Here is an interesting and somewhat surprising fact: Our country has 50 diverse states and within those states lies only 154 National Forests. These protected areas cover 188,336,179 acres and—lucky for us in Colorado—11 of those designated forests are located right in our own backyard. Go on; get out and get lost in these 11 breathtaking National Forests in Colorado:
1. Pike National Forest
Spanning a whopping 1,106,604 acres is that of Pike National Forest; a heavily wooded Front Range area that houses none other than the majestic Pikes Peak.
2. Arapaho National Forest
Established in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt and named after the Arapaho Indian tribe is this north-central forest, which features the Mount Evans, Byers Peak, and Never Summer Wilderness.
3. White River National Forest
All you really need to know about White River is that is houses the stunning Maroon Bells. (Seriously; need we say more?)
4. Gunnison National Forest
Located in Mesa, Gunnison, Hinsdale, and Saguache Counties, this western Colorado forest was created in 1905 and named for American explorer John W. Gunnison.
5. Uncompahgre National Forest
Travelers, beware; this National Forest is home to the beautiful but deadly Million Dollar Highway, which showcases not only jaw-dropping views, but steep and deadly drop offs as well.
6. Routt National Forest
Located in northern Colorado and southeast Wyoming, the Medicine Bow - Routt National Forest covers a combined 2,222,313 acres, with Routt covering 1,125,438 acres (all in Colorado) and Medicine Bow covering 1,096,891 (all in Wyoming).
7. Grand Mesa National Forest
If you think this picture of the largest flat-topped mountain in the world (Grand Mesa) looks incredible, wait until you see it in person...
8. Roosevelt National Forest
Another forest named for President Theodore Roosevelt is this 813,799-acre area, which is contiguous with the previously mentioned Arapaho National Forest.
9. San Juan National Forest
Are you still looking for that perfect place to enjoy the changing fall colors? I give you the Western Colorado gem of San Juan National Forest!
10. Rio Grande National Forest
What's so special about Rio Grande? For starters, it is home to both the world's largest agricultural alpine valley (San Luis), as well as world's largest high deserts located around mountains (Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve).
11. San Isabel National Forest
This last one is for all you thrill seekers out there: San Isabel National Forest boasts not only Mount Elbert, but another 18 (of the state's 53) fourteeners!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.