Nearest city Durango, CO Area 7,603 km² Established June 3, 1905 | Governing body U.S. Forest Service Phone +1 970-884-2512 | |
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Management United States Forest Service Similar San Juan Mountains, Durango and Silverton, Purgatory Resort, Animas River, Chimney Rock National | ||
rv life travel free camping san juan national forest near durango colorado
The San Juan National Forest is a U.S. National Forest covering over 1,878,846 acres (2,935.7 sq mi, or 7,603.42 km²) in western Colorado. The forest occupies land in Archuleta, Conejos, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Mineral, Montezuma, Rio Grande, San Miguel and San Juan Counties. It borders the Uncompahgre National Forest to the north and the Rio Grande National Forest to the east. The forest covers most of the southern portion of the San Juan Mountains west of the Continental Divide. The forest contains two alpine wilderness areas; the Weminuche and South San Juan, as well as the Piedra Area.
Contents
- rv life travel free camping san juan national forest near durango colorado
- San juan national forest colorado
- Wilderness areas
- References
The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad passes through the National Forest.
Theodore Roosevelt created the forest by proclamation on June 3, 1905. Forest headquarters are located in Durango, Colorado. There are local ranger district offices in Bayfield, Dolores, and Pagosa Springs. President Barack Obama designated part of the forest as Chimney Rock National Monument by proclamation on September 21, 2012.
San juan national forest colorado
Wilderness areas
There are three officially designated wilderness areas lying within San Juan National Forest that are part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. All of them extend partially into neighboring National Forests (as indicated).
Hermosa Wilderness (all on San Juan National Forest)