Unaweep/Tabegauche Scenic and Historic Byway Overview

Skirting the edge of the Umcompahgre Plateau, the Unaweep/Tabegauche Scenic Byway takes you past old Native American buildings, petroglyphs, geological formations and waterfalls. A wooden water flume clinging to stone cliffs, and century-old coke ovens, left over from mining operations, can be seen from the road.

Its great scenic beauty is not the only reason people have been drawn to this area. As you travel through the canyons, take time to explore and learn about what they had to offer to those who came before us, and what they still offer to visitors today.

In addition to the sightseeing opportunities available along the Byway, the outdoor enthusiast can choose from a broad variety of activities along the entire corridor. Highway 141 offers boaters access to the Gunnison River at Whitewater and to the Dolores River at Gateway. The Byway offers hikers, mountain bikers and road cyclists access to a vast array of backroads and trails on BLM land and the Uncompahgre National Forest via Divide Road. And with all that wide open land, expect to see wildlife.

The Unaweep/Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway is made up of Highways 141 and 145 and is located near the Colorado/Utah border. The northern end of the Byway is about 15 miles south of Grand Junction off of Hwy. 50. The southern end of the Byway joins the San Juan Skyway at Placerville off Hwy. 62. Byway intersections and routes are marked with the distinctive Colorado Columbine sign.

Endless miles of BLM and Forest Service jeep trails cross the Uncompahgre Plateau. Since January 1987 the Palisade area north of Gateway has been designated by the BLM as an Outstanding Natural Area to be enjoyed for its primitive natural beauty. Cactus Park is a BLM recreation area for group and individual use and provides access to the BLM's Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Study Area. Camping is allowed here and on other BLM managed lands. Camping is also permitted in designated areas throughout the Uncompahgre National Forest.