| Wide Open Spaces |
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How’s this for some impressive numbers? The U.S. Bureau of Land Management manages over 8.4 million acres of public lands in Colorado. The White River National Forest makes up 2.3 million acres across the state.
More than 850,000 acres of this open space are found in Eagle County. From the top of Vail Pass, to the wide valleys in the Holy Cross Wilderness Area, to crystal-clear streams, emerald lakes and hundreds of miles of hiking trails that wind above timber line and through aspen groves, Eagle County offers an amazing array of backcountry spots to fuel outdoor passions.
Whether you like to snowmobile, snowshoe or even fly fish in the winter, prefer the adrenaline rush of riding an ATV or rafting whitewater in the summer, or like to take quiet hikes to admire wildlife in its natural habitat, there are some wonderfully maintained public spots for you somewhere in the county.
One way to explore these expansive open spaces is with an experienced outfitter. Nova Guides has operated with special permits from the White River National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management for more than two decades.
“We’ve been sharing our corner of the world with visitors for so long, our experienced guides know the dirt trails, backcountry roads and river rapids like the backs of their hands,” says Jolene Sandoval, Nova Guides’ Director of Sales and Marketing.
Two of Nova Guides’ favorite recreation areas are the Eagle River and Historic Camp Hale.
If it’s early season whitewater rafting you’re craving, consider a May or June whitewater trip on the Eagle River, minutes from the resort areas of Vail and Beaver Creek. Exciting locals’ favorite Dowd Chute gives rafters a white-knuckle ride through Class V rapids. In fact, all along the Upper Eagle River it’s non-stop action for anyone 14 or older, with Class III and IV rapids. The entire family, including children as young as 4 (or who weigh at least 50 lbs) can shoot through more moderate rapids on the Lower Eagle River through July.
During World War II, brave soldiers from the 10th Mountain Hut Division trained to ski and fight at high-alpine Camp Hale, 15 miles south of I-70 along Highway 24 above Minturn. Today it’s a National Historic Site, open to the public. It’s also home base for many of Nova Guides’ outdoor activities in both the warm-weather and snowy months.
From Camp Hale, guided jeep and hummer tours along dirt roads reaching elevations of 12,500 feet provide adrenaline-charged excitement. Drive your own four-wheeled all-terrain vehicle through wide-open meadows and up steep mountain passes for stellar views of 14,000-foot peaks. Winter brings snowmobile, dogsled and even heated “snowcoach” tours through the pristine, white wilderness. |
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