Wonders Out West

Norwood is a hidden haven for outdoor enthusiasts

BY ALLISON BILLS

You may never have visited Norwood, Telluride’s high-desert neighbor to the west.

If not, now’s the time.

“Norwood is surrounded by the massive Uncompahgre Plateau, the magnificent San Juans and the La Sals, all underneath one of the nation’s largest Dark Sky regions, and people barely know it’s here,” says John Metzger of the Norwood Chamber of Commerce.

At 7,011 feet in elevation, Norwood is a ranching community with a milder climate than Telluride, a hidden haven that offers vast opportunities for biking, hiking, stargazing, fishing, paddleboarding, off-roading, hunting, horseback riding and climbing, all amidst wide-open spaces redolent of the American West.

And, yet, says Norwood chamber member Nola Svoboda, “Even on weekends and busy holidays, nothing ever feels too busy, the trailheads and parking areas are never full. There is always somewhere to camp and there is always space for everyone.”

Drive to Norwood, a scenic 50 minutes from Telluride, and you’ll notice the International Dark Sky Community signs at the entrance to town. It’s a rare achievement — fewer than 40 communities in the world have that accolade.

“It means that no matter how much Norwood grows, maintaining its dark skies and ability to step outside and view the stars will always remain a top priority,” Svoboda says. Unsurprisingly, she adds,

the real way to experience Norwood and its vast night skies is camping.

“Whether it’s one of the designated camping areas or dispersed camping on BLM and national forest land, campsites are very spread out,” Svoboda says. Miramonte Reservoir, Busted Arm Draw, Thunder Trails (within the first trail loop) and along the San Miguel River at Caddis Flats and the Lower Beaver campgrounds, all have designated spots with fire rings.

While the stars are a highlight in Norwood, there’s plenty to do during daylight hours, too. Svoboda, a photographer and outdoor enthusiast, starts with Miramonte Reservoir at the base of Lone Cone Peak, which has two boat ramps and offers boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and plenty of sunshine. “It’s definitely the local favorite and Norwood’s not-so-little secret,” she says.

For land-lubbers, there are two main trails systems: Thunder Trails and Burn Canyon Trails. Says Svoboda, “Both are relatively flat, offering more of a mellow high-desert riding experience with short as well as gradual climbs, and short as well as long gradual descents, very different from

riding in the mountains of Telluride.”

The Thunder Trails were created by a local dirt bike group and have 19 miles of singletrack riding split between four loops. Since they are open to both motorized, including e-bikes, and non-motorized use, there are a variety of technical riding levels from beginner to advanced. The Burn Canyon Trails are only open for non-motorized use and contain 8.6 miles of singletrack riding across four different loops, geared more for beginner to intermediate riders. “What makes Norwood’s bike trails great [is] the lack of people on the trail,” Svoboda says. “You will rarely run into anyone else.”

One place you will run into people is the annual San Miguel Basin Rodeo, a cherished community celebration that honors Norwood’s rich ranching history. Now in its 118th year, the event features professional and junior rodeos and a fair.

Don’t ig-Norwood — its vibrant recreation scene, dark skies designation and wide-open spaces make it a must-stop spot while in the area.