Rio Grande National Forest is a 1.86 million-acre U.S. National Forest located in southwestern Colorado. The forest encompasses the San Luis Valley, which is the world’s largest agriculturalalpine valley, as well as one of the world’s largest high deserts located around mountains. The Rio Grande river rises in the forest, and the Continental Divide runs along most of its western border.

Carson National Forest is a national forest in northern New Mexico, United States. It encompasses 6,070 square kilometers (1.5 million acres) and is administered by the United States Forest Service. The Forest Service’s “mixed-use” policy allows for its use for recreation, grazing, and resource extraction. Big game animals roam this forest. They include mule deer, elk, pronghorn, black bears, coyotes, bobcats, foxes, cougars, and bighorn sheep. There are also many species of smaller mammals and songbirds. Forest personnel work closely with the State Game and Fish Department to provide the best wildlife habitat possible.