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Recreation

Come and enjoy the natural splendor of the San Juan Mountains and your public lands! The stunning scenery ranges from high desert mesas and canyons to high alpine peaks and meadows. Recreational opportunities abound from fishing to biking, hunting to hiking, OHV riding to simply going to for drive along one of our scenic forest roads. 

In addition, did you know that the San Juan National Forest includes four Wilderness Areas and a National Monument? Explore Chimney Rock National Monument, a culturally-rich area where you can take a step back in time and imagine the landscape as it was a thousand years ago with cultivated fields and settlements extending from the valley floors to the mesa tops.

Looking for outfitters or guides to take you on your San Juan adventure? Visit our Tours page.

Showing: 21 - 30 of 93 results

Coyote Hill Trailhead

Coyote Hill Trailhead gives access to the Coyote Hill Trail #314. The trailhead has a large parking lot suitable for all vehicle types and horse trailers.Trailhead is open to hiking, biking and foot…

Crater Lake Trail

Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
The Crater Lake Trail is an excellent long day hike or an overnight trip within the Weminuche Wilderness. The beginning section of the trail switchbacks up a 500-ft. rise, but once that has been…

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…

Deer Creek Trail

Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Biking
Deer Creek has some excellent views of the West Needle Mountains, along with moderate hiking and good access to other trails. This trail is usually just a day hike, but can be combined with other…

Divide Lakes Trail

Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
Located within the Wemuniche Wilderness, the Divide Lakes Trail #539 provides access to the Divide Lakes as well as Granite Lake Trail #540. The trail is accessed by either the Weminuche Trail #592…

Dry Canyon Day Use Area

Site Open
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. 

Dry Fork Trail

Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Biking
Popular among mountain bikers, trail runners, hikers and horseback riders, Dry Fork trail is a singletrack trail that starts at the cattle guard on the west side of the trailhead parking area. Climb…

Dutch Creek Trail

Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Biking Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV)
Located within the Hermosa Creek Special Management Area, the Dutch Creek Trail is a multi-use trail that starts high and ends low. From Elbert Creek Forest Road, #581, the first few miles follows a…

East Creek Trail

Hiking Horse Riding and Camping
The East Creek trail begins at East Creek Road, FR 852 and ends at the junction with Pine/Piedra Trail #524. The trail heads up the ridges on the east side of Lake, following creeks with waterfalls…

East Fork Campground

Site Open
Picnicking Hiking Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Biking Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV)
The East Fork Campground is located on a ridge above the East Fork of the San Juan River. Nestled amongst the Ponderosa pines and Gambel oaks are 26 campsites containing 17 reservable sites…