Uncompahgre National Forest, National forest in western Colorado, United States.
Uncompahgre National Forest is a large woodland area spread across eight counties in western Colorado. It contains high mountains, mountain lakes at high elevation, and thick forests where many animal species live.
This forest was officially established as a national forest in 1905. Over the following decades, neighboring forest areas were merged into its management, expanding the land under its administration.
The name Uncompahgre comes from the Ute language and is commonly rendered as "where the water is orange-red," referring to the mineral-stained streams of the plateau. The forest lies in the traditional territory of the Ute people, and the Uncompahgre Wilderness carries that name. The Ute Indian Museum in Montrose, just outside the forest, interprets this heritage.
Visitor information and permits for activities are available at several locations throughout the forest. It is helpful to contact or visit these offices before heading out to get maps and guidance for your trip.
In 2024 the forest service bought the West Gold Hill Dinosaur Tracksite near Ouray, which holds 134 fossilized sauropod footprints from the Late Jurassic. It is the only known trackway with a 270-degree looped turn and the longest continuous sequence of steps.
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