Rocky Mountain Hot Air Balloon Ride
Pagosa Springs sits at the feet of southwest Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, just an hour from New Mexico. It’s home to the mineral-rich waters of the world’s deepest hot spring and abundant sunshine year-round.
The town offers plenty of opportunities to adventure outside, heal in its abundant natural springs, and take in breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains. It’s a must-visit, authentic mountain town.
How to Get to Pagosa Springs
Pagosa Springs is a 4.5-hour drive from Downtown Denver. It’s a scenic drive that will take you through the plains and mountains.
Pagosa Springs also has an airport, Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO), that has routes from Denver International Airport (DIA).
If you decide to drive, we recommend stopping by this quaint meatery in Ribeye, Colorado.
@alexgoesglobal Welcome to Ribeye, Colorado! 🥩🦌 Add this stop to your Pagosa Springs itinerary! #coloradoroadtrip #coloradoadventures #coloradotravel #pagosasprings #girlstrip #meatery #elkjerky ♬ original sound – Alex Goes Global
Best Things to Do in Pagosa Springs
#1 Relax and Recharge at the Springs Resort
View from The Springs Resort dry sauna
The Springs Resort is both a hotel and a public hot spring.
We had the opportunity to stay on the newest side of their hotel expansion and were able to take advantage of their spa amenities and included spa activities. Their hot springs are open 24 hours and have adult-only pools with relaxing views of the San Juan River.
Day passes can be purchased to experience the hot springs, but we recommend staying in their newer property so that you can take advantage of all the included activities and amenities.
View this post on Instagram
#2 Take a Pagosa Hot Air Balloon Ride
We took a 45-minute balloon ride to see Pagosa Springs from above! We were led by Austin (our brave pilot!) of Rocky Mountain Balloon Adventures and his team through a 3-hour flight experience, which ended in a champagne toast and doughnuts!
It costs around $169 per person and operates daily between 6:45 AM and 9:45 AM.
We could not recommend this experience enough!
View this post on Instagram
#3 Visit a Waterfall
Treasure Falls
There are three amazing waterfalls to explore in the area. And each of them is easy to get to!
- Treasure Falls – The easiest waterfall. It takes no more than 15 minutes to get to the bridge where you can view the waterfall.
- Piedra Falls – Another easy waterfall hike (30 minutes in and out).
- Silver Falls – Hike up to a waterfall that takes about 20 minutes round trip.
#4 Explore the Chimney Rock National Monument
Just 20 minutes west of Pagosa Springs lies Chimney Rock National Monument, once a sacred home of the Ancestral Puebloans of the Chaco Canyon.
Take a tour mid-May through September and experience history firsthand. The cost is $20 per vehicle to drive up to the trailhead. From there, it takes about 10 minutes to get to the historic site.
We highly recommend bringing a hat, sunglasses, sunblock and sunscreen as it can get pretty hot and has very little shade.
#5 Check out the Pagosa Springs History Museum
A walk around historic downtown Pagosa Springs provides a window into the past, and the Pagosa Springs History Museum invites you to dig deeper into Pagosa Springs’ history through curated exhibits, many of which contain local artifacts, graciously donated by Pagosa area pioneer families.
The museum is open from mid-May through September.
#6 Check out the Pagosa Springs Farmer’s Market
The Pagosa Springs Farmer’s Market runs from mid-June to the end of September, on Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM.
Come check out the various local vendors selling produce, crafts, food, and more.
#7 Walk Along the San Juan Riverwalk
The San Juan Riverwalk is a paved path along the San Juan River in downtown Pagosa Springs and is perfect for the entire family. There are several places along the trail to access the river to swim, fish, tube, or dip your feet in.
The trail starts at Town Park and ends at the Ross Aragon Community Center. where you will find ample parking, a playground, restrooms, and picnic tables. The trail ends at the Ross Aragon Community Center.
From there, you can return to Town Park along the trail, or you can walk along Hot Springs Blvd.
#8 Go Tubing Along the San Juan River
You’ll see plenty of tubers as soon as you get into town. We like to bring our own tubes and walk along the San Juan Riverwalk to get back to town.
There are some companies that offer a shuttle back up the river for only $20! We recommend Pagosa Outside for this experience.
#9 Take a Historic Train Ride
- Tracks Across Borders Byway
- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
- Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
#10 See Animals at the Pagosa Wildlife Park
The Pagosa Wildlife Park is a great place to ogle at some animals. Here you’ll get a chance to see animals roam in their natural habitat.
Expect to spend at least 3 hours here! There is so much to see!
#10 See a Play at the Pagosa Center for the Arts
The Pagosa Center for the Arts is a great spot to watch plays, performances, and more.
#11 Play Golf
Enjoy 27 holes of golf at the Pagosa Springs Golf Course. The golf course here is absolutely gorgeous with reflective lakes and vast, lush greenery.
#12 Go Rafting/Kayaking/Paddleboarding
Rent a kayak or paddleboard and get on the water! Check out Pagosa Outside for this experience.
Where to Eat in Pagosa
Pork Bao Buns from Mee Hmong
There are surprisingly many dining options in Pagosa Springs! Here are some of our top recommendations.
- Alley House Grill
- Beny’s Authentic Mexican Restaurant – Delicious Mexican restaurant with huge portions. Come here for their cocktails. They’re so refreshing!
- Black Bart’s for brunch!
- Mee Hmong – The FRESHEST meal we experienced in Pagosa Springs. Highly recommend their la mee chicken and avocado bowls. Mimi also bottles her tasty sauces to take home!
- Meander Eatery – A farm-to-table eatery located riverside. We LOVE their pork and steak dish. Reservations are highly recommended.
- Pagosa Bakery
- Patria
- Peak Deli
- Robert’s BBQ – Delicious BBQ from a food truck!
- Sage Eatery
- Thai Pagosa
- Two Chicks and a Hippie – Great spot for breakfast and brunch with healthy options.
- Wild Finch – A new fine dining restaurant located onsite at the Springs Resort. The food here is worth trying. We loved the country fried steak elk, Kachumbari (salad with melons), and savory cotton candy dessert.
View this post on Instagram
Where to Drink in Pagosa
- Break Room
- Caldwell’s Liberty Bar
- Cork and Board
- Pagosa Bar
- Riff Raff Brewery
- The Neon Mallard
What to Bring to Pagosa Springs
These are our must-haves for Pagosa Springs!
- Swimwear – Check out our favorite swimwear from TA3, Andie, and Knix swimwear
- Flip Flops – Oka-B
- Water Bottle – Staying hydrated is a must as you hop from pool to pool. Add ice to your water so that you can stay cool from the inside out. We swear by Stanley products!
- Mini Cooler – Bring your own chilled beverages as you hop around town!
- Sunglasses
- Hats – We love hats by Wallaroo and Gigi Pip!
- Sunscreen (for body and face)
- Chapstick
Pagosa Springs Travel Guide Map
If you found our Pagosa Springs travel guide helpful, please share it with someone who needs to relax and recharge. Thanks for your support!
Thank you for visiting today! If you found this encouraging or informative, please connect with us on Instagram or TikTok. Sign up for our monthly newsletter for updates and more. We promise we won't spam you! Feel free to unsubscribe anytime. If you're a brand and want to work with us, please visit this page to get in touch.
