Home

Welcome to the Rio Grande National Forest

Explore the headwaters of the Rio Grande and enjoy amazing landscapes with endless recreational opportunities.

Recreation Opportunities

The Rio Grande National Forest spans over 1.8 million acres in a forested ring around the San Luis Valley in south-central Colorado. From the high peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Range to rugged canyons and ancient calderas, the forest offers year-round opportunities for sightseeing and abundant recreational activities. Read more about the forest.

  • Forest Specialist Series

    Forest Specialist Series Graphic

    In our monthly online Forest Specialist Series, guest speakers from the Forest Service and other experts discuss interesting topics about their work. Topics range from lynx reintroduction efforts to archaeological features, to the best places to recreate in our Forest.

    Read More

Features

The Bighorn/Stateline Prescribed Fire – A Cross-region Success Story

Light grey smoke comes from a low intensity surface fire burning slash and litter next to the base o

The Bighorn/Stateline prescribed fire is a joint project between the Rio Grande NF in Colorado and the Carson National Forest in New Mexico. Large treatments across jurisdictional boundaries are becoming more common as the USFS and partners work to manage resources at a landscape level.

View Feature

View All Features