Nestled between Telluride and Moab in an area known as the West End located in southwest Colorado, the towns of Nucla, Naturita, Bedrock, Paradox and Redvale boast some of best year-round outdoor activities you can find! Whether you’re looking to camp, hunt, fish, 4×4, ATV, dirt bike, hike, raft, kayak or canoe in Colorado’s Western Slope, Nucla-Naturita has it all.
When it comes to natural beauty, Colorado’s West End ranks high among nature lovers alike. Just a short drive from the world-class ski slopes of Telluride, the outdoor adventure destination of Moab, and the majestic red-rock canyons of Gateway, the Nucla-Naturita is the up and coming choice for travelers and adventurer seekers alike.
How To Get Here
The towns of Nucla, Naturita, Bedrock, Paradox and Redvale sit between Utah’s western border and Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, south of Grand Junction and north of Cortez. These five communities are spread across Colorado’s West End along Highway 145 and 141 west of Telluride and south of Gateway, and along Highway 90, east of Moab and the Utah border.
What To Eat
— Grocery & Markets
Whether you’re needing to stock up for the week or just grab a some food and supplies for your next gathering or adventure, our local markets have got you covered!
- Wild Gal's Market
- Redd’s Mercantile
- Family Market
— Grab & Go
Looking for some coffee or quick bite but don’t have time to sit and wait? Our local coffee shops and delis will have you on your way in no time!
What To Do
The area surrounding Nucla, Naturita, Redvale, Bedrock and Paradox is a treasure trove of all types of recreation, offering some of the best hiking, mountain biking, 4×4 and off-roading, rock climbing, horseback riding, hunting, river running, fishing, camping, stargazing, Colorado history and family-friendly activities in southern Colorado.
01.
UNAWEEP-TABEGUACHE SCENIC & HISTORIC BYWAY
The UT Scenic Byway extends from Whitewater to Placerville, Colorado, passing through the communities of Gateway, Naturita, Redvale and Norwood.
Check out the brochure to learn more!
Or visit utbywayco.com
1 of 6DOLORES RIVER CANYON TOUR
These tours will guide you through the scenic and historic Paradox Valley country and the spectacular canyons formed by its waterways.
Check out the brochure to learn more!
2 of 6LONG PARK MINE TOUR
Gold prospectors trickled into the region in the 1860s, igniting a rich mining history. Twenty years later, the raw ore containing Radium, Uranium and Vanadium was discovered, setting a new course for early miners.
This tour will take you back through time to the heart of what was once a bustling mining community and a played a prominent role during World War II.
Check out the brochure to learn more!
3 of 6PETROGLYPH TOUR
Rock etchings may seem primitive and unfamiliar, but they beckon us to search for the common themes that connect all of humanity throughout the ages.
Check out the brochure to learn more!
4 of 6MONOGRAM MESA LOOP & BULL CANYON TOUR
Details coming soon!
Check out the brochure to learn more!
5 of 6THE WILD HORSES OF DISAPPOINTMENT VALLEY
“Wild free-roaming horses and burros are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West; that they contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people…”
Check out the brochure to learn more!
6 of 6— Self Guided Tours
Immerse yourself in the landscape, the culture & history or just the solitude! Get your next self-guided adventure started, here are a few ideas…
02.
— Explore Our Trails!
Colorado’s West End provides ample options for hiking, trail running, mountain biking, horseback riding and rock climbing. From mellow hikes and technical climbs to hunting for petroglyphs and arches, the West End has it all!
03.
— Venture Off-Road!
The vast expanse of Colorado’s West End serves up hundreds of miles of unmatched trails and roads dedicated for 4×4, off-roading, dirt biking, ATV and OHV, and jeeping. Be sure to check out the epic Paradox and Rimrocker Trails!
04.
— Go Camping!
There are numerous options for dispersed camping around the West End, the majority of which are free and primitive. Enjoy camping beneath the stars high up on a cliff’s edge, in the forest under the aspen and pine, or deep down in a desert river canyon.
05.
— Hunting & Fishing!
The West End offers thousands of acres of public and private land available for hunting both big and small game, including turkey and waterfowl. Meanwhile, both the San Miguel River and Buckeye Reservoir provide anglers with plenty of eager trout.
06.
— Get On The Water!
If water recreation is your thing, the West End is a boating mecca, offering a variety of options for floating area lakes as well as the Dolores and San Miguel Rivers including: Rafting, stand up paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking and tubing.
08.
— Gaze At The Stars
In June of 2021, the towns of Nucla and Naturita were officially awarded the designation of International Dark Sky Community with the goal of preserving the West End’s stunning night skies in order to increase interest in dark skies and help promote regional tourism.
09.
— Area History
The West End area is rich in history, dating back to before dinosaurs roamed the Earth. The area has long been home the ancient ancestral Pueblo people, the Tabeguache Ute tribe, numerous outlaws, as well as miners and ranchers alike.
Where To Stay
Local Area Information
— West End Visitor Center
The Visitors Center is located in the Town of Naturita on Hwy 141 and is the primary location for visitors traveling the Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic & Historic Byway. The Visitors Center serves as the main stopping point for regional travel information, historic & cultural information and an array of outdoor recreation inquiries. The Visitors Center directs traveling guests to local businesses in the entire West End region and serves as the hub for local business resources and is the home of the Nucla-Naturita Area Chamber of Commerce (NNACC).
— West End Colorado
The Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway is a hidden gem in Colorado’s State Byway program, having characteristics and resources of regional, state, national and global significance. The Byway exposes travelers to the scenic, natural, geologic, historic and cultural treasures of the Byway corridor.
— Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic & Historic Byway
The West End embodies the diversity of Colorado’s landscape with vast wilderness encompassing dramatic red rock canyons to wide-open pastureland. Top it off with breathtaking views, plus a temperate climate that encourages year-round outdoor activities and you have the ideal playground.
