Routt National Forest

About Routt National Forest

Medicine Bow and Routt National Forests stretch from northern and central Colorado to central Wyoming. The forests include many mountain ranges, including Rocky Mountain National Park, the Continental Divide Range and the Colorado River Valley.

The forests provide year-round recreation for thousands of people, with more than 1,000 miles of hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling trails.

The topography of the forests varies greatly due to the large geographical area with differences in altitude between 5,500 feet and 12,940 feet. It also provides habitat for wildlife, wood feed for livestock and is also home to a variety of bird species, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds of prey.

The climate of the forests ranges from semi-dry at low altitudes to cold and humid in the highlands. Frost can occur at any time, so visitors should be prepared for cold and snowfall as well as high temperatures. Higher visitors should also be prepared for strong winds, heavy rain, snow and cold, as well as high humidity.

Different forests are managed by different districts, and references to each district can be found in the Maps section of this guide.

The Thunder Basin National Grassland is located on the west side of Route 1, just south of the city of Thunder Lake. The grassland ranges from 3600 feet to 5200 feet, and the climate is semi-dry. For more information, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) or the National Park Service.

The grassland offers unique opportunities for recreation, including hiking, sightseeing, hunting and fishing. Camping is allowed, but there are no developed campsites and no camping permits in the Thunder Basin National Grassland.

The grassland is managed by Douglas Ranger District, but the land structure is very complex. The meadows are underlaid with enormous mineral resources, provide fodder for the cattle and are rich in wildlife all year round. Downhill skiing and general winter sports are the most popular activities, followed by mechanized travel, including hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling in the developed areas of the Thunder Basin.