Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
North Park is a broad and ecologically significant high mountain basin located in Jackson County, Colorado. Situated between the Medicine Bow Mountains and the Rabbit Ears Range, it covers approximately 3,200 square miles and lies at elevations mostly ranging between 8,000 and 9,500 feet. This basin is recognized for its large expanses of wetlands, forested rangelands, and montane meadows, which provide crucial habitat for a diversity of species, including elk, moose, mule deer, and a variety of waterfowl. North Park has a history rooted in Native American use, later becoming a vital area for ranching and fur trading in the 19th century. Today, it is managed primarily for wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation. The area's wetlands, river corridors, and surrounding mountains attract anglers, hunters, bird watchers, and hikers. Angling opportunities abound in the North Platte River system and numerous alpine lakes, while abundant trails offer scenic views of rugged peaks and vistas of the basin. Key landmarks include the rugged Medicine Bow Mountains, the flooded wetlands that transform part of North Park into one of Colorado's premier waterfowl habitats, and the small towns such as Walden, which provide gateway services. Visitors are drawn to the area's solitude, excellent big game populations, and its reputation as a prime destination for trout fishing and elk hunting. Although it is not a designated national park or forest, North Park is critical as a wildlife management and recreation area within Colorado's protected lands network.
