18 Attractions to Explore Near San Juan National Forest
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Haviland LakeHaviland Lake is an 80-acre, no-wake lake with excellent boating, canoeing and fishing opportunities. The campground is situated on the shore of Haviland Lake, among shady, towering ponderosa pines, at an elevation of 8,705 feet. Visitors enjoy the area for its canoeing, fishing and hiking opportunities in a scenic, natural setting. The popular campground is beautiful any time of the year.
Electra LakeElectra Lake is a private, man-made reservoir located roughly 23 miles north of Durango in La Plata County, Colorado. The reservoir's maximum capacity is 29,800 acre⋅ft. The lake is open to the public for fee use during the summer months.
Purgatory ResortA majestic ski resort located in the San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado. It offers 105 trails, including 5 terrain parks, over 1,500 skiable acres, and 12 lifts, including one six-person and two high speed quad lift. Facilities at the resort include condos that are rented out by their owners to vacationing tourists, a nightclub/bar at the bottom of the ski slopes by the chair lifts, a shuttle that goes back and forth from the resort to the nearby town of Durango.
Pinkerton Hot SpringsPinkerton Hot Springs are nature’s gift to the tiny town of Durango. Located a few miles out of town on Highway 550, these springs were discovered in the early 1800s by James Pinkerton. The actual spot from where the water gushes out from the earth are covered by a man-made rock pile. The water’s minerals have made the rocks colourful with time.
Hermosa Creek TrailThe Hermosa Creek Trail is one of the best and most popular trails in the Durango area. There are several route options including an out and back on the singletrack portion of Hermosa Creek Trail. The main trail is very obvious. You will see several trail junctions along the way, but the main Hermosa Creek Trail is always the most well-worn route.
Potato LakePotato Lake is a beautiful spot located in San Juan County, Colorado. The lake is surrounded by mountains and is a popular destination for hiking, camping, and fishing. Potato Lake is home to a variety of fish, including trout, pike, and bass. Visitors can also enjoy swimming, kayaking, and canoeing. In addition to its natural beauty, Potato Lake is also home to a number of historical sites, including the ruins of an old mining town.
Twilight PeakTwilight Peak is a popular destination for hiking and camping. The peak is named for its position near the edge of the continental divide, where the sun sets early in the evening. Twilight Peak is also home to several glaciers, including Bancroft Glacier and Sunset Glacier. The summit of Twilight Peak offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and lakes.Wildflowers are abundant in the meadows near the peak, and wildlife includes elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and mountain lions.
Pigeon PeakPigeon Peak, elevation 13,978 ft, is a summit in the Needle Mountains, a subrange of the San Juan Mountains in the southwestern part of the US State of Colorado. This Peak is notable both for its absolute height and for its local relief. It is the 57th highest independent peak in Colorado, narrowly missing the well-known list of fourteeners. The standard route is not technically difficult, but it is long and requires a little-hiked wilderness approach.
Turret PeakTurret Peak is the highest of three Turret Peaks in Colorado, the 89th highest peak in the state and less than a half mile southeast of Pigeon Peak. It was named because of its interesting rock faces and turrets and is the highest of the Turret Needles. The summit provides a great view of Pigeon Peak's east face and the Grenadier Mountains to the north.
Mount EolusMount Eolus is a high mountain summit of the Needle Mountains range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. It is one of three fourteeners in the Needle Mountains; the others are Sunlight Peak and Windom Peak. These mountains are among the most remote of Colorado's fourteeners and have a strong wilderness character.
Chicago BasinChicago Basin in the northern part of La Plata County is undoubtedly one of the premier hiking areas in Colorado. It lies within the Weminuche Wilderness, part of the San Juan National Forest. The basin is a popular destination in summer for climbers and backpackers. The standard route of access to Chicago Basin is somewhat unusual.
Bar D ChuckwagonBar D Chuckwagon are a stage performance quartet presenting a blend of Western music, cowboy poetry, and rollicking Western humor. They are based at their chuckwagon-style restaurant near Durango, Colorado, and perform there and at mostly regional venues. They have performed internationally in Japan. The Bar D Wranglers perform in concert after supper with music and songs of old west cowboys, comedy, and lively instrumentals. The show is fun for the whole family.
San Juan National ForestThe San Juan National Forest is located in the southwest corner of Colorado, bordering both the Lizard Head Wilderness and the Weminuche Wilderness. It is the largest forest in Colorado, stretching over 1.8 million acres. The San Juans are home to 12,000 foot peaks, alpine lakes and meadows, old-growth forests, and sprawling valleys. With such a variety of terrain, it's no wonder that the San Juans are a popular destination for hikers, campers, hunters, and fishermen alike.
Jupiter MountainJupiter Mountain is Colorado's 92nd highest peak. Jupiter sits at the head of Needle Creek and shares the remote Chicago Basin with four fourteeners--South Mount Eolus, North Mount Eolus, Sunlight Peak and Windom Peak--so it is an often overlooked mountain by those who venture into Chicago Basin. Jupiter Mountain also boasts some fun snow climbing on the mountain's north side. As these routes are snow climbs, they are best done in winter or spring when there's good snowpack.
Windom PeakWindom Peak is the 34th highest peak in Colorado and is part of a group of three fourteeners- Sunlight, Windom, and Eolus. The mountain was named in honor of Minnesota senator William Windom. It have a strong wilderness character; however they can be popular in summer.
Coal Bank PassCoal Bank Pass is a high mountain pass located in San Juan County, Colorado. The pass is traversed by a road that connects the town of Silverton with the town of Ouray. The pass is named for the coal deposits that are found in the area. The road over the pass is one of the most scenic drives in Colorado, and it offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The pass is open year-round, but it can be treacherous in winter due to the heavy snowfall.
Sunlight PeakSunlight Peak, the 39th highest, is one of three 14ers located deep in the rugged Needle Mountains of Southwestern Colorado. The standard route up Sunlight Peak is from the south, known as the "Red Couloir". It is a non-technical scramble, but achieving the top of the summit block does require an exposed rock climbing move.
Engineer MountainEngineer Mountain is one of the many peaks in the San Juan Mountains, which is notable for its symmetrical cone-shaped peak, which is a popular hike for visitors to the area. It is also home to a number of old mines, which are now popular tourist attractions. Engineer Mountain is located in San Juan County, Colorado, and is part of the San Juan National Forest. The peak rises to an elevation of 12,968 feet.
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Know more about San Juan National Forest
San Juan National ForestThe San Juan National Forest is located in southwestern Colorado and is composed of 1,867,800 acres of mainly coniferous forests and alpine meadows. Camping or hiking, you’ll have the adventure of a lifetime in the San Juans; it’s an outdoor paradise, with huge alpine peaks and endless forests. The forest contains two alpine wilderness areas; the Weminuche and South San Juan, as well as the Piedra Area. The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad passes through the National Forest.