Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Situated within the Roosevelt National Forest in North-Central Colorado, the Cache La Poudre Wilderness covers approximately 9,637 acres of mountainous terrain. It was designated as a wilderness area in 1980 to preserve its pristine environmental conditions. The area is characterized by steep, rocky ridges, lush forests of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir, and alpine meadows. It provides a habitat for a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, mountain lions, and black bears. The terrain offers numerous hiking and horseback trails that traverse through the heart of the wilderness, providing challenging routes with stunning vistas. One of the most notable waterways in the area is the Cache La Poudre River, Colorado’s first and only designated National Wild and Scenic River, which attracts anglers and paddlers for its clean, fast-moving waters and exceptional trout fishing. Visitors are drawn to the wilderness for solitude and the chance to experience unspoiled nature firsthand.
