Home to Outdoor Enthusiasts
Pagosa Springs has the privilege of enjoying four distinct seasons, each one playing host to myriad activities. Participating in outdoor activities is like being a kid in a candy store, with appealing options no matter the season. Groups like the San Juan Outdoor Club and Gray Wolves offer activities all year long in a group setting. Face a challenging hike up Pagosa Peak or head out on a hut-to-hut excursion with like-minded enthusiasts and capitalize on the over 3 million acres of national forest and wilderness areas surrounding Pagosa.
When the days begin to warm up, resident activities exemplify the phrase “spring fever.” Walking around town or taking a quick trip up Reservoir Hill on your lunch hour gets everyone in the mood for summer. As the snow begins to melt and the river rises, kayak and rafting enthusiasts hit the river. The San Juan River boasts several developed water features downtown. There is also improved fishing access and ongoing habitat improvements along the river through town. Fish are plentiful in Pagosa waters, with species including catfish, bass, pike and a variety of trout. Hikes in the lower elevations, perhaps around the Piedra River Trail, are a great way to break in the season and relish the beauty of the first signs of spring. Usually by April cyclists abound, enjoying moderate rides together to get in shape for the season. Spring also brings out birding enthusiasts who tag and identify which species have returned to beautiful Pagosa.
Summer brings out the athlete in us all with warm days, cool nights and typically excellent weather conditions. Summer is perfect for just about every sport, especially hiking, mountain and road biking, and running. Summer also means motorcycle rides, offroading and camping in gorgeous locations. Pagosa Springs boasts a wonderful 27-hole golf course, two 18-hole disc golf courses located on Reservoir Hill and at Cloman Community Park and one nine-hole disc golf course in Aspen Springs. Boaters enjoy cruising on Navajo Lake, which spans the Colorado and New Mexico border. Horse enthusiasts head to the Western Heritage Event Center to compete in team roping and rodeo events.
Many of the activities of summer continue into the fall. Athletes get to enjoy the stunning hues of changing leaves as they add another layer of clothing in the evenings. The temperate weather mixed with the gorgeous colors is just another incentive to get out and enjoy the outdoors.
Winter is just as active as the other seasons. For the alpine skier, Wolf Creek Ski Area is just 24 miles away and is known for its radical powder days. The volunteer Nordic Club has developed and grooms an extensive system of trails for classic and skate skiing. Snowed-over hiking trails become excellent snowshoeing trails in the winter. If you feel the need for speed, the Wolf Creek Trailblazers snowmobile club is out and about enjoying the hundreds of miles in the backcountry. Consider ice skating or checking out the plethora of sledding hills in the area.
Pagosa has outdoor activities to enjoy all year long! It is no wonder that so many people choose to live in this stunning mountain town overflowing with natural wonders for individuals of all ages and abilities. Explore on your own or join up with one of the many organizations that will happily show you the ropes and introduce you to the wonders of Pagosa’s outdoors.
