Pagosa Springs Releases 10 “Best of” Lists Detailing Top Activities, Attractions

Lists help travelers plan memorable vacation to Southwest Colorado hot springs town

Pagosa Springs, Colo. – In southwest Colorado, at the base of the Continental Divide and Wolf Creek Pass, lay a scenery-studded town surrounded by three million acres of natural forest.

Pagosa Springs, famous for it hot springs, the world’s deepest according Guinness World Records, combines ragged mountain peaks, soaring cliffs, alpine lakes and rivers, and undisturbed wilderness with dramatic geologic history that speaks to recreation enthusiasts of all levels and types. “The biggest challenge for visitors to Pagosa Springs is deciding what activities to do, and how to prioritize their interests in the time they are visiting,” says Jennifer Green, Director of Tourism for Pagosa Springs. To help visitors make the most of their trips, the town has put together easy-to-reference “best of” lists.

1. 10 Best Hikes in Pagosa Country – Includes a wide variety of hikes showcasing some of the area’s most scenic highlights, ranging from a quarter-mile stroll to Treasure Falls to sections of the 80-mile-long Continental Divide Trail.
2. The Best Baker’s Dozen Events – Pagosa Springs is a town that celebrates early, late and often. Here, profiles of some of the most popular events include January’s Outlaw Snowdown, June’s Great Golden Retriever Roundup, and July’s Cruise-a-Thon – a triathlon designed for the fun at heart (cruiser bike ride, flip-flops walk and a float through downtown).
3. Best Scenic Drives – Not-to-miss drives include: Wolf Creek Pass, cresting at 10,857 feet on the Continental Divide; Blanco Basin, one of the most scenic drives in the state, with views of the Continental Divide, Square Top Mountain and Oil Mountain; and East Fork/Elwood Pass, an all-day four-wheel-drive trip that runs past historic creeks, mines and old mining towns.

The town’s tourism website offers seven more Pagosa Springs “best-of” lists, covering the top fishing areas, heritage sites, whitewater, waterfalls, horseback riding trails, camping areas and mountain bike rides. Visitors also can gain insight into Pagosa Springs activities with TripAdvisor’s top traveler-recommended attractions.

Pagosa Springs (www.visitpagosasprings.com)

Located 60 miles east of Durango in southwest Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, Pagosa Springs is home to the largest and hottest natural mineral outflow in the world, with the hot springs noted for their healing and restorative qualities. Surrounded by the three-million-acre San Juan National Forest, Pagosa Springs is adjacent to the largest contiguous wilderness area in the nation, the Weminuche Wilderness. The area is popular with both summer and winter outdoor recreation enthusiasts, while offering a thriving cultural and retail community.

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