4 minute read
Spring . Summer . Fall
Activities
Pagosa Springs, surrounded by over 2.5 million acres of wilderness and national forest areas, has an abundance of outdoor activities, scenery, and wildlife. Treasure Falls, one of several waterfalls in the area, is a must see and can be viewed from Hwy 160. You will love the short hike to Misty Deck; feel the spray from
HIKING & BACKPACKING
Pagosa Springs has over 650 miles of hiking trails, for all abilities, with scenery that never disappoints. Several scenic and historic hikes can be found right in Downtown Pagosa Springs as well.
If you head north on Piedra Rd (County Rd 600), you will find several hikes - hike the Piedra River Trail through box canyons or take a short 1/2 mile hike that ends at the thundering Piedra Falls. Also north of town on Fourmile Road, is a 3-4 mile oneway hike that will take you to Falls Creek Falls and Fourmile Falls.
The trails south of town include Opal Lake, a 1½ mile, one-way hike, with some steep portions leading to a milky white lake. Trails east of downtown include parts of the Continental Divide Trail. Stop by the visitor center and pick up a FREE Hiking Trail and Scenic Drive brochure for more trail suggestions.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
There are multiple trail systems in the area to keep mountain bikers entertained. Located in the heart of downtown, Reservoir Hill and the Dakota Springs trails offer quick rides and spectacular views. A few miles north, off of Piedra Road, is the Turkey Springs area with more than 30 miles of singletrack providing several options for beginner to advanced riders.
HORSEBACK RIDING
Bringing your horse for a trail ride? Several campgrounds in the area offer horse boarding. Need a horse and a guided trail ride? Pagosa Springs is home to several outfitters. They offer trail rides ranging from 1 hour to all-day rides. Overnight pack trips are great for the more adventurous. They take hunters and explorers deep into the Wilderness areas.
HUNTING
With more wildlife than people, the chances of spotting elk or deer are pretty good. The public lands and forests surrounding Pagosa Springs and vicinity afford excellent big-game habitat where licensed hunters enjoy some of the finest hunting in North America. Hunters can find black bears, cougars, bighorn sheep, and considerable herds of mule deer and elk that seasonally migrate between winter and summer ranges.
ATVS & 4X4S
The Pagosa area has many miles of off-road trails. A favorite all-day trail is East Fork Road which takes adventurers past Silver Falls, climbs Elwood Pass to the top of the Continental Divide and into Summitville.
RAFTING & KAYAKING
May through June is the prime season for whitewater rafting and kayaking. Spring snow-melt swells the San Juan and Piedra Rivers, and whitewater adventures await! Whitewater Rafting enthusiasts have multiple outfitters and rivers to choose from for ½ day to full day trips.
FLOATING & TUBING
Pagosa Springs is fortunate to have the San Juan River running through the heart of downtown. The Town has added whitewater features on a 2-mile stretch of the river through downtown, making for unique areas to play throughout the summer. Tubing has become a favorite pastime of many, with tube rentals and shuttles available in town.
STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING
For a quiet afternoon, enjoy our warm summer days and fantastic mountain views around Williams Creek Reservoir while on a stand-up paddle board. For a quick outing, try Echo Lake State Wildlife Area south of town. Multiple shops rent SUPs with lessons available.
BOATING
Explore our pristine mountain lakes by kayak or canoe. Drink in the scenic beauty of the surrounding San Juan Mountains. Several lakes in the area allow non-motorized boats or electric trolling motors. For those that prefer full-sized, motorized boating, Navajo Lake is less than an hour from town.
FISHING
Dreaming of catching a trout? Fly fish the San Juan River near Town Park or head deeper into the woods and try your luck on one of several area rivers and streams. Guided fishing trips are available from local outfitters who will take you to their favorite spots. Short on time? Echo Lake State Wildlife Area is just 5 minutes south of town on Hwy 84 and is a great place to drop a line in the summer and ice fish in the winter. For the full mountain experience, Williams Reservoir is second to none.
GOLF & DISC GOLF
Pagosa Springs Golf Club is a well-maintained, 27 hole public course featuring a magnificent mountain backdrop. Pagosa Springs is also home to two 18-basket disc golf courses, one on Reservoir Hill and another in Cloman Park.
HOT AIR BALLOON
Capture aerial views of the San Juan Mountains and the area’s gorgeous canyons and valleys on a hot-air balloon ride. During excursions, riders participate in the set-up and inflation of the balloon, learn the history of ballooning and end the trip with a champagne celebration. To see dozens of colorful balloons float above the area, check out the annual ColorFest Weekend in September.
