San Juan National Forest Reviews

Very nice area of the state. We drove thru the forest many times during our journey in the state. Lots of trees and sites to see.

the sights are breath-taking - you will not be disappointed and you will probably want to come back.

The scenery is diverse and beautiful. Lots of winding road, I would hate to try and drive during the winter.

The San Juan is so vast and varied that it defies description. We have driven through several parts and have been astonished at the variety of terrain. From rich, lush vegetation to dry desert, this is a real jewel of a national park.

Gorgeous! Can drive about 7-8 miles on a dirt road with all-wheel drive, but to continue need 4 wheel drive because the road gets fairly rocky.

Great August Hike with friends
Awesome scenery and well marked trail system.
Can't wait to get back again

Great scenery: rocks, trees, and streams. It was great to see a national forest not being denuded by logging activities; we only witnessed one log truck during our entire day's visit.

It was beautiful to say the least being we went during the Fall Foliage time of the year. Everywhere we drove was beautiful with the changing leaves. We saw some dear and would love to come back to the area in the future.

Bit of a cheat of a review, in that I just drove through the forest and really enjoyed the scenery. However, it is obvious from the reviews that the best thing to do is to get off the straight and narrow and go exploring. The scenery is wonderful.

San Juan National Forest is gorgeous and very large. The Animas River runs through the mountains and is viewable from both Hwy 550 and the Durango-Silverton Train. Mountains are magnificent & worth the trip. We took some back roads up into the mountains. Just spectacular.

A gorgeous National Forest with plenty of deer, elk and bear. The scenery is beautiful. We just drove through it and enjoyed the majesty of it all.

Access San Juan National Forest heading north out of Durango, Colorado, Hwy 550, better known as the Million Dollar Highway. A couple of tips. Check the weather as it changes quickly at +10,000 feet; avoid the weekends during high season; take your time, enjoy the scenery, plan at least 3-5 days to take it all in...

A drive everyone should experience. Just stunning. You cross the Continental Divide with detailed information.

Took us 3 hours to hike the trail around Chris Park campground and Havilland Lake via the Miners Trace Trail. The trail was a little strenuous for my 12 year old and for myself, but was well worth it. We explored a limestone cave, found evidence of an old mine and a beautiful waterfall. There is an option for horseback riding to cave and kayaking at lake.

No matter what your preference, this offers a place to bike, hike, take a horseback ride and generally relish the outdoor beauty of Durango. Any time of year, there is something for everyone!

Lots of beautiful waterfalls and hikes. Its also possible to take guided jeep tours. They help you spot wildlife and can direct you to hiking trails.

The views and the art work of God within the Forest is amazing. We were able to drive back and forth - this way and that way - never seeing the same view. The wild flowers, while small seemed to be sparkles of color throughout the area and bring new life to the huge rocks and mountains. It is well worth your time to drive and stop at several of the points of interest to just gaze into the beauty.

.......Quite possibly! Love hanging out in Southwest Colorado in the summer. Hiking, biking, rafting, fishing and so much of it above 8,000 feet!

Stunning mountain and valley views, Saw some wildlife deer, beaver and mountain goats. Saw a couple of old mining sites.

We really enjoyed this National Forest's scenery and unspoiled feel of the mountains/trees. It's well worth the drive... take the view turnouts for photo opportunities.

The San Juan National Forest in the Durango area has so many beautiful Lakes and Mountains. Loved the trees and flowers.

The Forrest was beautiful, green and the water was cool and fresh. Colorado at this time of year is beautiful.

San Juan National Forrest has NUMEROUS access sites for hiking, off-roading and various other activities. It is truly one of the USA’s treasures! We wish we hadn’t waited so long to enjoy it, and can’t wait to return.

If you take state route 124 you will end up at Hesperius Pass. The drive is breath taking. You will need four wheel drive to get to the top of the pass. The round trip took 4 hours with time to eat and stop to take pictures

Great drive. It Takes a while but it offered wonderful sights. The road is good with lots of curves as expected. We spent no time in the tourist tons of Silverton, Ouray and Ridgeway. Take your time and enjoy it; pull over often to let others by while savoring the views. Don't miss the waterfalls at Bear Creek.

This is such a beautiful region of an incredibly beautiful state. There are so many beautiful highways and little towns. And there’s so much I missed being pressed for time!

The elevation is a lot to overcome if you have difficulty catching your breath. I, therefore, stuck to riding in the car. The different types of trees break up what you can see from the road. I'm glad that the road splits the park. Looking down the edges were frightening but so worth it.

Spent 6 days in the backcountry. Was one of the best experiences of my life. The landscapes were outstanding. Trails were well kept and I remain in awe of its beauty. Would highly recommend exploring this area. The lakes on a sunny day have the most beautiful reflections!

Nothing compares to these amazing jagged peaks and wildlife! Go explore this beautiful area, take the scenic drives, well worth it!

Majestic mountains and views at each turn, with abundant streams, lakes, and wildlife. All seasons are beautiful here!

We drove the highway from Durango to Sliverton and then on to Ouray - what a drive! The views are amazing. The San Juan National Forest is beautiful. Some white-knuckle driving for sure (being a Florida flat-lander) but well worth it. There are some amazing hikes in there.

The San Juan range, an absolute favorite! Dramatic, jagged peaks as far as you can see, even better in the winter when snow covered. Over the course of almost 10 years we have only explored a fraction of what these beauties have to offer!

Absolutely gorgeous from the train! We saw rafters on the wild river and the train stopped several times to drop off or pick up hikers.

Highly recommend - all you spend is gas for a top notch view with views you can't pay enough for. The twist and turns and beautiful scenery is top notch

Drove through San Juan National Forest. Beautiful. Spotted a few of natures creatures out and about. The river and the abundance of trees is breathtaking. Some of the Aspens were already turning lighting up the forest with color. Well worth the time to adventure through!

Originally I wanted to take the train from Durango to Silverton but after reading reviews of how long the train trip takes plus the cost we drove the Million Dollar Highway. It was AMAZING! The views are spectacular! There was still snow on the ground and we saw so much wildlife, beautiful waterfalls and snowcapped mountains. There's plenty of areas to pull off. The drive is scary with no guard rails but just take your time and you end up in the little town surrounded by the mountains of Silverton. The drive took about 2 hours RT.

Went through the National Forest on the Durango Silverton train. It is a beautiful forest with lots of lovely plants and flowers to look at.

We spend a couple months annually near this forest. We've been through this forest many times in past two years on day excursions. We actually had sleet this week while exploring.
Peaceful and beautiful. There are dry camp all over this forest. Some access is best using 4wd. They allow ATVs, too. Roads are mostly kept in good repair.
There has been many varieties of floral and fauna and now fall is on us we are seeing different wildflowers all through the forest. There is a hint of the trees beginning to change colors. Pretty.
One sad comment. The Pine Beetles are districting this beautiful forest. But we are seeing now Aspens growing sine they are getting more sun from the thousands of pines that are dead, fallen, or not quite dead yet. Very sad!!!
The Riverbend RV Resort where we stay paid approximately $10k to spray their trees in hopes the pine beetles don't kill them.

San Juan National Forest is a beautiful meditative forest with the wild and wonderful Animas River running through the area we enjoyed!

Anything anywhere in Colorado has great beauty, and the San Juan National Forest is no exception. There are waterfalls, river rafting, and plenty of hiking trails for all ages.

The drive from Durango to Ouray and beyond is on the highway that takes you into the San Juan National Forest. This drive is breathtaking and is a must when your visiting in this area!

Be ready to take hundreds of pictures, because the views are all different and include everything from lakes, to mountains to crevasses, to natural castles on the tops of mountains.

We drove almost the entire San Juan Scenic Byway. Breathtaking views with plenty of spots to pull over. Snow-capped mountains, aspen gold, abandoned mines. Just gorgeous.

Some of the best scenery and roadways ever. The mountains, vegetation, and wildlife make you glad to be an American living here.

Left Durango and drove up to the ski lodge then continued to Silverton and just loved it. Great views and lots to see. Would be great in the Fall as the Aspens turn.

This is such a beautiful area. Be sure to take a drive north from Durango on highway 550 to at least Silverton. Even better, drive to Ouray. They don't call 550 the Million Dollar Highway for nothing!

I have hiked in a number of different areas of the San Juan National Forest. This particular one is accessed via a neighborhood. Be sure to go straight and not right which will take you onto private land.

Get yourself out of the huddle bussle and walk on trails in peace and quiet.... Lots of choices... Some near creeks that are great to hike especially if you have a dog . Some trails are for off road bikes as well as some horse trails... Variety of awesome views the higher up you climb.

Amazing hike, you don't have to go all the way to the summit of engineer mountain for a great hike with wildflowers everywhere. Lots of switchbacks, not too steep, very doable.

We drove through this forest and stayed for a short while whilst in CO.
What can i say apart from absolutely outstanding vistas.
There are numerous walks and trails to follow and there are things available for all the family to enjoy.
There are so many beautiful things to see here you really would be a fool to miss it if you are in the area.
There are many beautiful places in the USA but this is one of the best in my opinion.
Don't forget your camera because you will regret not getting some great photos from here.

We were in a rented "cabin". I use this term loosely as the cabin was larger than our house and was filled with all you could ever want! It abutted the San Juan National Forest. This forest is so large! And it is just breathtaking in places. Just was over awed by it.

We traveled through the forest first by car and then a couple days later by train, the two perspective where significant, each had its own unique sights to experience

We took the steam train into the San Juan forest one day. Another we drove the Million Dollar Skyway. And we hiked a third day. Loved the whole experience. Lovely place, lovely space.

I had the opportunity to spend 5 months in and around the San Juan National Forest and it was a blast both in summer and in winter. During the summer this place offers amazing views of some big mountains, great hikes, climbing, mountain biking, kayaking and more. In winter the only thing I got to enjoy is the slopes and some snowshoeing, but I've had friends go snowmobiling, ice climbing and much more. This place is great for anyone outdoorsy.

Just sent a week in two towns around the SJNF so much to do hiking and jeeping was our thing. The most amazing trails out there. The million dollar highway is worth a drive in its self. A lot of history out there, Ute Indian tribe, miners, railroad men, and the settlers of the early years.

San Juan National Forest entrance in the southern part of town. The office is in the Durango Tech Center, and has access to trails, some that go into Overland Mountain Park and past the cemetery. Please please pack-in and pack-out, always! The forests are easily taken over by trash and left behind food and it makes life a struggle for the animals. This rule applies to all hiking and camping. 😀

I can honestly say if I could choose to live anywhere, it would be near the amazing San Juans. The camping in this national forest is excellent! Beautiful, varied campgrounds. Amazing hiking and biking opportunities, and even a train ride opportunity to see the beauty (Durango Narrow Gage Rail). Best thing is this forest is never crowded like some of the national parks.

"Land of many uses" Beautiful area near Durango, Purgatory, Silverton, Ouray. Abundant 4x4 trails, hiking, many lakes, fishing in the natural beauty of the mountains

This area begins just North of Durango and includes an amazing amount of sublime natural beauty. There are great drives, camping areas, and the Durango-Silverton Railroad winds through it.
If you have enjoyed scenic mountain drives in SW Colorado, like the Million Dollar Highway you have been here.

The San Juan Forest is absolutely beautiful for either a day's drive about or an extended stay. There are wonderful campgrounds, lakes, rivers, forests, hiking and biking trails, and the Million Dollar Highway. Close by is Mesa Verde, Trail of the Ancients, or Ouray and Silverton. It's absolutely beautiful in all seasons! We camp there every summer! If shopping is your thing then Durango, Silverton and Telluride will keep you busy and happy. All have lots of wonderful shops, galleries, and restaurants.If you live south of Colorado, it's everything beautiful Colorado in the southwest corner of the state.

We hiked in the San Juan Forest using the Lower Hermosa Creek Trail and really enjoyed the views, there were minimal people on the trail, and flowers were popping out.

we are spending ten days in Durango, and driving iNot the San Juan several times, it's beauty is breathtaking..we have done a few hikes, starting with Upper West Lime Creek Trail, a gorgeous and fairly easy first hike. We also had a lovely picnic on Molas Lake after another hike, it's all just gorgeous! Just go!

We drove through and went snowmobiling it is beautiful. I am looking forward to coming back in the summer to see the flowers and trees all bloomed out.

Although there wasn't any snow when we visited, it was still beautiful. The Animas river runs through the forest and the scenery is just beautiful. I want to return during the summer and spend more time there.

Beautiful scenery especially when you are driving on the interstate. So plush.Really and truly Gods Country!

Enjoy the drive while see the mountains that stand 14,000 feet with snow on them. Hike trails are nice with the waterfalls.

Lovely scenic drive through the San Juan National Forest... even in winter. I can only imagine how beautiful it must be in summertime.

The greatest place in the world.... thanks to Saint John whos name it bears! Beautiful animals, trees, and rocks, and more!

We rented a RZR ATV out of Silverton and it was so much fun that we're going back with other friends in a few days!

My wife and I are avid nature lovers We live in Michigan where the land is rather flat so we enjoy the verticalness of mountain vistas.

This National Forest is huge, well kept and absolutely breath taking in most points. Thank fully , it is being cared for in an excellent fashion for more people to enjoy, hike or do other activities.

For me, San Juan National Forest is a "true hidden gem" of Colorado. I come here every time I get a chance.

Lots of fun forest activities for all ages! especially nice in the spring, summer, winter and fall!!!

Easy access to variety of locations for hiking and camping available. Area around Vallecito Lake has multiple camp sites.

Beautiful scenery and great driving trails. Lots of great spots for picnics and exploring. Great for kids.

We saw some beautiful waterfalls just off of the road up to Kenabec Pass. We had a great time using the 4X4 on the truck into the mountains. We saw plenty of wildlife, marmots, beavers, mule deer. Short hikes close to the road were even nice.

If you love spending time in the mountains this is the place. There are tons off road trails you can climb above timberline.

We had a lovely afternoon at this National Forest. There are so many beautiful Alpine trees. Lovely walks. We took lots of photos.

Once you are leaving Rockwood you will see this sign on the right. Just after that the train will be on the cliffs over the Las Animus River. Check out Tall Timbers Zip lines on your next stop. 27 Ziplines with many going over the Las Animus River. Enjoy a Gourmet lunch and Zip from 10am to 4pm

Beautiful drive!We had started the day from Glenwood Springs driving to Ouray and over the mountains to Silverton and then on to Durango via the San Juan Skyway.Very scary at some places!!Definately a drive to recommend!

Breathtaking Scenery. Drove the San Juan Skyway on Saturday 7/16/16. Pack a lunch and eat along the roadside. There are many roads accessible with your private car or 2wd pickup.

We rode thru on the Durango - Silverton train. Such beautiful and clean nature - the air so crisp! We will be back to do some hikes here for sure!

Beautiful, peaceful! What a nice place to relax or just drive around, hike and enjoy nature. Moved out 4 years ago and love it.

Nothing compares to the Rockies, we live near the Appalachians which are also beautiful but the Rockies are just majestic,

We spent the day driving from Durango to Silverton to Ouray to Rideway Telluride etc. that looped back to Durango. We had lunch in Ouray at a nice little spot on the Main Street. The scenery on the drive was very nice and it was a pleasant and relaxing drive. It took most of the day.

Even though it was a rainy day, the fall colors are so worth the trip. Head out 160 and turn right at Kennebec cafe. Driving back there is so beautiful

On our drive from Durango to Glenwood Springs, the scenery is spectacular all along the way. The drive through the mountains from Durango to Ouray is harrowing at times. Lots of switchbacks, steep grades and sheer drop offs, some without guardrails. Once you're out of the mountain passes and into the valley at Ridgeway, the drive to Glenwood Springs is much easier and the scenery remains spectacular.

We did this in the winter so it was a bit scary drive but the views are amazing! The twisty roads and gorgeous scenery make me wish we lived closer so could visit more often.

Went exploring up around the Vallecito Lake area. Nice ride - saw some wildlife and some nice scenery.

The San Juan Mountains are extraordinary regardless of the time of year! It is one of the most beautiful areas I have ever visited and hiked in. A must for everyone's bucket list!

Our group went off-roading with our 4Runner and hiking here two days. Spectacular views! Wish we would have had more time to explore this area. The sunrise the one day was gorgeous, and the stop off area where there was benches and hiking loop was good for everyone, from 2 year old to 66 year old to walk around on.

The colors were beautiful and the clear blue sky made for a majestic day of travel. You could not help but say Beautiful Colorado.

The San Juan is a HUGE expanse of area. To review it would take a guide book. Suffice it to say, it is very worth visiting and plan well.

Top 3 miles has been banned from 4 wheeler traffic because the Forest Dept. will not maintain Road so they just closed it. At nearly 60 years old, I will never be able to share the lookout with my grandchildren or their children. The funds alloted for road improvements in this forest all ends up in Park County to the tune of over 30 to 1. Not right. I notice mountain bikers everywhere and motorized trails closed.

Tread lightly take only photos, leave only good will and good thoughts, pack out all your trash please.

Best way to see this place is on a Motorcycle because you not only get the sights
You also get all the smells of the woods Trees and Plants
Riding thru here
Made me fall in Love with Colorado
Early mornings are a bit chilly on the Motorcycle but with a Hoodie it is amazing
We went both ways acrossed the mountain
Love at first sight

Most scenic drive in the state from Montrose to Durango! Stop in Ouray for a couple hours, it is western darling! Take in the MAJOR views along the highway, then stay at the Country Sunshine B&B in Durango. A 10!

The drive to Silverton was amazing. Early May, before the tourist season, made for no traffic on the highways. It was easy to get off and on to the highway from turnoffs. There were many wonderful opportunities to photograpy the beauty of the area.

Simply some of the best hiking in the prettiest mountains. We loved the weather, the surroundings, the river, the views.. all was spectacular

We have been blessed to have family in Durango and have visited many, many times and I can tell you we never get tired of the San Juan National Forest.

This proved to be another highlight of our "Great Drives"in Colorado, takingin Silverton, Ouray, Ridgeway, Telluride,Rico, Dolores,Mancos,Hesperus and back to Durango, a 232 mile loop with a highlight beingRed Mountain Pass at 11,075 feet as snow fell.The arrival of the narrow gauge train at Silverton was quite special, as it also snowed.

The views are excellent. It was worth the trip. We enjoyed the forestry surrounded by the mountains. It was cooler here than in town. If you want nature this is where to go.

The National Forest drive is one of pure enjoyment. There are many areas to stop and view nature at it's finest.

We packed a picnic basket and enjoyed lunch while watching deer frolic near us.

Take your time, it is well worth it.

It is always a great trip to ride the loop. See all of the cities along the way, Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, Cortez, Mancos!

When you think of the beautiful rocky mountains, don't you automatically think Colorado? Well, I do, and coming from Arizona, up through New Mexico, I was really glad to leave the desert and enjoy the beauty of the mountains and the forest. What was even better, we happened to be there in the fall and the colors were remarkable.

I was in Durango for work and drive up through the forest. It's a great drive and I even saw a ram licking salt in the center of the road. The roads are well maintained so it's not that hard of a mountain drive.

The San Juan mountains and forest offer great views of the west.
We enjoyed traveling through. At one overlook, a group of us watched a black bear eating berries on a slope for about 30 minutes. We were lucky to be at the right place at the right time.

I live 20 minutes from the San Juan national forest and grew up in the magnificent area surrounding Durango Colorado. If you get the chance you need to experience the stunning beauty of this part of Colorado. From gurgling small mountain streams to the full roar of the Animas river in the spring runoff this area offers everyone a taste of nature and all it's splendor! From wonderful powder skiing in the winter to magnificent color of fall and all the fun summer can contain it is truly heaven on earth! That's really how the people that live here feel!

While driving from Ouray to Durango you pass through San Juan National Forest. The views of the mountains and trees are what you think of when you think Colorado. There is much to do in the area from hiking, riding the train, skiing, sightseeing and much more. Just beautiful!

This was our 5th trip to Colorado. We have driven thru and did minimal hiking at several trails we passed along the way. Nothing more beautiful and inspiring than to see this area in the different seasons. We missed most of the changing of the leaves by about three weeks so we're planning another trip next year a little earlier.

We happened upon this scenic national forest on our way back home coming from Utah. It was the most beautiful drive. Clean, cool, fresh air and tons to see. Loved every minute of it.

The San Juan Nation Forest was a great place to drive through. We were able to enjoy the time driving through the area and loved the scenery.

The views in this national forest are just breathtaking and the birds and wildlife are amazing! We saw a huge mule deer buck, too! Go visit this beautiful national treasure!!

I love driving through national forests as you can see no manmade anything! So peaceful in the forest - too bad we didn't see any wildlife.

Drove the "Million Dollar Highway from Durango, Colorado . very beautiful scenery. loved every mile of the trip. Well worth the time it took to travel the road.

i've visited the san juan forest all of my adult life and am never disappointed. i rate it higher because it has everything you would want but most importantly, not near as many crowds.

Around every corner is a great view. It is constantly changing and your eyes will get tired from looking.

The San Juan is becoming a favorite place for a summer getaway. These mountains are beautiful. Great afternoon showers, cool evening temps, and sunny days in the 70's....perfect for outdoor activities.

This ride is VERY long! I like trips that are about 1-2 hours. It is a beautiful journey up, but I could not ride the train both ways. I recommend the bus coming back.

Yes, I have to fess up. That was me driving around the forest today real slow. And pulling over at every chance I had to take more pictures and enjoy the views. I hope others enjoyed what my bride and I did. The rocks in the area are colorful. The forest is dense. Sorry about my speed. Look out for me on Tuesday. We are coming back.

driving thru this wonderland of scenery is beyond words.....we took a ton of pics and I'm sure they won't do what we could see any justice

If you and your family have not traveled the roads through the San Juan National Forest, you have missed some of the most spectacular scenery in America! We were lucky enough to see the mountains this time still dressed in their sparkling winter white, while the temperature in the valleys remained on the 60's and 70's. While their is construction on the "Million Dollar Highway between Silverton and Ouray, the amazing display of mountains around each bend was worth the wait. The trip between Ouray and Telluride should not be missed! Trust me, if the mountains are calling you! This is where you need to go!

While our route did not take us deep into the San Juan, we were certainly impressed with what we did see on the north end. We visited the southern end several years ago, but I have to say that the approach from Montrose, looking toward the Telluride area, was one of the most impressive views of a mountain range I have ever seen.

The campground that we go to has very nice toilets and there is a campground host by a vendor that takes great care of the campground above Lemon Resevior and it is quit most of time and great views.

fantastic scenery on drive through the forest on way to rocky mountain national park. leaves were in full fall colors and was a sight to behold.

Too warm for elk in October, but mule deer were out. Always stunning scenery and enjoyable to visit again.

We drove from Aspen to Montrose on highway 133 a day after 10" of snow and it was spectacular. The roads were clear of ice and snow but the scenery was very dramatic. Lucky for me the Kezmeister is a terrific way driver as my Maggie Simpson steering wheel and breaks didn't work on the passenger side looking down at sheer drops. The next day was from Montrose to Ridgeway and did a quick side trip to check out the Telluride ski area then onto Durango via Ouray and Silverton. More Maggie Simpson moments but so worth it with old mines and equipment littering the mountains outlined against the snow and dramatic icicles. Saw a Kyotee in a field which makes 3 for this trip. We lurrrrve the back country in gold old US of A 😍😍😍

Unless you're experienced and patient driving on snow packed roads, this drive is not recommended. If you are, during snow storms its 150 miles from Santa Fe to Pagosa Springs on Highway 84. 30 miles an hour on snow packed roads. FOUR hour drive. In dry conditions a beautiful 3 hour drive.

Beautiful Forest more or Less 20 minutes by car from durango downtown. There are lost of trail for trekking or running. When I was there some days ago there was only a little of snow. Do not miss a walk to the electra lake, not far from the Forest.

We spent several days in this area. The scenery is majestic. Lots to do here, jeeping, river rafting, panning for gold, fishing, riding the train, camping...

What a beautiful ride in the San Juan Mountains. Our journey began in Durango, CO, with the beautiful trees along the route. The bright yellow leaves mixed with the reds and greens were just striking. The mountains faces were so unique as we climbed in elevation. The different color granites were just breathtaking. We made many stops to examine the area and take photos of the majestic scenery.

The Weminuche Wilderness is the largest so-protected are in the country. Stereotypically spectacular in any season, but worth a road trip for mid-September colors.

I definitely recommend going here, this place has some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen!!! I took so many pictures that I overloaded my phone I loved everything here!

I had never heard of San Juan National Forest until visiting Durango. We only got to hike on 2 trails during our 2 full days in Durango, but the national forest did not disappoint. Purgatory Flats (also known as Purgatory Creek) was a great hike. I would love to return & hike more in this forest. This makes me thankful to the U.S. government for creating our national forests!

This forest is behind the area we stayed in, and we have hiked here often. Looking for unspoiled land covered in trees with the rapid Animas River below? This is nature at its best, so quiet and peaceful- it restores your soul.

The San Juan National Forest is a great area to drive through, to visit, and yes, even to live in... as I do live north of Durango and live in this area. Every season offers a variety of colors and views. Love it. Please enjoy our Forest area and respect the land and animals... and please - Do Not Litter! Thanks and enjoy your visit.

This is a great place to hike and camp. Can't beat the views. Trails range from footpaths to rugged and difficult. Something for everyone.

My husband and I were amazed at how beautiful it is .
I kept thinking ,how can I find a way to live here ! Lol
I saw what a AWESOME Creator we have !
We were taking pictures constantly .
It's a MUST see .

The San Juan National Forest was considered for designation as the Rocky Mountain National Park, but was not selected due to lack of road access -- or so I'm told. But lack of road access is still the case. So the best way to see it is by the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway that runs from Durango to Siverton daily in warm weather months, and from Durango to Cascade Canyon in the winter. By road, it is pleasant about half way from Durango to Silverton, but the road is more problematic on the last half of this drive.And from Silverton to Ouray, the road is outright dangerous, even in the summer.Too much narrow two lane roadway with a 1,000 foot drop off one side or another.But in any event, this National Forest is indeed something to see and not be missed.

Norwood Colorado has some of the best camping areas. If your looking to get away from traditional camping there are plenty of choices available, within a ten min.drive of town just ask a local when you get there..

We stayed two nights in Durango and one of our excursion was: half day Jeep tour at San Juan National Forest. The tour was pleasant and nice, we could even spot some animals like grey fox, deer, crowd and a black bear in distance but I think the price is too much expensive for what you have. I think that a reasonable price should be $150 and not $300.

Drove through the San Juan National forest during our tour of Colorado. Loved the views of mountains, canyons, and flowing rivers/streams (living in Tucson I seldom see water flowing in our streams/rivers). Very relaxing drive.

Wonderful ride through nature. On our way to Montrose we drove through the San Juan National Forest and were pleased and the sights. Wonderful place.

As frequent campers, we see many, many campsites throughout the state. San Juan National Forest offers the best in camping. Highly recommended for de-stress and getting back to nature. A must for anyone.

A wonderful part of the world with lots of options for hiking and camping. There are busy or quitter trails depending on what you want plus step or easy....so much to chose from :-)

Was riding the DSNGRR, Takes you right through the Canyon, A wonderful Ride and Beautiful Scenery. Enjoy

Millions of acres of pristine forest. Rivers, creeks, secret hot springs, great hiking trails, high country views, dense forests, wildlife, mushrooms, berries, fishing, four wheeling, rocks, ponds, etc, etc, etc. If you like the outdoors, you will enjoy the San Juan.

This is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Leave time to stop and enjoy the views, and poke around the little towns along the way. Be aware that the hight altitude may affect you physically, and drive carefully.

I actually live in this forrest, what more can I say other than "Beautiful". A must see bucket-list trip.

Plenty of aspen in the area to make this a colorful area to visit for fall colors. We experienced blue sky and sunshine most of the time. But also a day when a front rolled in with sun shining on dark clouds and lightening rolling in changing to rain and short spell of hell in the lower elevations and snow in the higher elevations and passes.

We drive from Ouray to Durango on Route 550 aka The Million Dollar Highway through theses mountains and loved every minute. There are plenty of pull over spots and we took advantage of each one to take photos and listen to the sounds of trickling stream runoff, birds chirping, and heavenly quiet.

Wow! What an area! At the end of Vallecito Reservoir beyond the campground is the Trail. It goes along Vallecito Creek and into the Weminuche Wilderness. We hiked the trail to the second bridge (the first bridge being near the campground), a distance of about three miles (six miles roundtrip). We didn't expect it, but the Aspen and other foliage were in full Fall colors. Just amazing. And the valley we hiked up was spectacular.

Oh, and the trail. Well . . . it wasn't overly arduous. Not too steep. But rocks EVERYWHERE! Watching, climbing, tripping over, rocks made the hike a bit tedious. But in the end, the beauty of the area is well worth the hike.

There are photo shoots from every twist and turn in the road! We saw it from the Train from Durango to Silverton and also traveling down the highway! Stunning stunning views! My most favorite part of the trip! Breathtaking!

I can't say enough of the beauty and serenity of the forest. I used to live near Vallecito Lake and less than a mile from the Natl Forest entrance and the area will always be a gem to me.

San Juan National Forest
The San Juan National Forest is a beautiful forest that include quaint towns like Ouray, Silverton and Telluride. Highway 145 and US-550 cut through the forest north/south. There are multiple mountain passes on those roads. I could see where avalanches rolled down the mountain and crossed the road. In addition to lots of hiking trails, there are several parks and points of interest along the two major roads. Pinkerton Hot Springs is right along US-550. There is road side parking and there is no charge. Haviland Lake is less than a one off US-550. There is free parking before entering the campground. The lake is beautiful and there is lot of wildlife. Of course, Ouray, Silverton and Telluride are fun to tour. Ouray is my favorite because of Box Canyon Falls, the county hot springs, Cascade Falls, views and more reasonable accommodations. I can easily spend a week vacationing in San Juan National Forest.

made the trip at the height of seeing unbelievable colors of aspen, pines, etc. the sheer volume and grandeur was breathtaking, so much more than anticipated.

We drove from Durango to Silverton on a beautiful fall morning. Fall colors were showing in some areas. A road with many curves, ups and downs with enjoyable views.

It was snowing when we got to the entrance of Havilland Lake, 18 miles north of Durango on highway 550. The view is fantastic in winter, I suppose in summer is better. We stayed for a while, to take pictures and throw rocks to the frozen lake. Beautiful place!

There are sweeping views in every direction as you drive or walk through this place. Incredible beautiful and highly recommended!

We drove through this Forest on our San Juan Skyway drive . The Forest is gorgeous , has trails for hiking , and some really pretty scenery to enjoy . A lovely spot and a good stop on our route .

We decided to drive from Durango to Ouray so my son and husband could take pictures along the way. We were in constant awe of the beauty of that drive. We hiked the Box Canyon trail. That was very impressive. We took the higher trail then went on the lower one as well.

This is one of my favorite places to go. I never get bored coming here. Beautiful scenery, majestic mountain peaks and beautiful lakes and pull overs to enjoy the magnificent scenery. The roads are very well maintained and you have access to several camping, hiking and fishing areas along the lakes.

Anytime you can get to the forest to renew your spirit I highly recommend it! What a peaceful and serene place to recenter and find your Self again.

Beautiful scenery. Great place to spend some time. We stayed in a cabin that was near the national forest. It was beautiful and nice waking up to the mountains.

Clean and always felt safe. Camped for 4 days and 3 nights at the camp site where we took our son years ago. He took the opportunity to propose to his girlfriend on this trip. Very fond memories.

We drove through the San Juan forest and mountains and were amazed at the wonderful views.This day, there were amazing puffy clouds which added to the spectical.

This is an absolutely amazing drive through the National Forest! Take your time driving and taking in the views. We drove this from Purgatory up to Ouray. No rails. On the way back, we stopped in Silverton for a late lunch at Handlebars and the atmosphere and food were wonderful.

We traveled by car through most of the forest. It is beautiful at every turn. We took the mild and wild keep tour for half a day. The sites on the keep tour and the guide were exceptional. Great beautiful place to visit.

This area is simply breathtaking. One of our favorite spots is Lake Haviland - views are incredible and a very good area to picnic.

Drove through and walked a bit in this lovely forest. We were there during the peak fall colors and it was amazing.

I visited last weeked on New year, the national forest was complete WHITE OUT! It There were breathtaking scenic views that its worth the drive.

We spent a week visiting several cities in and around the San Juans and absolutely loved our time here. Not nearly as crowded as other parks in Colorado and so beautiful. We loved it. Definitely recommend it to anyone in the area.

We walked a small part of the Colorado Trail. It is beautiful but you need to get climetized to the hights of 3-4000 meters a.s.l.
We haven't really eithin the 6 days walk. Also miles are longer... You know it on xour head but it takes walking uphill to really understand the difference between 10 and 15 miles.
One more thing that surprised me was the huge quantity and selction wildlife.

This mountain range is so underrated just about 20 miles outside of Durango. We have only visited in March but I imagine it is just as spectacular in the summer. Do yourself a favor and go, there is so much to do there and the people are friendly. If I had a enough money I would seriously consider buying a condo or cabin in this area.

Drive the Million Dollar Highway!!! Beautiful scenery!! We didnt have much snow the week we visited and luckily, the road was open. Gorgeous drive from Silverton to Ouray!!

My wife and I are "Vintage Hikers." In our mid-70's we do not cover the number of miles we once did but we are still good for a day hike. The San Juan National Forest offered us many good choices for pleasant strolls. If you are not a "Vintage Hiker" you will find all the challenge and adventure you want in these mountains and forests..

One of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Hope to keep coming back year after year. The views are to die for!! Cant't wait to visit in the fall.

Driving by motorcycles through this beautiful National Forest! Great hiking and can't beat the views.

Don’t stick to the main trails everyone else uses... with a bit of research you can really get off the beaten track!

We did the Jeep tour with the company Mild to Wild. Was an awesome time going up the mountain. When we go to La Plata Canyon the kids made a snow man!

From Telluride to Durango to Montrose the San Juan Mtns have been amazing. A coat of fresh snow makes them seem quite unreal ---- wow

The San Juan National Forest covers 1.8 million acres in the southwestern corner of Colorado and contains such spectacular scenery that parts of it are called the Switzerland of the Rockies. With the interesting historic mining towns, camping, hiking, back country trails, hot springs, waterfalls and much more, you could spend weeks exploring this National Forest.
An easy way the see some of this beautiful National Park is to drive the Million Dollar Highway (U.S. Highway 550) between Montrose and Durango, which is part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway. A highlight of this drive is the Red Mountain Pass section between Ouray and Silverton. There are many scenic pull-outs along the road and many great hiking trails that start at or near the highway.

Another fantastic place in the National Park Service. Keep your eyes open for wildlife. The scenery is beautiful.

This is a beautiful forest with gorgeous views around every curve so take an extra memory card and enjoy.

The hike up from the Coal Bank Pass trail parking to Engineer Basin made for a great outing with friends visiting from out of state. The wildflowers weren't in peak bloom but there were plenty to take in. The trail is relatively easy though steep at times, with an overall elevation change of about 1,200 feet. The views of the San Juans did not disappoint.

The San Juan Forest is very pretty. We drove through Delores and Rico on our way to Telluride and it was a easy drive. We enjoyed seeing elk and a wolf on our way through. This is a one in a million dollar drive. Don't miss it.

This is a beautiful area that we enjoyed on the train ride from Silverton. Lots of photo opportunities

This is a beautiful part of the world and we spent 10 days exploring all over, from hiking to fishing to horseback riding. I highly recommend visiting this part of Colorado.

The San Juan National Forest is something you can experience on any level. There are hikes for those who enjoy that and there are also Jeep trails that will take you well into the forest and away from the more heavily traveled roads. We decided to take a Jeep trail and were delighted by the experience. Dense trees, plentiful wildlife, babbling brooks - nature at its finest! A must for anyone traveling through the area.

Pristine, beautiful and serine. There are many words and many ways to describe the San Juan NF and Weminuche Wilderness. Day hike, pack in, fishing, whatever this place has something for every one!!

We first travelled thru by car and then took the train . There were amazing views at every turn. It is especially is beautiful in the fall with all the colors!

The road is in very good shape and winds through the mountains with lots of old mining sites and buildings to see.

Hiked Pass Creek Trail to Engineer Mountain today. Started at 10 a.m. Weather sunny and 64° Beautiful wildflowers. Trail packed dirt; few muddy spots. 5.5 miles round-trip to large rock at base of Engineer Mt. Total time 2.5 hrs...time included snacks and pictures taking. Clouds rolled in after noon so we were off the mountain before monsoon rains hit. Gorgeous hike at this time of year. Parking lot pretty full when we arrived but still found a spot. Met lots of hikers and dogs.

Traveled and stopped along the way in Ludington Vallecito lake. Great views and easy places to pull off for walking and hiking excursions.

There is nothing like this forest! From poderosa pine to Doug Fir to Aspen.and the amazing job that has gone in to fighting fires, protecting people, and saving baby bears. Hats off to all FS employees.

The whole area is just beautiful! I have many pictures and they all turned out great. We didn't see a lot of wildlife but that was probably due to the time of year.

We spent a week at Pine Point campground in September 2016. The campground is located on the shores of Vallecito Reservoir which is 14 miles north of Bayfield Colorado and 22 miles NE of Durango Colorado. The sites are spacious and not closely situated to neighboring sites. Some sites have full lake views and others offer more seclusion. There aren't any electric or sewer hookups. Water and vault toilets are provided. The campground hosts were friendly and knowledgeable about the area. The lake is beautiful, but the water level is low because there hasn't been adequate snowfall the last few years. Hiking trails abound in the area. Try the Vallecito Creek Trail. Be sure to visit Durango and walk around the town. Ride the Durango-Silverton NGR if you have time.

The San Juans offer the beauty of the mountains in a package that few other places have. There is mining history, expansive views, trails for all kinds of travel, extensive hunting and camping, small towns with quaint stores and talented local art, and bigger towns with history and entertainment and fine dining. And don't forget to look for the naturally occurring hot springs and fantastic winter sports opportunities.

This was such a wonderful and unexpectedly pretty drive. We drove during the fall and the colours were just amazing. Not to be missed

Whether by foot, on a mountain bike, or even by car, this is one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world. How can you rate a mountain? With this one, with five stars

Waterfall, wildlife, lakes, hiking and incredible scenery! This is a must do road trip with spectacular views.

Was driving through the area...Had been admiring the San Juans...took a side trip up and into the mountains...Beautiful...stopped and had a bit to eat..very relaxing...wish I had more time

Incredible views between quaint, charming towns, but don't try it unless you are an excellent driver and have nerves of steel.

We drove through SJNF on the San Juan Loop and it was incredible. We did it the last week of September and the colors from the aspen and conifer were spectacular. A local told us it was the best season for color in a while. Any time of the year, the view are breathtaking.

Every turn through this mountain range will give you such a fantastic memory. Every turn is just as enjoyable as the next. As you travel this range stop your vehicle to get out and breath the air and look at the vast valleys and peaks that surround you.

What can I say, I live right in the middle of the best mountain. forest area in Colorado. My family and friends are always amazed that people actually live as well as work in this beautiful part of the world. Locals would like to keep it the best kept secret of Colorado. Winter time brings skiing at numerous resorts as well as extreme skiing for the more adventurous, Natural hot springs abound for the bones that live life to the fullest on the slopes and on the trails of this area. Whether you bike, ski, hike, rock climb or just love the many back country jeep trails, this area has something for everyone. Visit Southwest Colorado and you'll never want to leave. This natural beauty will keep you coming back again and again

Daughter and I hiked from the trailhead in Durango. Bathroom facilities and parking available here. What a beautiful hike along a mountain stream with the Silver Peak mountain in the background. Altitude in Durango is 6800 feet. Wear your light hiking shoes since the trail is a bit rocky- although I wore my cross trainers and did ok in them.

My first return to Colorado as an adult- we loved every minute. We were surprised how close many attractions are, you don't have to go far to see a lot.

We drove Hyw 550 from Durango to Silverton which turned into a breathtaking views of the Rockies. We went during fall when the Aspens were in peak. It was not a hard drive that provided several pull offs that allowed for picture taking and pause to take in the scenes. These drives is what makes Colorado!

Drive this route on a motorbike and you will love it, Any of the main roads that leave Durango are lovely (lucky if you live there)

A bucket list ride for any motorcyclist. Sep-Oct was perfect weather and the colors were outstanding. Riding the San Juan loop was a trip I will do again.

I am an avid hiker, one of my favorite trails is Vallecito Creek trail. It follows the water, with amazing panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, waterfalls, the rushing Vallecito Creek. If you wear good hiking shoes, bring a snack, and plenty of water, you will be in for a great half day hike , or whatever you want to make it. Don't forget your camera !

Even the seasoned Colorado resident who was driving was scared to drive this road in the winter. After we went to the falls it got even scarier because we were sliding around hairpin curves. We figured there had to be a better reason to die that day so we crawled carefully back down through Ouray.

While recently ravaged by fire, this is still a great forest to visit. Tons of great trails. Ice lake is our favorite but there are 100's of great trails in this forest, get out and see them all!

We ride through the San Juan National Forest on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway...the scenery is spectacular and lush - pines, aspens, waterfalls, cliffs, canyons - and if we're lucky enough lots of colors when we ride in the fall...occasionally we are treated to wildlife - deer, bears, rocky mountain sheep...a beautiful place in our wonderful Rocky Mountains...

This is a great drive; probably the most spectacular in the country. The San Juan was closed due to the 416 fire for a few days, but we have hiked some of our favorite spots in the past few days, and things are good. The fire is still active, though, and the smoke is unpredictable. If you have any kind of breathing problems, I would stay away for the foreseeable future.

Bring easily accessible raingear.. be prepared to stop for roadwork late afternoon.. Beautiful area not much damage by the Beetle Kill we are use to on the Front Range.

We have driven through here several times from Durango to Silverton or telluride and what a beautiful place. The views from coal bank pass and molas pass are amazing. As you come down molas pass the Silverton overlook is jaw droppingly beautiful.

This last time through we got to do some hiking around Engineer mountain. What a way to spend the day. As we are from Florida the altitude and dryness were issues but we took our time, brought enough water, and packed enough gear & food to make it an completely enjoyable experience.

We can't wait to return!

There is so much to do in the Durango, CO area, and that includes the San Juan National Forest. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, this is the place to be. The SJNF offers mountain hiking, backpacking, whitewater rafting (late spring and summer), snowshoeing and skiing, camping and general exploring in some of the most beautiful mountain areas in the country! If you're less active, but enjoy mountain scenery, consider visiting this area in mid October when the aspens are in their golden glory -- a photographer's delight!

If you like hiking and having the availability of lots of varied terrain then you would enjoy the forest trails in the area.
You can find trails that are perfect for the entire family or mountain bike a challenge or climb rock formations.

The fires have not impacted this wonderful park. Full of wildlife saw deer cayotes and a small wolf pup a beautiful road can be busy on the weekends

Lovely mountain scenic byways! We stopped at the peak and had a cool Mexican lunch in South Park, Co! We got a kick out that! Great drive to our next destination.

Went with the family hiking, looking at different mountain passes( Coal pass) and other. Several different locations had hot springs. Nice trails for hiking that were not too strenuous, but easy to see waterfalls, lakes etc. Great get away location

Still plenty of snow although it was the end of the ski season when I arrived in Durango. Serious photo op!

Plan on giving yourself a little more time, some of the passes can be slow especially on weekends. Just slow down and enjoy the views. Lots of great places to pull over and look at this beautiful area, and the roads are well maintained.

Definitely worth coming down for.

You expect breathtaking vistas in Colorado, and they’re certainly here. But much more too: well-run franchises for skiing and snowmobiling; trails for hiking; rural drives for touring; and wildlife for spying. The altitude will challenge flatlanders’ breathing and energy, so allow time to work into shape for a day or two.

This was one of our first stops to take in the beauty of Durango. Absolutely breath-taking views. Good roads, well-marked.

So much to see. Awesome mountain settings with beautiful forests and cool water. Take a hike or just ride through.

part of my Colorado Trail hike. Great to hike, camp out in remote and less remote places, nice river, both easy and more challenging hikes

We took a Jeep tour through the San Juan National Forest. The trip was beautiful!
Wonderful mountain top views, streams, waterfalls, and wildlife. Highly recommend visiting the area.

We stayed in a cabin in the San Juan National Forest. The area is peaceful and beautiful. We visited Lake Electra and Lake Havilland which are both scenic with mountains and forests around the lakes.

Our drive through the forest from Durango to Ouray was wonderful. The scenery is amazing. We saw a number of interesting animals on the way.

We always pick a full day to enjoy every little aspect of this National Forest. Around ever little bend is a new adventure, a new scene or waterfall.

One of the most enjoyable things I did was to find the perfect spot, away from the noise of the crowd, just sit down and become one with nature that surrounds you.

You will come out of the forest with some great photos of sights and animals.

What else is in a forest besides trees ? More trees! Mostly very beautiful until coming to a diseased or burned area, then , not so good.

Took this trip by jeep. Jeff Copeland was our guide. Amazing views and ride. It is however not for people with back problems. Wear something to protect your head from wind. It is after all an open air ride. Guide was super personalble and knowledgeable Bring water and good hiking shoes as the terrain is rocky and rough when you get out to walk to take a few pics. Well worth the $85.00/adult for half a day ride. Highly recommend it.

I grew up camping in the San Juan National Forest and in my 20's, I backpacked in those beautiful mountains. Then took my 2 sons there to continue the tradition. Best memories!

We took a fantastic hike in the San Juan mountains during peak leaf peeping season. We ran out of superlatives. This is an amazing natural environment with something for everyone.

I visited friends playing at the Music in the Mountains Festival located just above Durango, which this year takes place July 8-31. Since I wasn't playing, I could roam around the area and, to my surprise, I found there was a great deal of roaming to do. First I took the picturesque train to Silverton, where my friends met me for lunch and a walk-around. On the car drive back toward Durango I noticed potential for a drive in the forest. Little did I know how spectacular it could be. I only got as far as Ouray,
the Switzerland of America," on this trip, but it was enough to whet my appetite for a return. Photographers, you will be in heaven.

We hiked hope lake near trout creek and the Elbert creek trail. Beautiful color! Smelling the pines and watching the aspens shutter in the breeze was awesome. The hope lake hike was in snow!

This vast forest has many locations where one could set up camp or even cross country ski when there's snow on the ground.

this is a very scenic hyway to take, was beatiful. there are pull offs to stop and take pictures or to stop and take a break

Nice trails and lovely views.Trails are well maintained with good signage. Picnic tables are available.

Beautiful, peaceful, relaxing, friendly and all around fabulous... Great a place to get away from and all. Durango is a great place to go and explore and the town is dog friendly. That is icing on the cake.

Take some time and drive into the forest, or book a trip that takes you in. The area is just lovely with lots of scrub oak and aspen trees.

We had a beautiful hike in the forest. The snow was like diamonds sparkling in the sun. Our little guys got to see water flowing under a layer of ice. We will go again!

It is a very nice park to drive through! It offers beautiful views. Nice places to pull over and see the

I came out to western Colorado to get my annual fix of beautiful fall colors. I drove down from Montrose, Co. through Telliride and down to Cortez then over to Durango. The mountains are alive with fall colors. Around ever bend and over every hill is more beauty to behold. I have been to northern Colorado mountains before but these mountains of San Juan National Forest are my favorites Come see for yourself. Enjoy!

Very beautiful - Many different types of rock formations with the river running through. Was intrigued with the scrub oaks and the different fall colors.

We drove the Million Dollar Highway from Ouray to Durango which passes through the forest so you get to see some wonderful views as you pass through.

Nevertheless, you will appreciate a lot more if you stop to hike. We did part of the Colorado Trail from Little Molas Lake to Molas Lake and back and 2 miles and back (so 4 total) of the Engineer Mt trail with the latter being the steeper of the two. Both were very diffent and offered stupendous views. I guess we hiked for around 3.5 hrs total allowing for the elevation and lots of photos.

The Million Dollar Highway itself is very windy and has no guard rails with sheer drops. However, it's not difficult if you drive with care.

Words can't begin to describe the drive on the Million Dollar Highway! The beauty is indescribable! Thankful for many turnoff points to try to take it in. Plan to take your time to really enjoy it!

We drove through the spectacular San Juan National Forest in May before the fires hit so we had no trouble getting through to Durango and beyond. Fires are out or under control now but you should call or check the website for any closures or restrictions in effect at areas you want to visit. The centerpiece of the forest are the many fourteen thousand foot high peaks of the San Juan range of the rocky mountains, and highway 550, the million dollar highway, which runs between Durango and Silverton. The famous Durango-Silverton narrow gauge railway also links the two towns but clings to the cliffs along the Animas RIver gorge. Numerous other paved and jeep four wheel drive roads lead to rivers, lakes and passes with rafting, fishing, hiking climbing and camping. Many national monuments (Canyon of the Ancients, Hovenweep) national parks (Mesa Verde, Black Canyon) and state parks are nearby. have fun and enjoy your visit to Colorful Colorado.

A NICE RIDE up the big hill. The road was well maintained and the Corolla made the hill with no problems. The views of the Animas valley are everywhere. The road was narrow in a few places and the cliffs kept us on our toes. So many places to pull over we can't mention them all. The cats didn't seem to like us because we spooked a couple and they didn't stick around for pictures. Overall we felt safe and can't wait to return.

This is a very beautiful national forest that we saw from the train as well as the road. The views are outstanding and beautiful.

We traveled several times through the San Juan National forest...... unbelievable view around every corner!!!! We definitely plan to revisit this area, as two (2) weeks was not enough time to see everything!!!

Beautiful part of Colorado. Road trip to explore the southwest area of our home state. Weather was wonderful. Roads in great repair. Moderate crowds, lots of trailers and RV’s.

We drove through numerous places in the San Juan National Forest between Pagosa Springs, Durango, and Ouray. This is truly beautiful scenery of mountains and forests. Everyone should drive through here and hike at least once in your life. We will be back again!

Not terribly recommended, around Durango anyway. Also rather high end loaded, there maybe a 1000 routes around Durango but there's not much below 5.10. I went to X-Rock, Fume Wall and Golf Wall. The few routes under 5.10 there were somewhat polished making them much harder than the headings suggested. Plus the broken off holds in what was some of the softest sandstone around certainly upgraded many of these short routes. Hard to find climbing partners, mosquitoes are also an issue (Golf Wall). This ain't Red Rock Canyon, altogether pretty forgettable :(.

Breath-taking scenery between Durango and Silverton. There are views of the mountains, trees, water, and so much more. Gorgeous!

We rode through the forest via train and car. It's a sight for sure. Lots of gorgeous trees and rivers and waterfalls. You can access the forest by driving through it or by train. Take the Durano/Silverton train through the forest, great ride.

On 09-29-18, we drove San Juan Skyway. The Aspen Leaves were at peak color. For mile after mile we enjoyed the beautiful colors. Very little traffic so we could take our time enjoying the scenic colors.

The San Juan National Forest covers over 1,878,846 acres in western Colorado, with scenery ranging from high desert mesas and canyons to high alpine peaks and meadows. It occupies land in 10 counties and borders the Uncompahgre National Forest to the north and the Rio Grande National Forest to the east. It covers most of the southern portion of the San Juan Mountains west of the Continental Divide and contains two alpine wilderness areas, the Weminuche and South San Juan as well as the Piedra Area, which consists of forested mountains, 14,000-foot peaks, scenic roads, geologic rock formations, prehistoric communities and the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The most scenic of the byways are the San Juan Skyway and the Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway, a four-wheel-drive road. The San Juan Skyway forms a 233-mile loop. It starts in Durango, Colorado, follows U.S. Highway 160 west and passes the entrance to Mesa Verde National Park, turns north at Cortez, follows State Highway 145 through Delores and the Delores River into the San Juan National Forest. It passes through Rico, crosses 10,222-foot Lizard Head Pass, enters the Uncompahgre National Forest, provides views of 14,159-foot El Diente Peak, 14,246-foot Mount Wilson, 14,107 Wilson Peak and 13,113-foot Lizard Head Peak, then descends to Ophir and follows the San Miguel River to Placerville. Then the byway turns east onto State Route 62 and follows it over Dallas Divide and an excellent view of 14,150-foot Mount Sneffels. Then on to Ridgway, then onto U.S. Route 550 into the Victorian mining town of Ouray. At this point, the highway is referred to as the Million Dollar Highway from Ouray back to Durango. Along the way, stop at Silverton, another mining town, whose riches gave the highway its name. While sight-seeing is a pre-occupation for most tourists, there are a number of other outdoor activities that can be enjoyed by one and all, including hiking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, camping and alpine and nordic skiing. San Juan National Forest was created by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1905. President Barack Obama designated part of the forest as Chimney Rock National Monument in 2012.

We drove through the SJNF with our motorcycles and then the next day took the train up to Silverton and bus back to Durango and it was GREAT!! The scenery was never ending!

We were in the Durango area for 4 days and intended to hike the Engineer Mountain Trail (a poplar hike in the area) but by the time we arrived, there was no parking at the main lot or the overflow lot (lots are located near Coal Bank Pass, I believe). We were told by the parking lot attendant that you need to arrive by 8 or 9 am to get a parking spot. So we went up the road a bit until we saw a trail going up the mountainside. That turned out to be Coal Creek Trail. We parked at an overlook pull off and headed up the trail. You can't see the trailhead sign from the road -- just look for a trail as you are driving and pull off when you see it.

This ended up being a beautiful hike. Lots of alpine wildflowers and few other hikers -- only saw 4 other people the entire time. That would not have been the case on the Engineer Mountain Trail. The summit is at 11,600. We made it up to 11,000 and then turned around. That amounted to a roughly 800 ft elevation change -- that was plenty for us, as this was our first full day in CO and we weren't yet accustomed to the elevation.

Made 2 trips to the San Juan forest. My son in law and myself hiked about a mile and a half along the ridge. The views were spectacular. We watched hawks as they soared on the thermals. We were able to rest on the rocks and enjoy the beauty of God's creation. If you happen to hike at the right time, you can watch the old steam engine train that runs between Durango & Silverton from up on the ridge. The next day, we took 5 of our grandchildren on the same ridge. Our son rode his dirt bike and met up w/us on a flat rock area where we let the children climb & play. The children, ages 2-7 had a wonderful time. They also got to see the train on it's way to Silverton. I would say this is a great family activity or a great activity for someone who like to hike and simply enjoy nature.

If you like the forest this is heaven, on earth we stayed in a cabin in the forest once in a lifetime experience

This place is beautiful. Spectacular sites everywhere, around every turn. We saw so many deer and elk, and even some marmots. Just wonderful.

Breathtaking views of God's handiwork. There was so much to see and we were blessed to have had the opportunity. Not being skiers, we usually see Colorado in the fall. What an excellent experience

Around every corner and over every hill it takes your breath away in supreme vistas and blue sky views.

A beautiful and enjoyable place to look at God's creation, and enjoy the company of a loved one. Truly spectacular views.

I recommend going northbound from Durango to Denver... it is a 485-mile thru-hike, AND it is spectacular!

Just after Rockwood Colorado while riding on the Durango Silverton Train you will see this sign. Next you will be on the cliffs overlooking the Los Animus River

Wild mushroom hunting in the San Juan is not to be missed. Classes available at DNF a grocery store. King Boletes, Hawkswings, Puffballs, and if you are lucky, s
Shaggy Manes.
The hiking alone is worth the trip.

If you are in the area, I hope you are able to spend some time enjoying the natural beauty, the fresh air, etc.

This place is beautiful and offers shade on hot summer days! We went horseback riding through the forest with Rapp Corral and had a great afternoon.

There are a variety of campsites in the San Juan that are easy to get to. All forest roads are clearly marked, so you can find hiking trails.

Everyone should take the time to see this beautiful country. It was unbelievable the sites we saw. The mountain ranges are just a whole drifferent beauty from the Tennessee mountains and they are beautiful too.

We are local to Durango and go into the San Juan Mountains at least once a month, often more than once a week.

We stayed in Durango and drove our car up to Silverton, then on to Ouray and Telluride. The ride was absolutely breathtaking and views were spectacular. The roads were very good to drive on, Each of the towns were unique in their own way and we spent time in each one, walking up and down the streets to visit the various shops. In Telluride there is a free gondola to ride to the top of the mountain to visit the shops up there. They even allow dogs on the gondola.

The San Juan National Forest, alone or when combined with the Rio Grand National Forest (to the northeast) and the Uncompahgre (to the northwest), cover a lot of the San Juan Mountain range: very high, very rugged, very old mountains. If you like hiking (Ice Lake, Island Lake, Columbine, Piedra Falls, and more), camping (formal and dispersed), jeeping/ATVing (Alpine Loop, Black Bear, Red Mountain Pass, Ophir Pass, Engineer Pass, Corkscrew Gulch plus many many more) , skiing (Purgatory/Durango Mountain, Telluride, Wolf Creek) , hot springs (Pagosa Springs, Ouray, Ridgeway), native American history (Mesa Verde National Park, canyon of the Ancients) , steam trains (Durango Silverton RR), ghost towns (mining ruins, Animas Forks, Read Mountain mining district, Ironton, Eureka, Mineral Point and many many more), endless vistas and views, lively towns (especially Durango and Pagosa Springs), Old and active mining towns (Silverton and Creed), tubing/ float trips (Durango) and much much more. You can spend weeks in this area and only see a small portion of it. Highly highly recommended vacation spot.

Recently went on IceLake hike, I didn't finish but my daughter did and said it was incredible. The hike takes much longer than sign at the foot makes you think. Her tracker showed over 10 miles round trip which is even more than online Trail maps show. It took more like 3.5 hours up and she came down very fast due to a pre arranged meeting time at base. She saiid there around 5-6 waterfalls and the hike started out easy then after crossing meadow it got harder. Her impression was you should go up early and try to camp over night for best experience. Well worth the time to go, but get an early start! This was also a favorite hike by many locals we asked before going. The base area is a little northwest of Silverton, then 4 miles up a dirt road to get to the camping area and base of hike. There are restrooms at the base. Many hikers had their large dogs along with them. Awesome day with temps in 60's.

I visited the San Juan National Forest via a car ride between Durango & Silverton and it was as beautiful as it was refreshing despite the cold. There are several pullouts along the way to enable folks to stop for a few minutes and click pictures and what fabulous pictures you get!!

We drove the 265 mile loop of the San Juan Skyway that transits the San Juan National Forest. The Skyway takes you from Durango, through Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, Dolores and a few other small towns before looping back to Durango. If it is a clear day it is well worth the drive. The drive provides for a panoramic view down into the the towns of Silverton and Ouray. We stopped for lunch in Telluride and had intended to take the free gondola ride up to Mountain View. However, the gondola was closed for routine maintenance, which is done between the Winter and Summer seasons. You may find detailed information regarding the San Juan Skyway by visiting the Colorado Department of Transportation's website under the Travel Center menu tab.

The country is beautiful and the people are real friendly. You must have your camera to capture all the wonderful sites. You can drive if you are not a hike. All the little mining towns are still very interesting. You need time to see all the wonderful things. Already a great summer.

Go hike or fish, it is a pristine quite soul refurbishing repite! Even as the chill of winter heads in, it is a beautiful place to enjoy.

We drove through San Juan National Forest while traveling from Sante Fe to Pagosa Springs. It was a wonderful drive, with beautiful views of the mountains and valleys.

Went out for a morning drive to look for wildlife. Got close & personal with a few deer while driving up & down the mountain (a few crossed in front of us).

Enjoyed almost a week camping here at the Kroeger campground. LOTS of shade, which was fantastic on hot summer days. Short walk to the La Plata river. As you'd expect, the campground was busier on the weekend; nice and quiet on weekdays. The campground host Grant was a nice guy, making the rounds each day to check in with campers and keep the bathrooms clean. No cell coverage at the campground, but if you drive back toward 160 you can get phone and text reception. No dump station, so you need to be self-contained if you are in an RV. Really great motorcycling on forest and county roads in the area for dual sports.

I traveled down here nearly every summer from Denver to four-wheel drive, then hike and backpack these glorious mountains before moving to Durango in 1991. The Rockies are spectacular, the Sierras are amazing, but, for me, there is nothing to compare to the San Juans with their steep sides covered with waterfalls and wildflowers. If you are unable to hike, you can get in there on all the four-wheel drive roads left by the silver miners. But there is nothing like backpacking into the Weminuche for experiencing a true getaway into wilderness. And the trails aren't overrun like they are in the Rockies and California. As yet, they aren't overrun by grizzlies or black bear either. Though bears are around, and you had best be prepared to store your food accordingly.

I've eaten fresh-caught trout from the streams, hiked at night with the sound of elk bugling and stood high on a pass gazing at numerous blue lakes below. Been in there for four days and never seen a single person but the partner with me. I've walked through wildflowers high as my elbows and stood on granite while watching an eclipse of the moon from 12,000 feet. Uncountable memories from these mountains.

I must say that this tree is beautiful in the San Juan Forest. I explored the area through a property owned by the cabin that I was staying. This property is only accessible through forestry service gates. Walking along I saw bear tracks, coyote tracks and live elk and turkeys. Not a lot of song birds in April. I did see a hummingbird feeder so I made some sugar water for any passing through after I had left the rental property. The highest elevation that I explored in the back of this property was around 8,000 feet. This property is close to Pagosa Springs. The San Juan forest is huge! The gates open and close to public at various times of the year.

We love the San Juans. It is a place that we hike, bike, camp, and ride our ATVs and UTVs. Take your camera as the sights are unbelievable and you will see wildlife. Spend more than a day or two in these beautiful mountains of Colorado.

Absolutely beautiful area. Hope you can drive in the mountains. I stayed in Northern Colorado and drove down to this area just close enough to catch a glimpse of this area. I went back later for a whole week in Durango.

San Juan National Forest is a great scenic drive with pull off along the way to take in the views. Not sure I would want to drive this in the snow!

Spend as much time here as you can! The views are just incredible. There are literally thousands of hiking trails for people of all ages and abilities. Download a trail app and find something you'll enjoy...

Beautiful forested area with many campsites and great facilities for all kinds of activities. Easily accessible with parking available in many areas.

Wonderful campground in the National Forest. It's visiting our own land and sharing it with others who love the basic beauty and simplicity of dry camping.

Words can't describe the incredible views on Highway 550 between Durango and Silverton. We drove thru the San Juan Forest when many of the Aspens were still bright yellow which added to the already beautiful scenery. There are numerous scenic turn-offs that allow you to stop, take photos and take in the awesomeness of it all. Truly worth the trip.

Lots of roads and scenic views. Good for photographers. Every turn another picture. Wild life when the number of people are down.

Great family adventure awaits all who yearn for clean air and a noise free environment. Wonderful moments are sure to sprout up for families eager to get back to nature.

We visited the San Juan National Forest at different Locations. Hiked at Valecito Lake and noted there are camping spots there and several campers taking advantage of the spots. There were clean, fresh smelling pit toilets in mutiple locations. San Juan National Forest offers trails for all different levels of skill.

Best visited by stopping by the San Juan Public Lands Office in Durango to all the maps and information