West Fork Trail
The popular West Fork Trail (561), within the Weminuche Wilderness, leads to Rainbow Hot Springs and continues to the Continental Divide Trail at Piedra Pass for a total of 11.6 miles. The first mile of trail is through private property, so please stay on the trail. At mile 4.5, there is a junction with Beaver Creek Trail (560) which is CLOSED to protect public health and safety in several steep sections where the trail tread has deteriorated to the point of not allowing for safe travel. Rainbow Hot Springs is located at mile 5. At mile 6, the trail begins to climb steeply. There are several stream crossings before reaching the Continental Divide Trail at Piedra Pass.
RAINBOW HOT SPRINGS CAMPING: Camping is permitted only in the 9 designated sites (see Restrictions section for more details) in the Rainbow Hot Springs area. These designated sites are marked with numbered posts. Backpackers should have a backup plan in case all sites are occupied. Finding legal dispersed campsites north or south of the closure area may be difficult. Legal dispersed sites must be at least 100 ft from water. In addition, the area between the junction with the closed Beaver Creek Trail and the next crossing of the West Fork of the San Juan is closed to campfires.
Please note, there are many standing dead trees, killed or weakened by the West Fork Fire of 2013 and bark beetle infestation. Forest Service crews have done hazard tree mitigation work around the designated campsites, however there is still an elevated risk of falling trees.
When camping with your dog, please clean up (bury or pack out) your dog waste around campsites.
- Distance (one way): 11.6 miles
- Minimum Elevation: 8,100 feet
- Maximum Elevation: 11,780 feet
Specific Trail Information
Trail Number
General Information
Specific regulations for Rainbow Hot Springs:
- Camping is only allowed at the nine designated sites within ¼ mile either side of the West of the San Juan River from the junction of the West Fork trail (#561) and Beaver Ck trail (#560) to the crossing of West Fork of the San Juan northwest of the hot springs.
- No campfires allowed between the junction with the Beaver Creek Trail and the next crossing of the West Fork of the San Juan.
West Fork Tail is located in the Weminuche Wilderness. Please review all Wilderness Regulations.
- Group size is limited to 15 people.
- Combination of people and stock = 25.
- Dogs under control.
- No unattended campfires.
- Camping is not allowed within 100 feet of any water source.
- Outfitter-guides who receive any form of compensation must obtain a special-use permit to operate on public land.
- Possession of motorized equipment and mechanized means of transport are not permitted.
- Flying drones over congressionally designated wilderness areas is prohibited.
Address: 180 Pagosa Street Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Phone: (719) 851-7377
Hours: Monday - Friday: 8am - 12pm; 1pm - 4:30pm (Closed on federal holidays)
Office Email: SM.FS.PagosaRD@usda.gov
Getting There
Trailhead/Starting Points
West Fork Trailhead - restrooms are available.
Parking
The West Fork Trailhead parking lot has limited spaces and fills up early during the summer months.
Directions
From Pagosa Springs, travel east approximately 14.5 miles on Highway 160. Turn left onto FR 648 and continue approximately 2.5 miles to West Fork trailhead (where the road ends).
