A fabulous journey through history, geology, culture and nature awaits you on
the Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway (UTB). The UTB is located in
western Colorado, south of the city of Grand Junction. It extends from
Whitewater, CO to Placerville, CO, passing through the communities of Gateway,
Naturita, Nucla, Redvale and Norwood. Twisted monoliths and ancient lands bear
dinosaur bones and mineral treasures, while the Hanging Flume and the Driggs
Mansion tell of human endeavors in a challenging landscape. Driving time is 3
hours. Length is 133 miles. utbyway, utbyway.com, unaweep, tabeguache,
Colorado Scenic Byway, unaweep-tabeguache scenic byway, utby.org "Flume Fever"
reconstructing the Hanging Flume utbyway, utbyway.com, unaweep, tabeguache,
Colorado Scenic Byway, unaweep-tabeguache scenic byway, utby.org "Driggs" a
stabilization project

<p>A fabulous journey through history, geology, culture and nature awaits you on the Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway (UTB). The UTB is located in western Colorado, south of the city of Grand Junction. It extends from Whitewater, CO to Placerville, CO, passing through the communities of Gateway, Naturita, Nucla, Redvale and Norwood. Twisted monoliths and ancient lands bear dinosaur bones and mineral treasures, while the Hanging Flume and the Driggs Mansion tell of human endeavors in a challenging landscape. Driving time is 3 hours. Length is 133 miles. utbyway, utbyway.com, unaweep, tabeguache, Colorado Scenic Byway, unaweep-tabeguache scenic byway, utby.org "Flume Fever" reconstructing the Hanging Flume utbyway, utbyway.com, unaweep, tabeguache, Colorado Scenic Byway, unaweep-tabeguache scenic byway, utby.org "Driggs" a stabilization project</p>

Bird's eye view of the park

Unaweep-Tabeguache

Off the beaten path by a long shot, Colorado's Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic Byway
weaves its way through some of the wildest BLM lands in America. The UTB is
located in western Colorado, south of the city of Grand Junction. It extends
from Whitewater, CO to Placerville, CO, passing through the communities of
Gateway, Naturita, Nucla, Redvale and Norwood. The Dolores River Canyon is an
obvious highlight, with its smooth sandstone walls and roaring river Distance:
133 miles Suggested Time: Allow 3 hours Unaweep Tabeguache cuts through a
canyon for most of the way, and follows the Dolores and San Miguel rivers.
Through the years, these rivers slowly ate away at the soft sandstone creating
the flattop canyon through which bikers ride.The river also shaped industry in
the area. The skeletal remains of Hanging Flume, an aqueduct system completed
in 1891 to carry water for the mining process, can be seen clinging to the
side of a sheer cliff. To view this 19th century ruin, stop at the overlook
just outside Naturita. Historical signage along the byway retells the journey
of Dominguez and Escalante, two Spanish friars who traveled through the region
in search of a passageway from the missions in New Mexico to those in
California.

<p>Off the beaten path by a long shot, Colorado's Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic Byway weaves its way through some of the wildest BLM lands in America. The UTB is located in western Colorado, south of the city of Grand Junction. It extends from Whitewater, CO to Placerville, CO, passing through the communities of Gateway, Naturita, Nucla, Redvale and Norwood. The Dolores River Canyon is an obvious highlight, with its smooth sandstone walls and roaring river Distance: 133 miles Suggested Time: Allow 3 hours Unaweep Tabeguache cuts through a canyon for most of the way, and follows the Dolores and San Miguel rivers. Through the years, these rivers slowly ate away at the soft sandstone creating the flattop canyon through which bikers ride.The river also shaped industry in the area. The skeletal remains of Hanging Flume, an aqueduct system completed in 1891 to carry water for the mining process, can be seen clinging to the side of a sheer cliff. To view this 19th century ruin, stop at the overlook just outside Naturita. Historical signage along the byway retells the journey of Dominguez and Escalante, two Spanish friars who traveled through the region in search of a passageway from the missions in New Mexico to those in California.</p>

The Canyon Trail System is located just a few miles southwest of Norwood,
Colorado. The area offers beautiful views of deep canyons with large
cottonwoods and junipers, as well as mesa tops with panoramic views of Lone
Cone Mountain, the La Sal Mountains of Utah, and the majestic San Juan
Mountains. The upper parking lot provides access to the Burn Canyon MTB trails
and the McKee Draw hiking trails. The first loop from the parking area is
Buttermilk Loop. It is an easy warm-up loop suitable for all ages and
abilities. The larger Pinyon Point Loop is a continuation of Buttermilk Loop
and offer great views of Burn Canyon, Naturita Canyon and the mouth of McKee
Draw. North from Pinyon Point Loop the Old Nelson Cut-off passes along the
edge of Hideout Canyon and connects to the other two loops in this trail
system. Cedar Post Loop is a fun, fast, smooth loop. Hideout Canyon is a
continuation of Cedar Post Loop that is the most challenging loop in this
trail system. It offers good views of Burn Canyon and the La Sal Mountains in
Utah. Posey’s Spur Trail connects back to W35 road for an easy out back to the
parking area.

The Canyon Trail System is located just a few miles southwest of Norwood, Colorado. The area offers beautiful views of deep canyons with large cottonwoods and junipers, as well as mesa tops with panoramic views of Lone Cone Mountain, the La Sal Mountains of Utah, and the majestic San Juan Mountains. The upper parking lot provides access to the Burn Canyon MTB trails and the McKee Draw hiking trails. The first loop from the parking area is Buttermilk Loop. It is an easy warm-up loop suitable for all ages and abilities. The larger Pinyon Point Loop is a continuation of Buttermilk Loop and offer great views of Burn Canyon, Naturita Canyon and the mouth of McKee Draw. North from Pinyon Point Loop the Old Nelson Cut-off passes along the edge of Hideout Canyon and connects to the other two loops in this trail system. Cedar Post Loop is a fun, fast, smooth loop. Hideout Canyon is a continuation of Cedar Post Loop that is the most challenging loop in this trail system. It offers good views of Burn Canyon and the La Sal Mountains in Utah. Posey’s Spur Trail connects back to W35 road for an easy out back to the parking area.

Unaweep-Tabeguache

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Nearby Parks

Unaweep-Tabeguache

Burn Canyon Trail System