There are naturally occurring mineral hot springs located in Colorado. Pagosa Springs is a primary location. The springs are diverted into different pools and temperatures controlled by adding cold water. The starting temperature of the water is 145°F and is cooled down to between 98°F…Read More

There are naturally occurring mineral hot springs located in Colorado. Pagosa Springs is a primary location. The springs are diverted into different pools and temperatures controlled by adding cold water. The starting temperature of the water is 145°F and is cooled down to between 98°F and 110°F. You can then choose in which temperature you would like to enjoy and relax.

The drawback to the springs is the strong smell of sulfur. If you can ignore the smell then the springs are quite refreshing and soothing to a tired aching body. Through the years these springs have been considered a medical healing treatment for the body.

After your visit, it is essential to shower with soap in the available areas to remove not necessarily the minerals but the smell of the sulfur. If not, it will stay with you till you do.

After the walking tours I took, it worked wonders in relieving the muscle aches and pains in my body. With a discount ticket I obtained for $13 for a day pass, I was able to stay as long as I wanted. At the spa, they offer towel rentals and locker rentals if you need them. You can bring in food and drink in unbreakable containers.

The was our second trip to Pagosa Springs, CO. The first was a family Christmas trip. This trip was for Mom and Dad to relax. And we had a wonderfully relaxing time. The first two days, we relaxed and did nothing.…Read More

The was our second trip to Pagosa Springs, CO. The first was a family Christmas trip. This trip was for Mom and Dad to relax. And we had a wonderfully relaxing time. The first two days, we relaxed and did nothing. The third day, we drove above Pagosa Springs on "Four Mile Road", which is actually about a thirty-mile trip through the mountains. (The real estate office next to Ramon's Mexican Restuarant was very helpful in assisting us with this trip - thanks, folks). We saw the mountains splashed with the golden color of Aspen trees (see pics). It was well worth the trip, but be sure to find a restroom before you leave, and bring water.

The next day, we made a day trip to Silverton, driving through Durango and over the pass. Again, the scenery was beautiful. We stopped at every outlook to gaze at the golden leaves fluttering in the wind. The outlook at the peak is worth the stop. The visit to Silverton at the end of the season reaped many discounted items that made their way under our Christmas tree as gifts, some as much as 75% off.

Another day trip took us over Wolf Creek Pass in the snow. The plows were working, and we had no problems driving the road. The colorful foliage shrouded in clouds was an experience. On the return drive, we stopped at Treasure Falls and made the hike up. Although the altitude made for some exhausting hiking, the trail was not difficult, and the "Treasure" at the other end was breathtaking (see pics).

On our final day, we drove into New Mexico, only about 40 miles, and rode the steam engine-driven train at Chama. This was a trip to remember. It snowed in the upper elevations and again the Aspen trees could not have been more colorful. In fact, there was more color here than elsewhere. The mid-point meal included in the ticket price was very good, but not gourmet by any means. At Antonio we were met by buses the carried us back through the valley on a return trip to Chama. I thought that was probably better than a train ride back through an area we had just viewed but made me want to return for an extended stay in that valley.

As you can see, we did not stay around the resort much. But when we were there, it was a relaxing place, and the staff were very friendly. Three hundred twenty-six pictures later, we had to return to Texas. But we returned with the memory of "Gold in the Mountains of Colorado"!

The lake is located 23 miles north of Pagosa Springs on Piedra Road. This all-weather road winds through first residential areas then private ranches before crossing the Piedra River and reaching the 343 acre reservoir. We were told at our resort that 3…Read More

The lake is located 23 miles north of Pagosa Springs on Piedra Road. This all-weather road winds through first residential areas then private ranches before crossing the Piedra River and reaching the 343 acre reservoir. We were told at our resort that 3 pairs of golden eagles fish the lake in early morning and late afternoon. We did not see the eagles, only an angry hawk scolded us from above. The trip was not wasted. The view of this pristine blue lake set against the backdrop of the snow-capped mountains was well worth the trip. Our picnic meal tasted like gourmet fair in the still mountain coolness. We were sorry to see the sun go down and the view no longer visible. The return trip took longer as the mule deer and elk were moving and we sometimes had to share the road with them. Close

U.S. 160 north of Pagosa Springs offers spectacular mountain scenery. The elevation climbs 900 feet as you ride from ponderosa pine through open grassy meadows along the San Juan River to aspen and then spruce-fir stands. The aspen were golden yellow and the…Read More

U.S. 160 north of Pagosa Springs offers spectacular mountain scenery. The elevation climbs 900 feet as you ride from ponderosa pine through open grassy meadows along the San Juan River to aspen and then spruce-fir stands. The aspen were golden yellow and the higher elevations were blanketed in 14 inches of snow when we visited in October.
At mile marker 15, pull over and take the trail to Treasure Falls, rushing hundreds of feet toward you. Though the days temperature was in the low 60s, the falls were rimmed with ice and snow.
The San Juan overlook is located 2 miles further north. The overlook offers a breathtaking view of the San Juan River Valley. The many stands of Aspen reflected the sunlight in hues of gold. Here we saw herds of deer feeding on grass.
Continue north to Wolf Creek Pass. This pass opened in 1916. The pass receives the most snow (600 feet per year) of any place in Colorado. The air is thin and amazingly still. The cold is noticable only after romping through the snow for a bit. The powdery dry snow, we were told is highly prized by skiers. The ski school and slopes were of course closed in October. We do not ski but may consider trying on promised return trips to this wonderland.Close

About an hour from Pagosa Springs (for visitors to Wolf Creek) and in the heart of downtown Durango (for Purgatory visitors), visitors can climb aboard a historic railroad that goes deep into the scenic territory of southwest Colorado. When we visited in January, the observation cars…Read More

About an hour from Pagosa Springs (for visitors to Wolf Creek) and in the heart of downtown Durango (for Purgatory visitors), visitors can climb aboard a historic railroad that goes deep into the scenic territory of southwest Colorado.

When we visited in January, the observation cars that were open on both sides were still full, packed with people who found the scenery and air inspiring and the gondola coached overheated. The presence of a dining car with unlimited refills of hot chocolate (and the unheralded hot apple cider) was a favorite, and the polish sausage sandwiches were tasty treats along the way.

At the halfway point of the trip, the train pulls into a rest area where passengers can explore and enjoy a roaring fire accompanied by more hot chocolate.

In our case, though, the engine broke down, requiring a second locomotive to be sent up from town and extending our stay quite awhile. The staff was very accommodating, but the added hours took a toll on us, getting us back well after dark.

Still, the experience was more than enjoyable, as we had ample opportunity to spend time with family members on the train with us.

About an hour and a half outside Pagosa Springs, visitors will reach the Mesa Verde National Park, run by the National Park Service. Once past the gate, travellers will be confronted with a twisted, windy road that takes visitors past intentional and unintentional scenic…Read More

About an hour and a half outside Pagosa Springs, visitors will reach the Mesa Verde National Park, run by the National Park Service. Once past the gate, travellers will be confronted with a twisted, windy road that takes visitors past intentional and unintentional scenic overlooks, all the while climbing in altitude.

The visitor center is surprisingly interesting, explaining the culture of the cliff dwellings found within the park. The tour guides are excellent and lead an informative tour at prearranged times. The tour will take you to a dwelling that can be explored to some degree, but most of the others throughout the park take a lot more effort and are supposed to be undisturbed. There is a rim tour that vehicles can take around the park, with plenty of stopping points with informative sign markers along the way.

Don't expect to get to see the most amazing parts up close in winter; snowshoes and cross-country skis are required if you intend to get close to any of the other dwellings other than the one you see on the tour.

The visit itself can take 4 to 5 hours and is best followed by stopping in Durango for a meal at one of the interesting places in town.

When we unpacked our fishing poles, we realized that one of them was missing the handle. We looked in the phone book and located a sporting goods store in town. At the store, the owner found a spare handle and a nut to…Read More

When we unpacked our fishing poles, we realized that one of them was missing the handle. We looked in the phone book and located a sporting goods store in town. At the store, the owner found a spare handle and a nut to attach it. Although we offered, he wouldn't allow us to pay anything for the handle as it was off of a broken reel. However we still needed some sort of washer to give the handle traction. The sporting goods store owner sent us to the ACE Hardware store up the road for the washer. At the hardware store, we decided that we'd better pick up some needle nosed pliers. The gentleman who worked there told us that they only had the expensive ones, but the "Corner Store" up the road, had some for $4.99. He also found the two washers we needed and gave them to us, without charge. Now at this point, I'm feeling like people here in Pagosa Springs are mighty neighborly. We trekked up to the Corner Store, and found the pliers we needed...$4.99...and I also got a small Styrofoam cooler for the worms and drinks and such. As we paid at the counter, one of the clerks asked if we'd just like a little ice instead of an entire bag, since the cooler was so small. She then proceeded to put some the ice from the soft drink machine into our cooler...again...no charge.

This was our introduction to the people of Pagosa Springs and we were impressed. And for the entire week, everyone we interacted with at Pagosa Springs was just as wonderful and friendly.

My family wanted to spend Christmas with snow, being from central Texas and not getting any "White Christmas" times to remember. At Pagosa Springs we enjoyed a wonderful Christmas complete with snow. The accommodations were luxurious. The resort had "hills" located right behind the units…Read More

My family wanted to spend Christmas with snow, being from central Texas and not getting any "White Christmas" times to remember. At Pagosa Springs we enjoyed a wonderful Christmas complete with snow. The accommodations were luxurious. The resort had "hills" located right behind the units (the golf course) that were idea for our young children, ages 4, 5 and 6, to play in the snow. The setting at the base of snow capped Rocky Mountain peaks was picturesque. Side trips to ride the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and to see Wolf Creek Pass were excellent. The town was friendly and laid back. A very relaxing and enjoyable Christmas that will go into the scrap books to be remembered for a lifetime.Close

If you visit Pagosa in the summer find out from your hotel how to hire a horse. Take a day trip into the beautiful mountain and see what the splendor of the Rocky Mountains means. Most of the horses are well trained and the guides…Read More

If you visit Pagosa in the summer find out from your hotel how to hire a horse. Take a day trip into the beautiful mountain and see what the splendor of the Rocky Mountains means.

Most of the horses are well trained and the guides know the mountains and stories attached to them. Bring a picnic and have lunch in a high mountain meadow where you can see deer, elk, bear and if you are lucky one of the growing herd of moose that where transplanted in the state.

Bring your camera so you can remember the view from the treeline, capture the beauty of cold mountain lakes and streams, and take a picture of yourself to prove to friends you were on a horse in Colorado at 14 thousand feet!

The gorgeous mountain scenery and deep, rugged Animas Canyon will astound you as the train makes its climb to Silverton (elev. 9300 ft.) The 45 mile trip takes 3.5 hrs. From the very beginning in the 1880's the line was promoted as a scenic route…Read More

The gorgeous mountain scenery and deep, rugged Animas Canyon will astound you as the train makes its climb to Silverton (elev. 9300 ft.) The 45 mile trip takes 3.5 hrs.

From the very beginning in the 1880's the line was promoted as a scenic route for passenger service, although the line was constructed primarily to haul mine ore both gold and silver from the San Juan Mountains.

The locomotives are vintage 1923-25 and maintained in mint condition.
Each train car has bathrooms.
Concessions are available.
Movie buffs will appreciate the long list of movies in which the train has appeared.Close