Pagosa Springs, CO – Anyone looking for outdoor recreational trails close to the town of Pagosa Springs will not have to look very far to find two great multi-use trail systems. Reservoir Hill Park and the Turkey Springs Trail System are less than 5 miles from downtown.
Reservoir Hill Park
With access points off of Hot Springs Blvd and behind the San Juan Motel, Reservoir Hill Park is an outdoor treasure located in town. Locals and visitors alike enjoy hiking, mountain biking, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing on the many trails traversing the hill. Look for the wood sculptures scattered on the hill, try your hand at disc golf, search for the endangered Pagosa Skyrocket, or enjoy the music festivals held in the meadow. Parking is available by Town Park off of San Juan Street and at the trailhead behind the Healing Waters.
A map of the Reservoir Hill Park trails
Outskirts of Pagosa Springs & the San Juan Mountains
We enjoyed hiking up Reservoir Hill to the scenic overlook gazebo which offers great views of the town of Pagosa Springs nestled in the surrounding San Juan Mountains. We headed quickly uphill using the super steep “Bird On a WIre” Trail. We then continued uphill on the service access road. We made a loop for our return using the Wapiti Trail and took some time to check out the disc golf course.
Bird on a Wire Trail is very steep
Mike climbs the Bird on a Wire Trail
The Disc Golf Course map
The San Juan Mountains, Route 160 and the San Juan River from Reservoir Hill Park
Turkey Springs Trail System
The Turkey Springs Trail System, managed by the San Juan National Forest, consists of 14 interconnected single-track non-motorized routes, providing more than 30 miles of trail to mountain bike/hike. Numerous loops originating from several different trailheads in the Turkey Springs, Brockover Mesa, and Martinez Creek areas offer a variety of options from which to choose. Graveled forest roads and ATV trails provide additional connectivity and loop options, creating a system in which one may ride for one hour or 12 hours without duplicating routes. Directions: From Pagosa Springs, go 5 miles northwest on CR 600 (Piedra Road), then southwest 3 miles on FS 629 to trailhead.
Turkey Springs Trail System map
This mountain bike trail system is open to all non-motorized uses, and is popular with hikers, horseback riders, and runners. Pets are permitted on all trails and will be frequently encountered. Consequently, appropriate caution and consideration of other users and use types should be exercised while riding these trails. Several motorized trails and roads bisect the area, which are also open to non-motorized users.
We hiked at Reservoir Hill Park and Turkey Springs while staying at the Wolf Creek Run Motor Coach Resort in Pagosa Springs Colorado. While staying in Pagosa Springs, we also hiked on the Continental Divide Trail at Wolf Creek Pass, hiked to Flattop Saddle, toured the East Fork Road Area, visited Treasure Falls & Treasure Mountain, and drove a 100+mile scenic loop through the Rio Grande National Forest.
