Routt National Forest
Established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1905 as the Park Range Forest Reserve, the Routt National Forest includes 1,126,346 acres of Federal lands within its boundaries. The Forest is named in memory of Col. John N. Routt, the last territorial and first state Governor of Colorado. more info
The Continental Divide and spectacular peaks of the 139,818 acre Mt. Zirkel Wilderness split the major watersheds of the National Forest. On the East, the North Park region is drained by the North Platte River, a tributary of the Missouri and Mississippi; and on the west, the Yampa River flows to the Green and Colorado. Elevations are high, ranging from 7,000 feet in the irrigated valleys to 13,000 feet along the Divide. Heavy snows are common, and frost may occur anytime during the summer season.
Perhaps the most spectacular vista within the Routt National Forest is of the Flat Tops Wilderness. Formed by volcanic activity and uplift, than carved by glaciers, the black volcanic wall that identifies the eastern boundary of the Flat Tops Wilderness appears to raise straight up on three sides of Bear Lake campground. A dense and healthy population of Engelmann spruce and sub-alpine fir, provide privacy between sites but also obscures some of the awesome vistas. While hikers may find Bear Lake campground not the best place for a base camp to explore the Flat Tops Wilderness, young anglers will find the campground's lake very much to their liking. The trout in Bear Lake seem to have a definite preference for the younger anglers.
With hundreds of miles of trails for all modes of travel, robust wildlife populations, spacious campgrounds with lots of elbow space, a variety of fishing opportunities, and three wildernesses to explore, the Routt National Forest is one of the best kept secrets in Colorado. Visit and see for yourself.
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