Fall is one of the best times of year to get outside in Pagosa Springs. The aspens start turning the mountains gold, the days are still warm enough for hiking and scenic drives, and some of our favorite annual events are happening around town.
If you’re planning a trip around the Colorado fall foliage, here are five ways to enjoy the season near our Pagosa Springs Hotel:
1. Hike Through the Aspens
To truly immerse yourself in the season, lace up your boots and hit the trails. Fall color starts high in the elevations near the Continental Divide before slowly cascading down into the river valley.
Opal Lake is one of our favorites this time of year and is perfect for a half-day outing. The 2-mile round-trip trail climbs gently through dense aspen groves before opening up to a high-alpine lake framed by steep mountain cliffs.
For a longer hike, Fourmile Falls offers a 6.2-mile round-trip trail that follows the Fourmile Creek drainage to a pair of cascading waterfalls surrounded by peak autumn color.
If you’re looking for a rigorous full-day trek, the Anderson Trail climbs over 2,300 feet along the shoulder of Pagosa Peak with sweeping canopy views and large stands of aspen away from the busier lower trails.
2. Take a Scenic Fall Drive
While the hiking trails are beautiful, you don’t need to pack a heavy daypack to take in the San Juan foliage. Some of the most stunning views in Southwest Colorado sit right along the mountain passes and dirt backroads leading into town.
The Plumtaw–Piedra Loop is one of the area’s best backcountry drives, accessible right from town via Forest Road 645 (Plumtaw Road). Sitting higher in elevation than most valley routes, this 35-mile dirt road winds through dense forest and along mountain ridges, delivering breathtaking cliffside overlooks of golden canopy foliage before dropping down near the Piedra River Gorge and Williams Creek Reservoir.
Climbing east toward the Continental Divide, Wolf Creek Pass (Highway 160) is another one of our favorites, offering sweeping views of golden peaks that shift in gradient as you gain elevation. While exploring the pass, pull off for the short, easy walk to Treasure Falls, a dramatic 105-foot waterfall right off the highway.
Blanco Basin Road is another good option, especially if you want to stay closer to town. The road follows the Blanco River into the mountains, passing through forests and open areas with views of the surrounding peaks.
For a longer outing, continue toward East Fork Road, where you’ll find additional mountain scenery and opportunities to get away from the busier roads.
Depending on where you’re traveling from, you can easily incorporate many of these scenic routes into your broader Colorado Road trip to Pagosa Springs, pairing your drive with stops through neighboring mountain towns along the way.
3. See Colorado Foliage From Above
While most of our visitors experience fall from the trail or the car, a hot air balloon ride in Pagosa Springs gives you a completely different view.
From above, the patchwork of golden aspens and evergreen forests stretches across the mountains around Pagosa Springs. On a clear morning, you can see just how much the landscape changes as you move from the valley to the higher elevations.
If taking to the skies is on your bucket list, just let our front desk team know. We can help you reserve your morning flight with local outfitters so everything is lined up before you arrive.
4. Warm Up with Local Fall Flavors
One of the best parts of cooler weather is having an excuse to indulge in fall-flavored lattes, fresh pastries, and seasonal menus around town.
Start the morning at The Lift Coffee House and order a pumpkin spice latte before heading out for a hike or scenic drive, or stop by Pagosa Baking Company for freshly baked seasonal pastries.
For dinner, reserve a table at Meander Riverside Eatery. Their menu shifts with the local harvest, making autumn one of the most exciting times to sample their seasonal, farm-to-table dishes.
5. Celebrate the Season with Local Traditions & Events
Fall also brings some of Pagosa Springs’ most beloved annual traditions.
Colorfest is one of the biggest fall events in town, filling the sky with dozens of colorful hot air balloons throughout the weekend alongside live music, food vendors, craft beer, and community activities.
For a unique way to welcome the season, Chimney Rock National Monument offers its Autumnal Equinox Tour, a special event hosted only once a year. Held at dawn, guests gather in the quiet early morning wilderness to watch the sun rise over the San Juan Mountains from the high 360-degree vantage point of the Great House Pueblo. Guides share the deep astronomical significance the equinox held for the Ancestral Puebloans over 1,000 years ago, as well as the site’s historical connection to Chaco Canyon.
Food lovers will want to time their visit for the Annual Mountain Chile Cha Cha, which celebrates the local green chile harvest with roasted chiles, food trucks, a trail run, and live music.
And of course, there’s Hot Springs Fest, celebrating the natural geothermal waters that Pagosa Springs is known for. The one-of-a-kind festival grants ticket holders access to three downtown hot springs resorts, all within easy walking distance. Whether you prefer a mild, semi-hot pool or like to simmer in a high-temperature “lobster pot,” you can spend the weekend pool-hopping in your robe and swimsuit. The lineup features pool parties, wellness activities, a traditional water blessing, live music and more.
Plan Your Fall Trip to Pagosa Springs
Whether your ideal autumn day involves hiking through golden forests, catching a sunrise balloon launch, or soaking in thermal mineral waters, Pagosa Springs in the fall offers the Colorado experience you’re looking for.
When you stay at RiverWalk Inn, you’re steps away from the San Juan Riverwalk, local dining, and the hot springs. Park your car, enjoy our complimentary hot breakfast each morning, and spend your days taking in the best of the season.
Book your stay at RiverWalk Inn and see what makes fall one of the best times to visit Pagosa Springs.
