If you have never made the trip to Pagosa Springs and Southern Colorado, you don’t know what you are missing. Majestic mountains surround beautiful river valleys – and all of it is showcased by stunning in-your-face views in every direction. Nestled in the midst of this corner of the world at the base of the Continental Divide, Pagosa Springs is home to the world-famous Pagosa Hot Springs and is a 30-minute drive to Wolf Creek Ski Area, known for the most snow in Colorado. This charming mountain town comprises much of Archuleta County, which is surrounded by millions of acres of National Forest and Wilderness Land.
Here are some of our favorite things about living in Pagosa Springs…
Because of its mild climate (over 300+ days of sun per year) and its access to public land and waters, Archuleta County offers year-round recreation opportunities and stunning vistas, as well as cultural and entertainment activities.
The Pagosa Hot Springs
Pagosa Springs offers several opportunities to enjoy its world famous therapeutic Hot Springs. The Springs Resort & Spa offers a resort experience with a wide variety of temperature controlled pools nestled along the San Juan River, standard and luxury accommodations, and a spa. The Overlook offers rooftop scenic tubs and indoor tubs, while the Healing Waters Resort offers a low-key option for staying and soaking.
Wolf Creek Ski Area
You may already know that Wolf Creek Ski Area is known for the most snow in Colorado, averaging over 400 inches per year. But did you know the lift lines are refreshingly short? And the lift tickets are surprisingly affordable compared to it’s Colorado counterparts? This beautiful Ski Area is a short 30 minute drive from Pagosa Springs, Wolf Creek ski area offers great skiing and snowboarding for all levels. And for the kiddos? Be sure to check out the Wolf Pups program! And if you prefer Cross Country Skiing – the opportunities are endless around Pagosa Springs and Wolf Creek Pass.
Hiking & Mountain Biking
With millions of acres of public land to explore, the Pagosa Springs area offers so many opportunities for Hiking and Mountain Biking in the San Juan National Forest. We are proud supporters of Dust2 which promotes an active biking community through trail development and maintenance and youth cycling.
Fishing
Fishing opportunities abound in and around Pagosa Springs. The area offers world-class fishing access to the San Juan River, the Piedra River, the Navajo River, many area lakes, and even nearby Navajo Lake, which offers boating and camping opportunities. Discover some of our favorite fishing spots!
Hunting
The San Juan National Forest and Weminuche Wildnerness offer world-class hunting opportunities with a healthy wildlife population that draws Hunters from around the world, with easy access and varied terrain. Abundant wildlife includes elk, mule deer, bear, sheep and more. For more information about Hunting near Pagosa Springs, get the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Hunting Guide.
Snowmobiling
Snowmobilers from around the US make the trek to the deep powders offered along Wolf Creek Pass and Archuleta County as a whole. Whether you are interested in hill climbing or riding the many trails and deep powder meadows, snowmobiling in Pagosa Springs offers something for riders of all levels.
Golf
If Golf is your speed, you won’t be disappointed with The Pagosa Springs Golf Club, a 27-hole golf course with beautiful Mountain views. Additional Golf courses are less than an hour away.
The Arts
Pagosa Springs has a rich arts and entertainment scene thanks to the brand new Pagosa Center for the Performing Arts, a variety of art galleries and year-round events. There are also numerous live performances and music festivals including, Pagosa Folk ‘N Bluegrass Festival, Curtains Up Pagosa, and Four Corners Folk Festival.
Chimney Rock National Park
Chimney Rock offers an amazing glimpse into an ancient world. Discover this archaeological site at the southern edge of the San Juan Mountains in Southwest Colorado, and learn about the ruins, artifacts, and ceremonial buildings that were once home to the ancient Puebloans of the Chaco Canyon.