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Recreation
Safety Updates & Guidelines:
- Avoid crowding in parking lots, trails, scenic overlooks and other areas.
- Prepare for limited or no services, such as restroom facilities and garbage collection.
- Prepare to pack out trash and human waste.
It’s the Geography – Plateaus to Peaks
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests offer scenery and an abundance of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Over 3,500 miles of trails and routes provide access to areas of rugged beauty and solitude. Many were carved by indigenous peoples, early explorers, and miners, and offer an experience that connects users to the land and to the past. The mountains, plateau, and mesa that make up the forest will always provide a scenic backdrop and thus a component of the quality of life in the area.
We invite you to visit our forest and enjoy the beauty, history and challenges it has to offer. Recreation, motor vehicle and quad maps are available. View a Ranger District location map.
Check current campground status below the map.
Search by activity or area: Use the sidebar menu on the left to search for recreation areas by activity or use the sidebar menu on the right to search by area.
Click here for campground reservations or call 1 (877) 444-6777.
Current Recreation Conditions
Spotlights
Matterhorn Cabin
The Matterhorn Cabin is a great destination for anything from a family reunion to a week-long ski trip. This modern facility offers comfortable accommodations for groups of 12 or more and is available in winter only. Cabin includes 4 single stall showers and potable water. Located just off the highway, it is easily accessible by passenger cars and is only 15 miles from the town of Telluride. Matterhorn Cabin Brochure
Lone Cone Cabin
The Lone Cone Cabin is a great destination for an overnight getaway or a week-long hunting trip. Built in 1936, this rustic cabin is available year round. Located just 24 miles from Norwood, Colorado, the facility can be accessed in the summer and fall by passenger vehicle or 4WD, depending on conditions. Spring and winter access is by snowmobile, skis, or snowshoes along a 12-mile route. Lone Cone Cabin Brochure
Thunder Trail System (#593, #594, #595, #596)
The Thunder Trails System is a combination of four interconnecting trail loops that offer fun and challenge for all. Starting at the Thunder Trailhead (north to south), the loops include: Thunder Loop Trail #596, Portis Loop Trail #595, Naturita Rim Loop Trail #594 and Goshorn Loop Trail #593. Parking is also available at the south end of Thunder Road, FSR 609. The trails west of Thunder Road provide a rockier, more technical riding experience and offer great views of Naturita Canyon. The trails east of Thunder Road travel through the ponderosa pine forest and open meadows, providing a smoother, faster ride.
Trail System Brochure Geo-Ref. Trail Map Geo-Ref. Instructions
Highlights
