Pagosa Springs Area Guide

General Information

Recreation is a mainstay in Pagosa Springs, a myriad of choices from hiking, fishing, hunting and all kinds of ski sports available year round. The town of Pagosa Springs is named for the Southern Ute word for ‘healing waters’ (Pagosah) and located thirty minutes west of the Continental Divide. Surrounded by the majestic San Juan National Forest and Southern Ute Indian lands, Pagosa Springs offers great hiking trails, four wheel drive trails and beautiful scenery for any visitor wanting a one of a kind experience.

With 300 days the average for beautiful weather and four distinctive seasons, Pagosa Springs offers resident and visitor alike a unique experience!

To learn more, visit: http://www.townofpagosasprings.com/index.asp?Type=NONE&SEC={80FDCCC5-BC73-460F-A6D1-20BFD9372613}

History

Credit is given to Charles Baker, who discovered gold in 1860 where Silverton sits today, but miners who came to the area encountered hostile Ute tribes as well as hostile land and found little gold in the placer deposits. The Utes kept most intruders off their land until 1870, when rich lodes were discovered in Baker’s Park and began another gold rush. In 1868, a treaty was negotiated with the Utes until finally in 1873, Felix Brunot negotiated a treaty with Chief Ouray to cede an area of 6000 square miles.

Pagosa Springs had been recommended as a good site for a military post in 1867. Fort Lewis was built there in 1878 to control the Utes. The military built a road from Antonito/Conejos across Elwood Pass to facilitate the transport of supplies to Fort Lewis. A town site of about 1 square mile around Pagosa Hot Springs was staked out to provide winter quarters for travelers, miners, and settlers. There were already a few people living near the hot spring, and a post office had been opened about four months before the army moved in. Several of the buildings in the long block of downtown Pagosa Springs facing the river were built between 1885 and 1910 on grounds that had been part of Fort Lewis. In 1891 Pagosa Springs was incorporated. Settlers were interested in ranching, lumbering, and coal mining.

The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad connected Antonito with Durango in 1881. The train line was a boon to logging companies. The 31 mile route up Cat Creek to Dyke and Pagosa Springs was completed in October of 1900, and the Rio Grande, Pagosa & Northern R. R. began operations. Spurs The D&RG eventually took over management of Sullenberger's line. After the company fell on hard times the Pagosa route was the first to be abandoned. The tracks were removed in 1936, but old grades and a few crumbling buildings can be seen if you know where to look.

To learn more, visit: http://www.pagosa.com/history3.php

Attraction and Activities

Artisans of the Southwest Gallery & Winery
Treasure this unique opportunity to enjoy area and regional artists who show and sell their art, whether it be artwork, jewelry or art cards in a lovely gallery setting.

To learn more, visit: http://www.artisansofthesouthwest.com/

The Pagosa Springs Golf Club
Ponderosa pines line the fairway of the 27 holes of golf at Pagosa Springs Golf Club. Enjoy great scenery and great golf at the same time and sharpen your game. Whether you’re a beginner on their first set of clubs, or a pro, you’ll love this course.

For more information,visit: http://www.golfpagosa.com/sites/courses/layout9.asp?id=964&page=54669

Canyon Rio Rafting
Canyon rio runs the Upper Salt River, March through May offering one, three and five day trips. Enjoy rarely seen wilderness, rock formations only Mother Nature can make and bald eagles flying through the sky on your excursion.

To learn more, visit: http://www.canyonrio.com/

Rocky Mountain Balloon Adventures
Join in the adventure in your very own balloon ride. It begins shortly after sunrise when the mountain air just right for breaking the rules of gravity.

For more information, visit: http://www.pagosaviews.com/

Parks and Recreation

To learn everything there is to know about Pagosa Springs and its Parks and Recreations Department, visit: http://www.townofpagosasprings.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B588B6AB1-ADED-46F1-86B2-36BBD3C24950%7D

Events

From Community Choir Concerts to Breakfast with Santa, Pagosa Springs is filled year round with great activities for the whole family.

For listings of events in Pagosa Springs, visit: http://www.visitpagosasprings.com/events