Browns Canyon
National Monument

Learn About the Monument

Browns Canyon of the Arkansas River is the central feature in a unique ecosystem that provides outstanding fish and wildlife habitat, stunning mountain views and four-season recreation opportunities. On Feb. 19, 2015, President Obama used the Antiquities Act to designate 21,586 acres as Browns Canyon National Monument – 11,836 acres of the San Isabel National Forest and 9,750 acres of Bureau of Land Management land.

Located between the communities of Buena Vista and Salida, Browns Canyon National Monument ranges in elevation from 7,300 to 10,000 feet above sea level, offering incredible views of the Sawatch Range, which forms 100 miles of the Continental Divide and is home to some of the highest peaks in the lower 48 states. The protected land provides clean water for the Arkansas River’s Gold Medal trout fishery, important wildlife habitat, biological diversity, outdoor recreation opportunities, scenic beauty, cattle grazing and other uses.

The presence of humans on these lands dates to at least 13,000 years ago. Archaeological sites with stone artifacts are attributed to the Paleo-Indian and early Archaic periods. The general area is traditionally significant to the Ute people as well as the Jicarilla Apache.

Well before the national monument designation, Browns Canyon had become the most popular stretch of whitewater in the U.S. This section of the Arkansas River is also part of the longest section of Gold Medal river in Colorado. In addition to unmatched whitewater boating and angling opportunities, the monument offers backcountry solitude, horseback riding, hiking, camping, nature watching, photography and stargazing.

The BLM portion of Browns Canyon National Monument includes the Browns Canyon Wilderness Study Area, officially recognized in 1993. The Forest Service land within the monument includes the Aspen Ridge Roadless Area – remote and primitive with rugged terrain, no developed campsites and dispersed camping opportunities accessible only by hiking and horseback riding. The roadless area also includes one non-motorized trail where mountain biking is allowed.

History and Culture

Nature

Recreation

Timeline

Photo Gallery

Management

Presidential Proclamation