Pagosa Park

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Parks

Colorado

Nearby: Seven Hills Hampden Hills Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Pagosa Park is a popular destination in the state of Colorado, known for its natural hot springs, stunning mountain views, and abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.

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Summary

The park is located near the town of Pagosa Springs and covers over 27,000 acres of land, including forests, meadows, and mountain slopes.

One of the main reasons to visit Pagosa Park is to soak in the natural hot springs, which are heated by geothermal activity deep beneath the earth's surface. The park has several hot springs pools, including the famous Pagosa Hot Springs, which are said to have healing properties due to their high mineral content.

In addition to the hot springs, Pagosa Park has many other points of interest to see, such as hiking trails, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks. Some popular trails include the Piedra River Trail, Devil's Causeway Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail.

Interesting facts about Pagosa Park include that it is home to the largest elk herd in North America and that it sits atop one of the largest geothermal hot spots in the world. The park also has a rich cultural history, with evidence of ancient human habitation dating back over 10,000 years.

The best time of year to visit Pagosa Park depends on what you want to do. Summer is a popular time for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and fishing, while winter offers opportunities for skiing and snowboarding at the nearby Wolf Creek Ski Area. Fall is also a beautiful time to visit, with the changing colors of the aspen trees.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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