Does life have you down and make you wish you could escape to the (literal) middle of nowhere? It sounds like a mere pipe dream, right? Come to find out, it isn’t pure fantasy, as Colorado has its own middle of nowhere that you are going to want to escape to:

Located in the southwest portion of Colorado is the gorgeous San Juan National Forest, which, according to USA Today, houses the state’s literal middle of nowhere.

Wikimedia Commons

As per the national publication’s Looking to get away? Here’s the middle of nowhere in every state (which gaged its results via the amount of time it takes to get to the nearest city), San Juan National Forest’s Willow Creek is Colorado’s middle of nowhere, as it takes just under 10 hours to reach any urban area.

Flickr/Bob Denaro

Situated within the San Juan National Forest’s vast 1,878,846 acres, Willow Creek is not only secluded but historic, as it was first acknowledged in the 17th Century by Spanish explorers who lived at a fort near Crestone Peak.

Flickr/Craig Mirkin

Whether you wish to explore Willow Creek like the Spanish or simply hike the 7-mile trail, it can be found by taking CO 17 south to east Saguache County Road 7, following it past the Crestone post office, and then parking near the trailhead on the left.

Flickr/Bryant Olsen

While you are visiting Colorado’s middle of nowhere, be sure to check out more of the San Juan National Forest, too, which offers tons of stellar camping…

TripAdvisor/TexasFire124

…well-preserved mines…

Flickr/Adam Barhan Pictured is an old lead mine just south of Ouray!

…and charming mountain towns.

Flickr/Paxson Woelber Hey, if you’re visiting the mine near Ouray anyway, why not check out the town?!

It’s all sweet seclusion up here in the San Juan National Forest!

Flickr/Stefan Serena

While you’re visiting Willow Creek and San Juan National Forest, be sure to also check out The Most Beautiful Mountain Range In All Of Colorado.

Wikimedia Commons

Flickr/Bob Denaro

Flickr/Craig Mirkin

Flickr/Bryant Olsen

TripAdvisor/TexasFire124

Flickr/Adam Barhan

Pictured is an old lead mine just south of Ouray!

Flickr/Paxson Woelber

Hey, if you’re visiting the mine near Ouray anyway, why not check out the town?!

Flickr/Stefan Serena

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