East Fork – Silver Falls – Elwood Pass – Quartz Meadow Approx. 30+ miles round trip
From town, start by traveling 12 miles east of U.S. 160. Take a right on East Fork Road (FS 667). The first few miles of this route are suitable for most passenger vehicles; after that, high-clearance vehicles are recommended as there are multiple water crossings. The canyon opens up into a breathtaking river valley with impressive mountain views. Silver Falls is located about 8 miles from U.S. 160. The trail begins on the north side of the road (left). Hike up past the old guard station about 1/8 mile to reach the base of the falls. At the upper end of the valley, about 12 miles from U.S. 160, at a fork stay left toward Elwood Pass, a more technical drive, or right to Quartz Meadow.
Plumtaw – Piedra Loop – Williams Creek Reservoir Approx. 35-60 miles round trip
This route takes you past amazing vistas and multiple trailheads for recreational options. From U.S. 160, turn north at Lewis Street and take the immediate left fork in the road. At about 1/4 mile, take the right fork and follow Fourmile Road (CR 400, which becomes FS 645) about 8 miles. Take the left fork and follow Plumtaw Road (FS 634); you can continue your trip in two directions. Where Plumtaw Road descends to the Piedra Road, turn right to the Piedra River Trail and continue to Williams Creek Reservoir, a scenic, high-mountain reservoir with great fishing, hiking and camping. If you turn left, you will continue back to Pagosa Springs. The roads are suitable for all vehicles. This is a great route for viewing fall foliage.
Blanco Basin
Approx. 40 miles round trip
This is one of the most scenic drives in the state of Colorado, especially when fall colors are bright. The route is south on U.S. 84 for 8 miles to the Blanco Basin turnoff (CR 326). Follow the road to the head of the basin and magnificent views of the Continental Divide, Square Top Mountain and Oil Mountain. For an even more spectacular side trip, turn right onto Castle Creek Road (FS 660), cross the Rio Blanco and proceed to the end of the road at Fish Creek, about 6 miles. The last 2.5 miles of the road to Fish Creek is very slick when wet. Roads are all-weather and suitable for conventional vehicles. Return by the same route.
Mill Creek — Nipple Mountain Road
Approx. 32 miles round trip
Turn onto Mill Creek Road (CR 302) just north of the county fairgrounds from U.S. 84. At approximately 7 miles, take the right fork (FS 665) and proceed east to the Nipple Mountain area, another 12 miles. The trip will provide a vast panorama of the upper San Juan Valley. Proceed through the saddle separating Oil and Square Top mountains. From this vantage point, you will be able to observe the Blanco Basin. The road dead ends. Return by the same route.
Pagosa Junction
Approx. 45-50 miles round trip
Go south on 8th Street out of Pagosa Springs, turning right on Apache Street, which becomes Trujillo Road (CR 500), through the early-day settlements of Juanita and Trujillo. See historic Pagosa Junction. From there, the route goes up Cat Creek Gap (CR 700) past the now-deserted Talian Mine and the Lone Tree Catholic Church, a landmark. Return to Pagosa Springs on U.S. 160. Continuing on CR 500 will take you to Navajo Lake and Navajo State Park. Return to Pagosa Springs via Colo. 151, past Chimney Rock National Monument and U.S. 160. The roads are all suitable for conventional vehicles.
Summitville – Platoro – Cumbres Pass – Chama
Approx. 100+ miles — all-day trip
On Wolf Creek Pass, approximately 6.5 miles from the east side of the summit, take Park Creek (FS 380), and proceed to Summitville (mining ghost town last used in the ‘70s). Continue toward Elwood Pass and south to Platoro. Upon reaching N.M. Hwy. 17, turn right and cross Cumbres Pass. You will follow the route of the Cumbres and Toltec narrow gauge railroad to Chama, N.M. From there it is 48 miles back to Pagosa Springs via U.S. 17, 84. This route is suitable for conventional vehicles.
Lobo Overlook – Continental Divide
Approx. 45 miles.
Suitable for conventional vehicles and as close to the top of the world as you can get by vehicle in this area. Turn north off U.S. 160 at the summit of Wolf Creek Pass, follow the road up to the transmitter site. A spectacular vantage point and a picnic area are provided at the topographical crest of the mountain. A section of the Continental Divide Trail is accessible from the radio tower; parking is available. The road is accessible late June to early September.
Wolf Creek Pass
Approx. 80 miles round trip
You can easily spend a day exploring Wolf Creek Pass. Starting from Pagosa Springs, stop at Treasure Falls about 16 miles east of town. The next stop is the West Fork Valley Overlook, a scene featured in the movie “Vacation” and one certain to leave an impression. You will have a view of Treasure Falls from above — a great vantage point of the valley below. The next stop is the Continental Divide and Wolf Creek summit. As you head down the pass toward South Fork, check out Alberta Reservoir (near Wolf Creek Ski Area), Big Meadows Reservoir or Tucker Ponds to see small alpine lakes.