National Conservation Areas (NCA) are designated by Congress to conserve, protect, enhance, and manage public lands for the enjoyment of present and future generations. NCAs offer visitors landscapes with exceptional natural, recreational, cultural, wildlife, aquatic, archaeological, paleontological, historical, educational or scientific resources. There are three NCAs in Colorado:

DOMINGUEZ-ESCALANTE NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA is home to cascading waterfalls, rugged sandstone canyons and the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness. The area has long been known for amazing scenery in the remarkable canyon country of the Uncompahgre Plateau. Red-rock canyons and bluffs hold geological and paleontological resources spanning 600 million years, as well as many cultural and historic sites from the past 10,000 years. The Escalante, Cottonwood, and Little and Big Dominguez Creeks tumble through canyons that empty the eastern Uncompahgre Plateau to the Gunnison River, which flows nearly 30 miles through this beautiful desert landscape. Along with impressive scenery, the area is home to a variety of wildlife, including desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, golden eagle, turkey, elk, mountain lion, black bear and the collared lizard.
                                                                 Dominguez-Escalante NCA Video

GUNNISON GORGE NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA is set against a backdrop of landscapes ranging from adobe badlands and rugged pinyon-juniper-covered slopes, to the breathtaking river canyon of the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness. Visitors enjoy numerous activities, such as kayaking and rafting, flat-water boating, big-game hunting for mule deer and elk, off-highway vehicle riding, mountain biking, sightseeing, photography, hiking and backpacking. Many native plant and animal species call this area home, including clay-loving buckwheat, Colorado Hookless Cactus and Gunnison sage-grouse. The Gunnison Gorge boasts a world-class, gold medal trout fishery, and some of the best whitewater boating opportunities in Colorado.
Gunnison Gorge NCA Video






©Rich Durnan 

MCINNIS CANYONS NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA encompasses a diverse landscape of salt brush desert and the dramatic red-rock canyons of the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness. The National Conservation Area is located on the flank of the Uncompahgre Plateau, which rises like a giant rolling wave over the Grand Valley in western Colorado. Rugged canyons descend to the Colorado River and contain some of the most spectacular landforms found anywhere in the country. Rattlesnake Canyon, Dinosaur Hill, Devils Canyon and Mee Canyon are just a few of the areas that contribute to the mystery, splendor and diversity of this landscape. You will not find paved roads, visitor centers, or manicured trail heads, but you may discover a sense of wonder, exploration and adventure in a landscape of humbling beauty.
McInnis Canyons NCA Video

©Jerry Sintz