History and culture - Mountains
Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument honors the 10th Mountain Division
Camp Hale, just over the divide from Summit County, was the World War II training ground for the Army's mountain troops and is now a national monument managed by the Forest Service.
Published June 10, 2026 - Last verified June 11, 2026
Just west of Summit County, across the Tenmile Range, lies a wide, flat valley with a serious story. During World War II, the Army built Camp Hale here to train the 10th Mountain Division, its mountain infantry, in skiing, climbing, and cold-weather survival at high elevation.
In 2022 the area became Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument. Unlike most monuments, it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service on White River National Forest land, not by the Park Service. You can visit the valley, see interpretive signs, and walk among the remnants of the old camp. Soldiers who trained here later helped start much of the American ski industry, including in this part of Colorado.
Why a newcomer might care: it connects the mountains you can see from Summit County to a real chapter of history, and it is a quiet, meaningful place to visit. Because it is an active monument with ongoing planning, facilities and access can change over time.
To plan a respectful visit, check the White River National Forest pages for Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument.