Named after its sulphurous hot springs, Pagosa Springs is the most populous town in Colorado’s Archuleta County. It’s framed by the San Juan Mountains and on the doorstep of Chimney Rock National Monument, which encompasses the remains of several Ancestral Puebloan dwellings.
Things to do in Pagosa Springs
Delve into the regional history at the Pagosa Springs History Museum, which is housed within a historic waterworks building. Its exhibits include old photographs, agricultural tools and homewares, as well as locally made quilts and metal art. A highlight of the collection is a chair that was used by the theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer during his time at Los Alamos Laboratory.
Want to stretch your legs? Follow the San Juan River Walk, a paved trail that offers views of the hot springs and accesses the geothermal greenhouses and community gardens of Centennial Park. There are several places along the trail where you can stop to swim or fish for trout, as well as a children’s playground. In the Riverwalk Wetlands, you’ll find interpretive signs detailing the local ecology and birdlife.
Pagosa Springs boasts the world’s deepest geothermal hot spring, which feeds several soaking pools on the banks of the San Juan River. You can indulge in the private pools of the Bath House or opt for the Hippie Dip Hot Spring where the water flows into the river at around 62 °C. In the winter months, be sure to hit the downhill runs and cross-country trails of the Wolf Creek Ski Area.
Getting around Pagosa Springs
Durango-La Plata County Airport is just over an hour’s drive from Pagosa Springs and has flights to destinations across the United States. Long-distance buses connect to Pagosa Springs and local services travel throughout the town. The centre of Pagosa Springs is compact enough to explore on foot.