Pagosa Springs vacation

I did a search but didn't come up with a whole lot of info.

Taking the girlfriend to Pagosa Springs next month and am ready to book everything and finalize the plans. Staying at the resort is about $200 a night, which seems like the best place to stay, but not super cheap. I don't suppose any of you frequent the area and have some good ideas on things to do/see? Or maybe even a better place to stay than the resort? Doesn't have to be the nicest hotel of all time, just something with a decent vibe, clean etc.

I'm fine with the touristy thing cause you know what you're going to get, but also enjoy some of the more local aspects. Her and I really don't mind sitting in the hot springs and relaxing, lol, but want to eat like kings for a couple days etc. Anybody ski or board Wolf Creek? (Shes a beginner).

Routes on how to get there would be nice too. Had a friend try to take his wife there once, and they got 4 hours away and there was a closed road lol.

Thanks in advance!

The Durango to Silverton train is pretty cool http://www.durangotrain.com/

yeah check http://www.cotrip.org/ before you go

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Originally Posted by BushMasterBoy

yeah check http://www.cotrip.org/ before you go

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Ooh good. thanks!

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Originally Posted by Zundfolge

The Durango to Silverton train is pretty cool http://www.durangotrain.com/

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interesting! I'll check in to it!

IMO, the drive down the west side of Wolf Creek Pass is one of the prettiest drives in the lower 48, or is that 55 (so hard with all the misinformation you get these days [LOL]

Ouray is really nice if you decide to take the long way around. I25 or US285 to US160 is the normal drive, but you can take I70 then go south on US50 to US550. Just depends on how much butt time behind the wheel you are willing to do.

No help on hotels as I normally stay in Durango when I am in the SW part of the state.

Have fun. Be safe.

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Originally Posted by cstone

IMO, the drive down the west side of Wolf Creek Pass is one of the prettiest drives in the lower 48, or is that 55 (so hard with all the misinformation you get these days [LOL]

Ouray is really nice if you decide to take the long way around. I25 or US285 to US160 is the normal drive, but you can take I70 then go south on US50 to US550. Just depends on how much butt time behind the wheel you are willing to do.

No help on hotels as I normally stay in Durango when I am in the SW part of the state.

Have fun. Be safe.

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Thank you stone!!!!

Pretty sure the train won't be running in the winter. But it's an awesome ride, consider booking it now for a summer trip.

My parents used to have a place in Pagosa, haven't been there in years though. Last time we were there was about 15 years ago, I seem to recall there wasn't much to do. Not even a Starbucks or McDonalds. Hope it's a little livelier now.

Ya know really, it's just about getting a little alone time. Doesnt have to be much going on. Still hoping to have a good dinner one night, we might try skiing wolf creek, not sure.. I was thinking of the cheesy stuff like couples massages and shit.. I'll have to figure something out lol

I-25 to Walsenburg then 160 all the way to Durango if your in a hurry. Or Highway 285 to Del Norte then 160 to Durango.
South from Parker come down to the Springs to Highway 24 west over to Johnson's Village south of Buena Vista. Or 115 to Penrose and Highway 50 to Poncha Junction.
Also if Wolf Creek Pass in closed, go south out of Alamosa to Antonito Colorado, then Highway 17 to Chama, NM. Highway 64/84 from Chama to Pagosa.

The D&S operates their winter train half way to Cascade Canyon were it turns and travels back to Durango. Leaves at 9:45 and is back by 3:30 only Thursday through Saturday. Book the Parlor car if at all possible!!!!!!!!!
Wolf Creek is an amazing place to ski, lots of snow and a lot of trails.

Take a bathing suit, there is a big hot spring resort in downtown. "Way" North of town on Piedra Road are a lot of neat side roads with some cool lakes.
Chimney Rock is closed in the winter, there are casino's at Navajo in northern New Mexico.

Good places to eat, I like Kip's. It's a small place on the east side of town in a little house. The Mexican food is so-so, Boss Hoggs is always busy.
If you drink beer, Wolfe Brewing Company is good. Riff raff is ok, Pagosa Brewing is so-so.
Side note, in Del Norte 3 barrel brewing is really good also have great pizza. Also in Alamosa San Luis Brewing is a great place to stop for lunch.

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Originally Posted by nzachman

I-25 to Walsenburg then 160 all the way to Durango if your in a hurry. Or Highway 285 to Del Norte then 160 to Durango.
South from Parker come down to the Springs to Highway 24 west over to Johnson's Village south of Buena Vista. Or 115 to Penrose and Highway 50 to Poncha Junction.
Also if Wolf Creek Pass in closed, go south out of Alamosa to Antonito Colorado, then Highway 17 to Chama, NM. Highway 64/84 from Chama to Pagosa.

The D&S operates their winter train half way to Cascade Canyon were it turns and travels back to Durango. Leaves at 9:45 and is back by 3:30 only Thursday through Saturday. Book the Parlor car if at all possible!!!!!!!!!
Wolf Creek is an amazing place to ski, lots of snow and a lot of trails.

Take a bathing suit, there is a big hot spring resort in downtown. "Way" North of town on Piedra Road are a lot of neat side roads with some cool lakes.
Chimney Rock is closed in the winter, there are casino's at Navajo in northern New Mexico.

Good places to eat, I like Kip's. It's a small place on the east side of town in a little house. The Mexican food is so-so, Boss Hoggs is always busy.
If you drink beer, Wolfe Brewing Company is good. Riff raff is ok, Pagosa Brewing is so-so.
Side note, in Del Norte 3 barrel brewing is really good also have great pizza. Also in Alamosa San Luis Brewing is a great place to stop for lunch.

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Highly appreciated!!!!!

We go twice a year to Pagosa Hot Springs Inn. Stay in the new building. Yes, the cost is more at the resort, but you have unlimited access to the pools and in and out privileges. Also you have to hit Kip's Grill on Sunday or Mondays for the roasted shanks. The Pagosa Brewing Company is pretty good too.

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Originally Posted by copfish

We go twice a year to Pagosa Hot Springs Inn. Stay in the new building. Yes, the cost is more at the resort, but you have unlimited access to the pools and in and out privileges. Also you have to hit Kip's Grill on Sunday or Mondays for the roasted shanks. The Pagosa Brewing Company is pretty good too.

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Thank you for the links! I think it's going to be the Inn.. looking forward to being able to just go right there to you pools...

Yeah, it does rock being able to hit the pools at midnight with a nice cold beer in a plastic mug...

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Originally Posted by copfish

Yeah, it does rock being able to hit the pools at midnight with a nice cold beer in a plastic mug...

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yeah that sounds about perfect.... lol

So just got back from pagosa over the weekend. Thanks in part to your recommendations it went great!

We ended up just taking 25 to 160. On the way there, there was a little excitement as we came up on several semi's that couldnt make it up various hills. on the last one, he had his trailer slid out, crossing almost of the road. snow plow comes up and blocks the only remaining lane that could have let anyone pass. after about 10 minutes, I get out and go up there and find all these guys basically standing around.. I was like, "snow plow guy, back your rig up so we can clear a lane, and direct traffic to let west/east trade off". as that's happening the semi driver tries to back down the hill to get a running start back up the hill lol. I start yelling at him to stop and he finally does. he almost blocks the entire road now, and long story short, I had about 6 inches on either side of my Jeep to squeeze through on. guard rail on one side, this dudes trailer on the other.

but made it there alright after that. Kips was awesome. Wolfe brewing was great too. the Inn was the perfect place to stay. I'm pretty sure we tried almost every pool there. Took some scenic drives, and actually ended up in Durango for lunch one day. The park trails were closed unfortunately. River pointe coffee was an awesome place to get some java. Alley house grill was expensive but great food. had the surf and turf there. didnt know it was a nice place, so I ended up walking in there with my girlfriend who's always very fashionable, and Im wearing a t-shirt that has the quote "I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit, it's the only way to be sure" lol. so we got a good laugh out of that.

all in all, it was awesome... as somebody who basically never takes time off, it was a good recharge. thanks again for all the advice and tips everyone!

Nice to hear! The OL is always ragging about a "vacation", may have to go there.