Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing

Many of the hiking, biking, and off-road trails around Montrose become excellent venues for snowshoeing and cross country skiing in winter. Snowshoes and/or cross-country skis can be rented from various retailers in Montrose like Sports Rewind and The Great Outdoors Company.
 

Black Canyon National Park

During the winter, Black Canyon National Park is incredibly quiet, serene, and beautiful - providing a perfect atmosphere for the soft crunch of snowshoes or the light swoosh of cross-country skis to cut out a steady rhythm. 

South Rim Drive remains closed to traffic and unplowed during winter and instead becomes a 6-mile stretch of silent beauty, perfect for cross-country skiing. The journey along the drive and back to the South Rim Visitor Center provides unmatched overlooks into the canyon, with views of some of the most rugged landscapes in the country.

If a slower pace is more your style, snowshoeing around the canyon is also a possibility. Rim Rock Trail is a highly recommended route that provides plenty of nature to contemplate, while the snow and the landscape provide the perfect backdrop. Please be courteous and avoid established tracks on South Rim Drive when journeying on these trails, and, for the sake of local wildlife, please leave dogs at home.

For a guided tour, from mid-January to mid-March the Park Rangers may offer a ranger-guided adventure on weekends, dependent on snow, safety, and staffing. No special skills are required, and snowshoes - even kids’ sizes - are available to borrow at the visitor center. 

Dave Wood Winter Recreation Area

The Dave Wood Winter Recreation Area provides snowshoeing and cross-country skiing treks, just 15 miles from town.
 

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests

A seemingly endless variety of terrain and scenery can be enjoyed in the National Forest lands surrounding Montrose.
 

Spotlight on Montrose