Town of Nucla - A Vacation Destination to Trails and Adventure

970-864-7351

Vacation Destination -- Trails, Wildlife, Solitude - Your Adventure Hub -- Hike, Mountain Bike, Off Road, Snowmobile, Wildlife Viewing, Hunting, Fishing, Rock Climbing

Visit our Website townofnucla.colorado.gov

NUCLA -- Where the Road is Sometimes Blocked by
Cattle and Cowboys

The San Miguel River -- Stand-Up Paddle Board, Fish, Canoe

NUCLA, Colorado was designated an International Dark Sky Community in 2021! Southwest Colorado is blessed with wide open spaces where the stars shine brightest at night. Nucla is committed to keeping the lights off so the nightly stargazing is always at its best.

Our secluded little town on the North side of the San Miguel River and nestled in the mountains of Colorado. Explore the San Juan mountain range to the southeast, the La Sal mountain range to the west and the Uncompahgre Plateau to the north. We are an old west frontier where you can ride your horse or your tractor to town and to church and no one blinks an eye.

TRAILS FOR MOTORIZED AND NON-MOTORIZED USERS: The West End boasts hundreds of miles of old and often rough two track trails in a wilderness setting with few restrictions. Motorcycles, E-Bikes, UTVs, ATVs and most off road vehicles will enjoy exploring the rugged West End. Nucla serves as the hub for traveler on the spectacular 160 mile RIMROCKER TRAIL from Montrose to Moab. Miles of single track trails are available for hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers offering a unique and quiet backcountry experience. The West End is waiting for you to discover its hidden places rich in challenging terrain, stunning vistas and a chance to experience the quiet awe of a Colorado few have seen.

HIKING: We are surrounded by mountains, deserts and public land, so the hiking is amazing! Here are two trails that offer hikers a taste of the area. The Indian Trail (Forest Trail #500) is a primitive trail that travels through the Tabeguache Area. A 9.6 mile trail offers spectacular views of red rock cliffs in the Tabeguache Creek drainage as it descends 800 feet from Pinto Mesa to the creek bottom. The Tabeguache Area Trails is a 7-mile trail system near Nucla and rated moderate. Tabeguache Creek begins on the Uncompahgre Plateau. The trail's main fork slopes down quickly into a steep-walled canyon of red Wingate Sandstone, while the North Fork takes a more leisurely route, winding 5 miles through vibrant aspen forests before it dips into a red sandstone cliff canyon.

SNOWMOBILING: 97 mile of groomed snowmobile trails in UNCOMPAHGRE NATIONAL FOREST with easy access to a large parking lot for trailers. Located on 25 Mesa Road, just outside of Nucla; parking depends on snow levels; West End Sledders, Colorado Snowmobile Association, gives snow conditions.

HORSE BACK RIDING: Easy access to equestrian trails, plenty of parking for trailers or just ride from Town. The newly built, town owned, Nucla Rodeo Arena is complete and ready for open riding and events. There also pens with water and trailer parking on site. Call Town Hall: 970-864-7351 Spring/Summer Events: Nucla Round Up & Tabeguache Trail Riders Gymkhana Series.

Rimrocker Trail -- 160 Miles of Dirt -- the West's Most Stunning Scenery -- Redrock Canyons, Winding Rivers, Desert And Forests

Trails and Adventure -- Mountain Bike Shamrock Trail to See the Hanging Flume -- Singletrack Intermediate to Expert -- 9 Mile Loop

FISHING: Anglers preferring to fly-fish cast your line in Naturita Creek, San Miguel River, Hamilton Creek, Dry Creek, Big Bucktail Creek, Little Bucktail Creek, Forty-seven Creek, Shavano Creek, Cottonwood Creek, Campbell Creek and North Fork Tabeguache Creek.

HUNTING: Colorado Hunting units 61 and 62 are known for their trophy Elk. So whether you're hunting Elk, Mule Deer, Black Bear or Mountain Lion, plan for an action packed hunt in this remarkable Colorado landscape. Local guides are plentiful and ready to make your hunt a once in a lifetime experience.

BIRD WATCHING: The Uncompahgre Plateau has some of the best ponderosa pine forest in the state; the Plateau also features aspen woodlands, shrub lands, mountain meadows and coniferous forest. We suggest a drive on Divide Road off of Hwy 141 . . . In pinyon-juniper woodland you will find Juniper Titmouse, Virginia's and Black-Throated Gray Warblers, and Pinyon Jay. As you rise in elevation you will encounter ponderosa woodland featuring Williamson's Sapsucker, Grace's Warbler, Green-Tailed Towhee, and Pygmy Nuthatch. Our aspen forests are next with Purple Martin, Red-Naped Sapsucker, and Flammulated Owl. The Plateau meadows attract Mountain Bluebird, Vesper Sparrow, and Ruby-Crowned Kinglet.

COTTONWOOD & TABEGUACHE CAVES: Tabeguache Cave best known for the archaeological work of Clarence Thomas Hurst in the 1940s. The cave was a rock shelter for the Tabeguache Puebloans long before Europeans settled the area. Cottonwood Cave was occupied as early as 270 BC, this large rock shelter is the site of the earliest dated corn found in Colorado. This cave is about 10 miles northwest of Nucla.

LOCATION: Along the Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic Byway, Highway 141 & Hwy 97, West End Colorado.

ADDRESS: 320 Main Street, Nucla CO 81424

PHONE: 970-864-7351 -- For Current Event Dates; and a Visitors Guide: mention the Colorado Vacation Directory.

Find local Maps & Fun Things To Do for your Colorado Vacation