Hiking

San Juan National Forest is known for spectacular high elevation hiking and extensive backcountry opportunities. Whether hiking for a day or heading to the backcountry for several nights, the scenery will take your breath away and perhaps you will leave feeling a bit more connected to this gorgeous, but rugged country. 

Spotlights

• Colorado Trail: From Denver to Durango, the Colorado Trail passes through 88 miles of the San Juan National Forest. All the information you need to know before you hit the trail can be found at Colorado Trail Foundation with up-to-date conditions, closures, etc.
• Continental Divide Trail (CDT): The CDT travels 3,100 miles from the Canadian to the Mexican border with approximately 152 miles traversing through the Pagosa and Columbine Districts of the San Juan National Forest. Before heading out, visit the Continental Divide Trail Coalition website and make sure to check the closures & alerts to find out if there are any closures, fire bans, or other restrictions affecting the section of trail you’d like to visit.

Resources to Help Plan Your Adventure

• Pagosa Trails: Local non-profit that provides detailed information about trails in the Pagosa Springs area.
• San Juan Mountains Association: Local non-profit that provides detailed information on the areas most popular trails, alternatives to these popular trails, and how you can help leave-no-trace so all can enjoy
• Mancos Trail Group: Local non-profit comprised of an all-volunteer community that maintains local trails and provides updated trail information

Backpacking

Miles of beautiful scenic trails with close-up views of towering mountain peaks and crystal clear lakes, along with peaceful solitude, reward those backpacking on the San Juan National Forest. 

San Juan National Forest encompasses four Wilderness areas (Weminuche, South San Juan, Lizard Head and Hermosa) which make the perfect backpacking experience.

Day Hikes

The San Juan National Forest has hundreds of trails, many within a short drive of Durango, Dolores, Mancos, Bayfield, Silverton, and Pagosa Springs. Opportunities for day hikes abound.

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Recreation Opportunities

Backpacking (53)

Day Hikes (29)

General Hiking (1)

Showing: 1 - 10 of 165 results

Animas River Trail

The Animas River Trail is an excellent trail for day hikers, backpackers, and stock riders. The Animas River Trail is an alternative to taking the train to get to Chicago Basin by connecting…

Aspen Guard Station

Aspen Guard Station is a beautiful cabin. Built between 1938-1940, this cabin offers a visit to the past  while being near enough to civilization to have a foot in both worlds.  This old cabin…

Aspen Loop Trail

The Aspen Loop Trail is a multipurpose trail constructed by the San Juan National Forest and the Four Corners Trail Club. The trail is open to ATVs, motorized trail bikes, horseback riders, hikers,…

Bear Creek Trail

Bear Creek trail (607) begins at the confluence of Bear Creek and the Dolores River and merges with a portion of the Highline Loop National Recreation Trail, eight miles upstream. This is a great…

Beri ATV Trail

Beri ATV Trail #812 begins and ends at Middle Mountain Road, Forest Road 724. Middle Mountain road heads north of Vallecito Reservoir. The trail is popular with Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs).Distance…

Big Al Trail

Big Al Trail (630) is handicapped accessible and offers spectacular views of the West Mancos River Valley and the La Plata Mountains with the visually prominent Mount Hesperus. The trail is a wide,…

Blanco River Group Campground

Site Closed

The Blanco River Group Campground is a convenient stopping point between Chama, New Mexico, and Pagosa Springs, about 15 miles southeast of Pagosa Springs. This group campground offers one group…

Boggy Draw OHV Trail

The Boggy Draw OHV trail is 30 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 527 - Boggy Draw Rd. and ends at Boggy Draw OHV. The trail is open for the following uses: Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) less than or…

Boggy Draw Trail

The Boggy Draw trail is 8.5 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 527 - Boggy Draw Rd. and ends at Boggy Trailhead.The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding

Box Canyon Trail

Box Canyon Trail starts along FS561 shortly before you reach Transfer Campground. There is a sign on the right (east) side of the road for the Box Canyon Trail. This is a good place to park. The…