Harman Patil (Editor)

San Juan National Forest

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Nearest city
  
Durango, CO

Area
  
7,603 km²

Established
  
June 3, 1905

Governing body
  
U.S. Forest Service

Phone
  
+1 970-884-2512

San Juan National Forest

Location
  
Colorado, United States

Website
  
San Juan National Forest

Address
  
Rio Grande National Forest, Antonito, CO 81120, USA

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

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).

  • Lizard Head Wilderness (partly in Uncompahgre NF)
  • South San Juan Wilderness (mostly in Rio Grande NF)
  • Weminuche Wilderness (partly in Rio Grande NF)
  • Hermosa Wilderness (all on San Juan National Forest)

    References

    San Juan National Forest Wikipedia