Routt National Forest

Routt National Forest spans over 500,000 acres across northwestern Colorado, offering diverse recreation opportunities from high alpine terrain to scenic river valleys. The forest encompasses the iconic Steamboat Ski Area and provides exceptional access to the Elk River watershed, Medicine Bow Mountains, and the North Platte River, making it a premier destination for both summer and winter pursuits. Visitors can enjoy over 500 miles of maintained trails ranging from gentle riverside walks to challenging alpine backpacking routes, with abundant opportunities for dispersed camping throughout the forest. The landscape transitions from sagebrush foothills to dense lodgepole pine forests and rocky peaks above 12,000 feet, supporting excellent wildlife viewing and photography opportunities year-round.