Nature & Science

The San Juan National Forest abounds with natural treasures with five distinct life zones ranging from elevations near 5,000 feet to above 14,000 feet. Find out more about the physical, biological and ecological aspects of the San Juan National Forest that make this area unique.

  • Get to Know Your Water

    Animas River

    The Forest Service manages the largest single source of water in the United States! Located along the continental divide, the San Juans are the source of important rivers for people. Rivers carry water and nutrients to multiple areas all around the bioregion & play a critical role in the water cycle.

  • Forest Geology

    A placeholder image

    Did you know that the La Garita Caldera eruption created the San Juan Mountains we know today by utterly destroying the volcanoes that stood here before?

  • Fall Colors Report

    Missionary Ridge in Autumn

    Peak foliage dates are generally pretty consistent, rarely wobbling by more than a few days. Over the past several years, the colors in the San Juan Mountains tend to start mid-September near Silverton and finish up early to mid-October around Pagosa Springs, Purgatory and Dolores.