Rio Grande ( English Rio Grande National Forest ) - a national forest in southern Colorado , USA . The forest area is 1,849,414 acres (7,484.31 km²). In the west it borders with the San Juan National Forest , in the north - with the Gunnison National Forest , in the east - with the San Isabel National Forest .
| Rio Grande National Forest | |
|---|---|
| English Rio grande national forest | |
| IUCN Category VI (Sustainable Management Area) | |
| basic information | |
| Area | 7,484.31 km² |
| Established | July 1, 1908 |
| Location | |
| A country |
|
| State | Colorado |
| Nearest town | Alamosa |
fs.usda.gov/riogrande | |
The territory of the national forest occupies parts of the districts of Savach , Mineral , Konejos , Rio Grande , Hinsdale , San Juan , Alamos , Archulet and Custer .
Two major highways pass through the national forest - US 285 from north to south and US 160 from east to west.
The national forest was formed on July 1, 1908 by decision of President Theodore Roosevelt .
To the west of the national forest is the American continental divide , after which begins the San Juan National Forest.
The headquarters of the National Forest Administration is located in Monte Vista . Forestry offices are located in the cities of Del Norte , La Jara and Savach .
In the western part of the national forest, in the mountains of San Juan , the Rio Grande River originates - the third longest river in the USA, rich in trout in the area. This is a favorite place for kayakers, the river passes through forests and mountain valleys, after a few kilometers becoming more flat.
One of the most popular tourist destinations is the mining town of Creed , the center of Mineral County. Also in the forest there are several abandoned "ghost towns".
Penitente Canyon, once a Catholic pilgrimage destination located near the town of La Garita, is a world-famous climbing site. Over 400 miles of hiking trails are enclosed in the national forest.
Wildlife Areas
Several parts of the national forest have IUCN Ib status - “Wildlife Territory”. These are the most strictly protected natural areas in the USA, access to them is open only on foot or on horseback.
- La Garita ( La Garita , since 1964, 524.58 km², partly on the territory of the Gunnison National Forest)
- Sangre de Cristo ( Sangre de Cristo , since 1993, 893.56 km², partly in the San Isabel National Forest and Great Sand Dunes National Park )
- Veminuche ( Weminuche , since 1975, 1975.72 km², partly on the territory of the San Juan National Forest)
Notes
Links
- Rio Grande National Forest - Home . USDA Forest Service. Date of treatment July 29, 2014. Archived July 29, 2014.