Overview
Pagosa Springs is a town of 2,100 people (2019) in Southwestern Colorado along the San Juan River. It is most famous for its natural hot springs. There are also many opportunities for recreational activities nearby, such as the Wolf Creek Ski Area.
4 sights · 2 things to do · 5 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Pagosa Springs
Treasure Falls
A small roadside attraction on the way up Wolf Creek Pass is this scenic waterfall just off the road, visible from the parking lot. A short but fairly steep trail through a pine forest takes hikers from the parking lot t…
Chimney Rock National Monument
An Ancestral Puebloan archaeological site.
Wolf Creek Ski Area
A small, family-run facility, Wolf Creek has the most snow in Colorado at an average of 465 inches annually. Its seven lifts serve many trails, from groomed easy and intermediate trails to difficult runs with lots of tre…
The Springs Resort
Easily the most popular attraction in Pagosa Springs is the natural hot mineral springs, which are widely believed to have therapeutic abilities. This resort offers 18 outdoor mineral pools situated next to the San Juan …
San Juan Historical Museum
Liberty Theater
Established in 1919, the Liberty Theatre is the fourth oldest theater in Colorado and is a historic landmark.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 12°F. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Aug and Oct. (climate data from nearby Durango)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- DRO Durango La Plata County Airport, Durango — 41 mi away. Directions
- ALS San Luis Valley Regional Airport/Bergman Field, Alamosa — 65 mi away. Directions
- ABQ Albuquerque International Sunport, Albuquerque — 156 mi away (major hub). Directions
Pagosa Springs Airport (Stevens Field) is a full service general aviation airport that accommodates charter and private aircraft. For services at Stevens Field contact FBO operator Avjet Corp. at +1 970-731-2127 or StevensFieldAirport
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Springs Resort, Treasure Falls
- Lunch Alley House Grille
- Afternoon Wolf Creek Ski Area, San Juan Historical Museum
- Dinner Boss Hogg's Saloon
- Evening Pagosa Bar
Day 2
- Morning Chimney Rock National Monument
- Lunch Chavolos Taqueria
- Afternoon Liberty Theater
- Dinner The Rose
- Evening Riff Raff Brewery
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Pagosa Springs Airport (Stevens Field) is a full service general aviation airport that accommodates charter and private aircraft. For services at Stevens Field contact FBO operator Avjet Corp. at +1 970-731-2127 or StevensFieldAirport
The nearest commercial airport to Pagosa Springs is the Durango/La Plata County Airport near Durango, which offers commuter air service to the major airports at Dallas Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Salt Lake City.
Durango is about 60 miles west of Pagosa Springs on US Highway 160. From the east, US-160 connects Pagosa Springs to Alamosa via the Wolf Creek Pass. The scenery is spectacular, but take care as the road receives heavy snowfall and is often closed during the winter. To the south, US-84 crosses over the state line to Chama, New Mexico and beyond that Santa Fe.
Get around
The central part of Pagosa Springs, where the hot springs are, is small and easily walkable. However the outer parts of town are growing quickly, especially the western part where there's plenty of new residences and big box stores. For those areas, a car is needed, but locals are friendly to hitchhikers going uptown and downtown. The Mountain Express Bus travels all over town.
See
See The Springs Resort
Easily the most popular attraction in Pagosa Springs is the natural hot mineral springs, which are widely believed to have therapeutic abilities. This resort offers 18 outdoor mineral pools situated next to the San Juan River, plus an outdoor heated non-mineral pool and jacuzzi.
See Treasure Falls
A small roadside attraction on the way up Wolf Creek Pass is this scenic waterfall just off the road, visible from the parking lot. A short but fairly steep trail through a pine forest takes hikers from the parking lot to the base of the falls, close enough to feel the spray from the falls, and makes from a good chance to stretch your legs after a long drive.
Do
Do Wolf Creek Ski Area
A small, family-run facility, Wolf Creek has the most snow in Colorado at an average of 465 inches annually. Its seven lifts serve many trails, from groomed easy and intermediate trails to difficult runs with lots of trees. A ski school, equipment rental shop, gift shop, and food service are on the premises, but there is no lodging available at the ski area. Lift tickets: $76 adult full-day, $60 adult half-day, $46 senior full-day, $39 child full-day, $38 senior half-day, $32 child half-day (3 day passes available, equipment rentals and ski school extra).
- Nordic (cross-country) skiing is also available in many locations around Pagosa Springs, taking advantage of the same profusion of snow that makes Wolf Creek attractive for downhill. The Pagosa Springs Nordic ski club grooms trails in several of these areas and keeps an on-line record of what areas have been groomed recently, along with trail maps, directions, etc. Most, but not all, trails are in locales freely available to the public. Note that many backcountry, off-the-beaten-path Nordic areas involve significant avalanche hazard.
Buy
Eat
Eat Alley House Grille
Fine dining in an historic house near downtown. Reservations recommended (call after 3:30PM) but not required.
Eat Boss Hogg's Saloon
The salad bar and soup are great and are served in a rustic atmosphere.
Eat Chavolos Taqueria
Excellent Mexican food is served in large portions with a good price and great Margaritas.
Eat The Rose
A long-time local favorite for breakfast and lunch.
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Drink
Drink Pagosa Bar
Laid back historic bar.
Drink Riff Raff Brewery
Local brews and bar food.
Sleep
Go next
Highway 160 North to Alamosa, CO and Great Sand Dunes National Park can be treacherous during all seasons as you drive through Wolf Creek Pass. Many people die each year when driving through the steep grades and tight switchbacks. Be especially careful when driving during the winter.
Highway 160 West towards Durango, Silverton, and Mesa Verde National Park is safe, but be extremely wary of wildlife at night and icy roads in winter. There is no cellular service from Aspen Springs to Bayfield (30 mi).
Nearby
Chama
City / town · 14 listings · 35 mi away
Creede
City / town · 9 listings · 41 mi away
Durango
City / town · 38 listings · 47 mi away
Silverton
City / town · 11 listings · 51 mi away
Ouray
City / town · 22 listings · 63 mi away
Telluride
City / town · 17 listings · 63 mi away
Alamosa
City / town · 31 listings · 65 mi away
Mancos
City / town · 70 mi away
My experience
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