To understand the history of the Unaweep Canyon we must first start with its earliest known inhabitants. The"Unaweep Tribe" isn't a distinct tribe, but rather refers to the Ute people who historically occupied the area around Unaweep Canyon in Colorado; the name "Unaweep" itself comes from the Ute language and is believed to mean "big hole" or "canyon with a big mouth," referring to the canyon's unique geological formation; due to the Ute Treaty of 1880, the Ute people were removed from the area, leading to settlement by ranchers and homesteaders who now primarily inhabit the region around Unaweep Canyon. Gone but not forgotten, petroglyphs still mark there presence, the canyons provided shelter, food and water. Their nomadic lifestyle took them throughout the mountainous regions of Colorado, utilizing the land for hunting and gathering.

Today, the Unaweep area is primarily known for its scenic landscape, including the Unaweep Canyon, and is part of the Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway, which highlights the region's natural beauty and historical significance.