Montezuma National Forest, Colorado (1939)

Established in 1905 by President Theodore Roosevelt, Montezuma National Forest spans over 830,000 acres of Colorado’s rugged southwest. Its landscape stitches together the soaring San Miguel and La Plata ranges, scattered mesas, and the winding Dolores River, with dramatic landmarks such as Lizard Head Peak and Mount Wilson rising above deep canyons and alpine streams. The forest’s natural features are a blend of soaring heights and secluded valleys that have long drawn explorers, hunters, and nature lovers alike.

The area’s human story began with Spanish traders and missionaries in the 1700s, who christened many of its peaks and passes with familiar names. In the 1800s fur trappers, military expeditions, and prospectors followed, paving the way for ranching, mining, and the towns that now dot the region. Today, a network of highways and the historic Rio Grande Southern Railroad threads through the forest, offering travelers scenic routes from Durango to Mesa Verde and a glimpse into the layered heritage of this high‑country treasure.