The Uncompahgre National Forest lies in western and southwest Colorado, near the towns of Montrose, Ouray, Telluride and Norwood. The Forest includes much of the Uncompahgre Plateau and the San Juan Mountains.
The Uncompahgre Plateau rises to 10,000 feet and water draining from the top has cut gorges and canyons along the sides of the plateau. The Unaweep/Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway follows the Dolores River Canyon on the west side of the Uncompahgre Plateau. The San Juan Mountain Range has four peaks over 14,000 feet and another 100 peaks over 13,000 feet in elevation. It includes the Uncompahgre, Mount Sneffels and Lizard Head Wilderness Areas.