San Juan National Forest

Travel Guide

Purgatory Resort Snowy Panorama
Purgatory Resort Snowy Panorama
Hidden in the high country above Silverton CO is Island Lake, In a days hike you can see both Island Lake and the Ice Lakes basin, the best views in southwest Colorado. 

#BVSblue
From the Ridgeline below Three Needles Peak at 13,200' yo can look west and see the other Blue Lake of Colorado. the hike up through Porphyry Basin upper and lower lakes are quite special. "Not the Blue lake at Mt Sneffels"
Fall is coming and the storms on the mountains of the San Juans are just beginning. A favorite location is this old cabin caught between rainstorms, behind are the Twightlight peaks on the right and the Vestal Range on the left.

Where to stay in San Juan National Forest

Panoramic view of beautiful Ice lake near Silverton, Colorado on rocky mountain peak and panorama reflection of summer landscape with nobody and green grass blue sky

Columbine Lake

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Columbine Lake and surrounding area, you can visit Purgatory Resort and Electra Lake.

Columbine Lake
West Cimarron River with coxcomb redcliff and fortress mountains in the back at sunset

San Juan River Village

If you're spending some time in San Juan River Village, San Juan River is a top sight worth visiting.

San Juan River Village
Panoramic image of The narrow gauge railroad locomotive under power between Durango and Silverton in Colorado

Dalton Ranch

If you're spending some time in Dalton Ranch, Animas River and Dalton Ranch Golf Club are top sights worth seeing.

Dalton Ranch
Moon Rising over Williams Reservoir in Colorado

Lake Hatcher Park

While Lake Hatcher Park isn't home to many top sights, Pagosa Springs Golf Club and Stevens Reservoir are some notable places to visit nearby.

Lake Hatcher Park
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Twin Creek Village

While Twin Creek Village isn't home to many top sights, Pagosa Springs Golf Club and Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts are some notable places to visit nearby.

Twin Creek Village
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Lake Pagosa Park

Lake Pagosa Park might not have many top sights, but Pagosa Springs Golf Club and Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Lake Pagosa Park
Luxury on the River, Spacious Home Nestled in the Woods w/ Private Hot Tub, Yard

Luxury on the River, Spacious Home Nestled in the Woods w/ Private Hot Tub, Yard

Durango CO
Stay at this family-friendly holiday home in Durango. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions James Ranch and Durango Hot Springs ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (92 reviews)
Beautiful property on lots of land, perfect for our family reunion for Thanksgiving week. We had 2 grandparents with our 3 children, their spouses and 10 grandchildren. Ages 2 through 75. Comfortable bedrooms, well stocked kitchen, huge living room, gorgeous property for the kids to throw and kick ...

Reviewed on 30 Nov 2025

Luxury on the River, Spacious Home Nestled in the Woods w/ Private Hot Tub, Yard
Large Family Home with Acreage in Beautiful Animas Valley [CO Lic. 02872172-000]

Large Family Home with Acreage in Beautiful Animas Valley [CO Lic. 02872172-000]

Durango CO
Stay at this family-friendly holiday home in Durango. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and a garden. Popular attractions James Ranch and Dalton Ranch Golf ...
10/10 Exceptional! (151 reviews)
Absolutely amazing location and home. We had 15 people ranging from 12-80 years old and the house accommodated us perfectly. Easy access to Purgatory and downtown Durango. Definitely hope to stay here again!

Reviewed on 29 Dec 2025

Large Family Home with Acreage in Beautiful Animas Valley [CO Lic. 02872172-000]
7BR Luxury with Amazing Amenities, Hot Tub, Pool Table, Yard, Close to Town/Ski

7BR Luxury with Amazing Amenities, Hot Tub, Pool Table, Yard, Close to Town/Ski

Durango CO
Stay at this family-friendly holiday home in Durango. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and a pool table. Popular attractions Durango Hot Springs Spa and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (71 reviews)
Hello- I’ll be leaving a few items in my review. I wanted to make you aware that the window in the downstairs bedroom keeps coming open with the wind. We taped it shut from the outside shortly ago. It was disappointing that most windows were broken and we couldn’t let fresh air in when it got hot ...

Reviewed on 19 Jan 2026

7BR Luxury with Amazing Amenities, Hot Tub, Pool Table, Yard, Close to Town/Ski
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Breathtaking 6 BR log home mountain views with closest location to Wolf Creek!

Breathtaking 6 BR log home mountain views with closest location to Wolf Creek!

Pagosa Springs CO
Stay at this family-friendly holiday home in Pagosa Springs. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a water park and laundry facilities. Popular attractions San Juan Historical Museum ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (111 reviews)
This is our favorite place to stay when going to the mountain.

Reviewed on 26 Jan 2026

Breathtaking 6 BR log home mountain views with closest location to Wolf Creek!
Luxury on the River, Spacious Home Nestled in the Woods w/ Private Hot Tub, Yard

Luxury on the River, Spacious Home Nestled in the Woods w/ Private Hot Tub, Yard

Durango CO
Stay at this family-friendly holiday home in Durango. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions James Ranch and Durango Hot Springs ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (92 reviews)
Beautiful property on lots of land, perfect for our family reunion for Thanksgiving week. We had 2 grandparents with our 3 children, their spouses and 10 grandchildren. Ages 2 through 75. Comfortable bedrooms, well stocked kitchen, huge living room, gorgeous property for the kids to throw and kick ...

Reviewed on 30 Nov 2025

Luxury on the River, Spacious Home Nestled in the Woods w/ Private Hot Tub, Yard
PET FRIENDLY, cozy, quiet, cabin; river in the backyard STARLINK; VRP-25-0076

PET FRIENDLY, cozy, quiet, cabin; river in the backyard STARLINK; VRP-25-0076

Pagosa Springs CO
Stay at this cabin in Pagosa Springs. Enjoy a fitness centre, a garden and patios. Popular attraction Crater Lake Trail is located nearby.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (201 reviews)
Oh my goodness. Best vacation rental I have ever rented. 100/100 would recommend. AMAZING. Everything I dreamed of and more. Perfectly clean. Pristine. River is better than the pictures. Beds were so comfortable. Host was out of this world responsive and friendly. Location was incredible.

Reviewed on 30 Dec 2025

PET FRIENDLY, cozy, quiet, cabin; river in the backyard STARLINK; VRP-25-0076
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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