9 Lake/ River/ Ponds to Explore in Archuleta County

Checkout places to visit in Archuleta County

Archuleta County

Archuleta County is a gateway to the beautiful Southwest Colorado. Pagosa Springs, the county seat and largest city of Archuleta County, sits quietly at 7,079 feet in the heart of the San Juan Mountains.It is the gateway to 2.8 million acres of wilderness and national forest areas including the San Juan National Forest, Weminuche Wilderness Area and the South San Juan Wilderness Area.

Activities Around

Lake/ River/ Ponds to Explore in Archuleta County

Chama Lake

This is a major tributary river of the Rio Grande, is located in the U.S. states of Colorado and New Mexico. The river is about 130 miles long altogether. From its source to El Vado Dam its length is about 50 miles , from El Vado Dam to Abiquiu Dam is about 51 miles, and from Abiquiu Dam to its confluence with the Rio Grande is about 34 miles.

East Fork San Juan River

East Fork San Juan River is a tributary of the San Juan River in southern Colorado in the United States. The stream flows from the confluence of Crater Creek and Elwood Creek in Mineral County to a confluence with the West Fork San Juan River in Archuleta County that forms the San Juan River.

Echo Canyon Reservoir

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.

Lake Pagosa

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.

Opal Lake

A beautiful freshwater lake located on the western region of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, in King County, Washington. The lake is connected by stream to Emerald Lake and Jade Lake, which form together the Neckelace Valley Lakes. Opal Lake and its surrounding lakes and peaks are a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing Rainbow trout. Access to Opal Lake and other Necklace Valley Lakes is through Necklace Valley Trail #1062.

Pagosa springs

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.

Rio Blanco

Rio Blanco is a stream that is tributary of the San Juan River in southern Colorado, United States. The stream originates in the San Juan Mountains and flows for 30 miles through the San Juan National Forest and private lands to its confluence with the San Juan River in Archuleta County, Colorado.The river also features native cutthroat trout and introduced rainbow trout fishing.

San Juan River Walk

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.

West Fork San Juan River

West Fork San Juan River is a tributary of the San Juan River in southern Colorado in the United States. The stream flows from a source near South River Peak in Mineral County to a confluence with the East Fork San Juan River in Archuleta County that forms the San Juan River.

Map of Lake/ River/ Ponds to explore in Archuleta County