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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.

Search for Hiking Opportunities

Showing: 1 - 10 of 55 results

Aspen Guard Station
Hiking Biking Off Highway Vehicles (OHV)
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…

Blanco River Group Campground
Site Open
Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Hiking
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…

Bridge Campground
Site Open
Picnicking Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Hiking
Bridge Campground offers 19 campsites in a flat, open area all on a first-come, first-serve basis between May and September.Plenty of large sites offer views of the high peaks to the north. Horses…

Buckles Lake Trailhead
Horse Riding and Camping Hiking
The Buckles Lake Trailhead leads to both Buckles Lake Trail (688) and V Rock Trail (578).Buckles Lake Trail is 3 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 663m - Buckles Lake Road, continues past…

Burro Bridge Campground
Site Open
Horse Riding and Camping Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Hiking Off Highway Vehicles (OHV)
Two miles northeast of Dunton, Burro Bridge is one of three campgrounds along the West Dolores Road (Forest Rd. 535). The campground has 14 sites with a few shade trees on a sloping hillside above…

Cayton Campground
Site Open
Picnicking Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) Hiking
Cayton Campground, located off Highway 145 north of Rico has 27 campsites and 3 picnic sites along the Dolores River. Two loops offer a choice of sites. The lower loop near the river has 14 mostly…

Chris Park Group Campground
Site Open
Water Activities Hiking Biking Horse Riding and Camping Picnicking Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
The Chris Park Group Campground, one mile south of Haviland Lake on Forest Rd. 166, has 3 group campsites. Two group sites accommodate 75 campers each. A third group site accommodates up to 150…

Coal Creek Trailhead
Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Off Highway Vehicles (OHV)
The Coal Creek Trailhead is the beginning of Coal Creek Trail (581). The trail is 8.8 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 667 - East Fork Rd. and ends at Forest Road 666 - Fawn Gulch Road.The trail…

Cross Mountain Trailhead
Hiking Horse Riding and Camping
The Cross Mountain Trailhead is the start of Cross Mountain Trail (637). The trail is 3.1 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 424 - Cross Mountain and ends at Lizard Head Trail (409). The trail…

Dry Canyon Day Use Area
Site Closed
Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Hiking Water Activities Scenic Drives
The Dry Canyon Day Use Area is on the north shore of McPhee Reservoir. It's open mid-April to October. 

Last updated April 8th, 2025

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