Pagosa Springs

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.

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.

Do

 * 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.
 * 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.

Drink

 * Pagosa Bar, 460 Pagosa St.,laid back historic bar.
 * Riff Raff Brewery,274 Pagosa St. local brews and bar food.
 * Pagosa Brewing and Grille, 118 N Pagosa Blvd.

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).