Naturita - A Vacation Destination to Trails and Adventure

970-865-2286

Naturita Means "Little Nature" But There is Nothing "Little" About It -- Buckeye Reservoir -- San Miguel River -- Hike, Bike, Jeep, ATV -- Wildlife and Bird Watching

Visit our Website www.nucla-naturita.com

Big Things Happening In "Little Nature" -- NATURITA IS THE ATTRACTION

Welcome to Naturita, a small town that sits nestled between some of the largest recreation areas in Southwest Colorado. Naturita is the best choice whether you're looking to hunt, fish, ATV, mountain bike, or hike in the heart of Colorado.

RIMROCKER TRAIL: The Rimrocker Trail provides 4WD, OHV and mountain bike access through stunning scenery from Montrose, Colorado to Moab, Utah. Naturita is the halfway point making it the perfect destination to explore the 160 mile route heading east or west. The Trail is well marked with varied terrain and the views of Paradox Valley are amazing. HIGHLIGHTS: Tabeguache Creek, San Miguel River Valley, Rock Raven Uranium Mine, Wright Mine, Big Dick Mine, Club Sandwich Mine, and the Hanging Flume above the San Miguel River.

MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS: You could vacation here a week, mountain biking everyday and still need to plan a week for next year! Pick your trail -- Tabeguache Trail to Pinto Mesa, Pinto Mesa to Tabeguache Creek via Nucla, Buckeye Reservoir to Kokopelli Trail, Bull Canyon-Dolores Overlook Trail, Red Canyon Loop Trail, Nucla Airport Mesa Trail, Nyswonger Mesa Trail. The RED CANYON LOOP TRAIL takes between 4-5 hours to complete with the trailhead off Highway 141. Cross into Utah on the BUCKEYE RESERVOIR TO KOKOPELLI TRAIL finishing in Moab; this is a 30 mile ride one way. The NYSWONGER MESA TRAIL suggested drop off point is at the trailhead along Highway 90 as it leaves the Paradox Valley and finishes about 8.5 miles later in Bedrock; enjoy riding the rim of the mesa.

Rimrocker Trail -- Experience Desert Vistas and Alpine Forests -- Mountain Bike -- Off-Roading

Immerse Yourself in the Natural Beauty of the Uncompahgre Plateau's Redrock Canyons

UNAWEEP-TABEGUACHE SCENIC and HISTORIC BYWAY ATTRACTION: The drive is 133 miles and will take 2 hours 47 minutes without stopping -- take your time! CAMERAS and SMART-PHONES are needed! This is a fabulous journey through history, geology, culture and nature. It extends from Whitewater to Placerville, Colorado, passing through the communities of Gateway, Naturita, Nucla, Redvale and Norwood. Twisted monoliths and ancient lands bear dinosaur bones and mineral treasures, while the HANGING FLUME and the DRIGGS MANSION tell of human endeavors in a challenging landscape.

BUCKEYE RECREATION AREA and RESERVOIR ATTRACTION: The Buckeye Recreation Area is adjacent to Buckeye Reservoir. The area is popular for picnicking, camping, fishing, hiking, and boating. Forest roads in the area provide for off-highway vehicle touring and the nearby state lands provide motorized trails for ATVs and motorcycles. There is a boat ramp for small fishing boats (wakeless speed).

SAN MIGUEL RIVER -- BLM: The San Miguel River begins in the San Juan Mountains above Telluride, Colorado and ends at the confluence with the Dolores River 72 miles downstream. The San Miguel drops over 7,000 feet through a boulder-strewn course offering whitewater boaters a variety of runs, all within the class II+ to III range. The River features diverse ecosystems of rare riparian plant communities. Brown and rainbow trout thrive here, and a number of access points along the river provide excellent fishing opportunities.

WILDLIFE and BIRD WATCHING ATTRACTION: Our remote valley has excellent scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities. The floor of the valley is filled with sagebrush, where it is easy to find Sage Thrasher, Sage Sparrow, jackrabbits, and Mule Deer. A couple of small farm ponds on the western end of the valley are good for watching ducks and shorebirds, with Sandhill Cranes nesting in the area. THIS IS THE BEST PLACE IN COLORADO TO SEE RING-NECKED PHEASANT. The pinyon-juniper hillsides should be checked for Gray Vireo, Black-throated Sparrow, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Gray Flycatcher, and Pinyon Jay. Where the highway crosses the river, keep an eye out for Black Phoebe.

UNCOMPAHGRE FOREST ATTRACTION: This vast outdoor recreation area gives you room to breathe. The Uncompahgre National Forest lies in the heart of American alpine country. It's a land of 14,000-foot peaks, fast-flowing creeks, alpine lakes, deep spruce forests, red rock gorges. Black bears call this forest home. It's also a land of gold, abandoned mine shafts and ghost towns dot the landscape, emblems of the Uncompaghre's Gold Rush past. Prospectors staked their claims in the 1800s. There are plenty of hiking, biking, climbing, and OHVs trails.

ANCIENT PETROGLYPHS ATTRACTION: West of Naturita in the Paradox Valley are several sites where you can find petroglyphs and experience why visitors say "The earth there is sacred ground." Leave the highway far behind, and follow off-road trails retracing the footsteps of the Anasazi "Ancient Ones," people who left images of their lives on stone. These Petroglyphs are made by creating small holes with a sharp tool and striking it with a mallet stone. Petroglyphs are not pictographs which are drawn or painted on a rock. In Paradox Valley the Petroglyphs are of human figures, geometric and abstract lines, various animals, butterflies, insects, lizards and animal tracks.

HUNTING: Units are 61, 62, 63, 64, 70. Hunts for Trophy Deer, Bull and Cow Elk, Bear and Cougar in Units 61 and 70. Miramonte Reservoir (Dan Noble State Wildlife Area) offers excellent waterfowl hunting. Dry Creek Basin provides deer, elk, rabbit, dove, mountain lion, and bobcat hunting.

PHONE: 970-865-2286 THE TOWN OF NATURITA For Current Event Dates; For a Visitors Guide -- mention the Colorado Vacation Directory.

STOP AT UNAWEEP/TABEGUACHE INTERPRETIVE VISITOR CENTER: For free information, friendly faces and clean restrooms at: 230 West Main Street Naturita, CO 81422. PHONE: 970-865-2350 -- For Current Event Dates; For a Visitors Guide: mention the Colorado Vacation Directory.

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