome to write about it here.

General Information

The San Juan forest in Colorado is known for its varied nature and wildlife. The variation is a result of a number of mountains and low-lying lands that create very different habitats where various animals, insects, plants, and birds find it natural to thrive.

Trailheads

We currently do not have any record of trailheads in this park.

Routes and Trails You Can Travel

We currently do not have any record of good routes in this park.

Hiking

Trails

A popular and very long trail is the Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway which is 65-miles long. The trail winds through San Juan Mountains and a few local towns, making it perfect for multi-day hikes where you can pick up more supplies in the nearby towns you pass.

Climate and Weather

Caught exception: String could not be parsed as XML

History

A popular historic site at the forest is the Chimney Rock. The historic marker is a relic left from the native people of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe who once inhabited the land. It was excavated in the early 1920's and designated an Archaeological Area and National Historical Site much later, in 1970.

Wildlife

The wildlife at the forest is very interesting and diverse due to the large variation in elevation which provides a number of different habitats.

Birds

Trees

Flowers

Other Plants

Camping Possibilities

There are plenty of camping opportunities at the forest, both in pure camping form, and in hikes along trails that span tens of miles and go on for multiple days.

Other Information

Parking

Parking is available at various trailheads and parking lots at the forest. The forest is so large that it is difficult to list all the parking lot locations. One thing to note is that the wilderness areas do not allow motorized vehicles of any kind. Other than in the wilderness areas, the forest is reasonably friendly and welcoming to cars so there is enough parking for everyone just about all of the time.

Driving Directions

Highway 550 bisects the forest from the north to the south, making many sites and trailheads accessible from that stretch of road.

Park Map