Camp Hale
Camp Hale was established in 1942 in west-central Colorado to provide
winter and mountain warfare training during World War II. The camp was
constructed in Eagle Park because of the natural setting of a large,
flat valley bottom, surrounded by steep hillsides suitable for training
in skiing, rock climbing, and cold weather survival skills. The size of
Camp Hale varied between 5,000 and 247,243 acres during the time that
it was an active military installation.
Military use of Camp Hale included the 10th Mountain Division, the 38th
Regimental Combat Team, 99th Infantry Battalion, and soldiers from Fort
Carson. Throughout this time, the army tested a variety of weapons and
equipment at Camp Hale. In 1965, Camp Hale was deactivated and control
of the lands returned to the Forest Service in 1966.
The following munitions have been confirmed to have been used in the
valley: anti-tank rockets, recoilless rifles, rifle grenades, hand
grenades, high explosive and illumination mortars, artillery, practice
anti-tank land mines, and small arms. The Camp Hale cantonment area,
where the troops lived and worked, and portions of East Fork Valley of
the Eagle River, collectively known as Eagle Park, are listed on the
National Register of Historic Places and are now managed with an
emphasis on protecting and interpreting the history of the area.
41F