Rio Blanco - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Tucked into the rolling hills of Archuleta County, there's a small, hidden refuge to animals that call the Rocky Mountains home.This privately owned and operated facility since 1986 has been educating the people about the importance of animals in the ecology of that area. The animal enclosures of Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park are so beautifully created on the theme of their natural habitat that the animals thrive here peacefully and are totally cool with the proximity of the humans.

Echo Canyon Reservoir was constructed in 1969 in the Meadow Valley Wash, approximately 10 miles downstream from Eagle Valley Reservoir in Lincoln County. The 65-acre reservoir presents the perfect place for boating and swimming and is home to a variety of waterfowl, including mallards, teals and herons.

The San Juan Riverwalk is a paved path running along the San Juan river in Pagosa Springs. It's an easy walk with great views of the Hot Springs. Watching the rafters go by, seeing all the birds, it was really enjoyable and it has access to free hot spring pools.

Pagosa Springs is located approximately 35 miles north of the New Mexico border, at 7,126 feet above sea level on the Western Slope of the Continental Divide. This combination of high desert plateau and the Rocky Mountains to the north and east creates an unusually mild climate, especially in the summer months. Pagosa sees around 300 days of sun each year, as well as four distinct seasons.

A majestic historical museum located on the former James King farm which was homesteaded in the 1880s. It consists of the original farmhouse, carriage house, root cellar and milk house in addition to the first San Juan County jail, a pioneer log cabin, and a barn and resource center. The history museum includes 19th and 20th century life on San Juan Island, featuring photographs, pioneer stories, and a blend of cultures that have shaped the island over the years.

A beautiful lake nestled against the San Juan Mountains. Enjoy hiking, fishing, or a scenic picnic. it surrounds a park featuring lakefront, wooded, and hillside terrain. Lake Pagosa is the largest of the four stocked fishing lakes in Pagosa Lakes.