Welcome to Pagosa Springs. Refreshingly Authentic
Our small town atmosphere and endless beauty allow you to feel the true meaning of a vacation. Refresh your spirit in a place away from the crowds. Restore your sense of fun while exploring over three million acres of wilderness and national forest. Reconnect with family and friends. Come to Pagosa Springs and enjoy simplicity on a grand scale.
Located within the San Juan National Forest nestled in the heart of the majestic San Juan Mountains, Pagosa Springs offers visitors a rich geological and cultural history to explore. Known for its world-famous hot springs, "Pagosah" is the Southwestern Ute word for "healing waters". The soaring cliffs, rugged peaks, magical alpine pools, undisturbed wilderness, cascading rivers, and soothing hot springs reveal a dramatic history that invites voyagers, young and old, to venture into the backcountry and experience it for themselves.
Pagosa Springs is located in the Colorado Sunbelt, just 35 miles north of the New Mexico border and along the Western slope of the Continental Divide. Pagosa Springs lies in the San Juan River Basin, an area that makes up the eastern portion of the San Juan River Watershed. The San Juan River flows through the middle of downtown Pagosa on its way to eventually joining the Colorado River to the west in Utah.
This combination of a high-desert plateau and the Rocky Mountains to the North and East of town work together to create an unusually mild climate that is begging to be explored year-round.
Lodging
Lodging
Pagosa Springs is full of outdoor adventure, quaint downtown shops, museums, theatre and galleries, and enough hot springs to soak your cares away. To give yourself enough time to experience it all, you’ll need a place to stay - often the most important part of any trip plan. You need basecamp and you are in luck because Pagosa Springs has a variety of lodging options to suit any adventure.
Reasons to Visit
The San Juan River flows right through downtown. It's great for kayaking and rafting in spring, floating and tubing in summer, and fishing year-round (the town has added numerous water features to enhance recreational use).
Whitewater Fun in Pagosa!
For whitewater enthusiasts, the San Juan River provides a variety of activities throughout the summer. During May and June, the river is flowing high with snowmelt, increasing the size of the rapids and the excitement of a trip down-river by raft or kayak. The wave in front of the Visitor Center provides a great "hole" for kayakers to enjoy. As the summer continues, temperatures warm, the water levels taper off and the San Juan River becomes a wonderful place to enjoy a relaxing float trip. Start east of town at the River Center and float to one of many shuttle stations, catch a ride, and do it all over again.
Deepest Hot Springs in the World (Guinness Book of World Records)
Pagosa Springs has 3 distinct hot springs facilities downtown. Each offers a unique experience for any budget. There are also several natural pools right by the river that is open to all, free of charge. After a soak, stroll by the Mother Spring, located near the EcoLux hotel and brush up on your hot springs history. In August of 2011, Guinness World Records was on-hand as a 1002 foot plum line was dropped into the Mother Spring to measure its depth - it never hit the bottom, certifying it as the World’s Deepest Geothermal Hot Spring.
Most snow in Colorado at nearby Wolf Creek Ski Area
Skiing in the Colorado mountains is enjoyed by many, however, being able to ski and snowboard where the most snow falls in the state, far away from crowds and lift lines, is a Colorado experience not to be missed. Pagosa Springs is located 23 miles from Wolf Creek Ski Resort, where over 465 inches of snow falls on average each season. After a long day on the slopes, help your body recover with a dip in one of the many hot springs in downtown Pagosa.
Over 2.5 million acres of surrounding wilderness and natural forest areas
Surrounded by over 3 million acres of national forest and wilderness areas, you’ll find yourself in the center of nature’s playground in Pagosa Springs. With the San Juan Mountains and a variety of outdoor activities at your doorstep, along with hot springs, charming shops, historic sites, and an assortment of artisans, you'll find plenty to do in Pagosa all year long.
Deep area history - Pagosa Historical Museum, Fred Harman Art Museum, and Chimney Rock Archaeological Area
Pagosa Springs may be a small town nestled in the heart of the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado, but it is big on arts and culture. Pagosa Springs is home to a variety of art galleries - from contemporary to modern live theatres and one historic movie theater, museums, and cultural activities for all ages. When visiting Pagosa Springs, you can explore ancient civilizations, retrace the steps of miners and mountain men, learn about the area’s deep Western heritage, or simply stop in and see the works of amazing local artisans throughout the year.
