For those who love the outdoors, Pagosa Springs is home to a two-mile stretch of the San Juan River that’s ideal for tubing, kayaking, and whitewater rafting. It’s family-friendly and easy to access, and there are a number of local locations that rent tubes.
Pagosa Mountain Sports offers shuttle service and Pagosa Springs Tubing rentals, as well as gear rentals and stand-up paddleboards. The city’s other attractions include Pagosa Outside, which offers a variety of river equipment rentals. Pagosa Outside also provides raft and kayak rentals and has stand-up paddleboards available for rent.
Pagosa Springs is famous for its hot springs, which are world-class. They’re buried over 1002 feet deep and are the deepest geothermal springs in the world. The sulfurous water is odorous but can relax sore muscles.
The city has a number of places for tubing and sledding. Local companies rent out sleds, and residents can also tube for free on Reservoir Hill. High Country Tubing Park is another popular spot, and it has four lanes and a kiddie hill for younger tubers. Reservations are required for this park, though.
In addition to the San Juan River, Pagosa Springs is also home to several free natural hot springs. These are located across the San Juan River from Springs Resort and in front of Mary Fisher Park. Visitors can enjoy the relaxing waters of these natural hot springs while taking in picturesque views of the San Juan River. Pagosa also boasts a multitude of waterfalls. Treasure Falls is about 15 miles east of the city, off Highway 160.
Things to Take Care of With Pagosa Springs Tubing
If you’re visiting Pagosa Springs, there are a few things you should take care of while tubing in the area.
- Make sure to wear a safety helmet. This will not only protect your head from bumps and bruises but also from rocks that may fall off of the cliffs while you’re tubing.
- Avoid drinking alcohol or taking any other drugs prior to tubing; both can impair your judgment and lead to dangerous situations.
- If you get lost or want to end your tubing trip early, be sure to signal your guides and wait for them before trying to leave the tubing course.
- Be aware of the surroundings at all times — if you see something suspicious, report it to one of your guides immediately so that they can keep an eye on it.