Nestled between the Weminuche Wilderness and the San Juan Mountains, Pagosa Springs is a charming town in Archuleta County, Colorado. Pagosa Springs was named after the Southern Ute word “Pagosah,” which translates to “healing waters.”

 

Given its small-town feel and beautiful natural surroundings, Pagosa Springs is becoming a hot spot for homeowners to buy a second property or vacation home. In addition to miles of lush landscape and rejuvenating hot springs, the affluent are drawn to Pagosa Springs for its unusually mild climate created by its high desert plateau and the Rocky Mountains to the north and east. Pagosa Springs sees nearly 300 days of sunshine each year and four distinct seasons, making it an extraordinary place for nature lovers, retirees, and families to settle down.

 

What to Love 

 

Local Lifestyle

 

Pagosa Springs is an idyllic place to call home, regardless of your family’s age or size. Whether you’re planning a move to this picturesque town or looking for a second home to escape the city for a few weeks at a time, Pagosa Springs is an ideal destination. While many are moving here in search of vacation homes, this town is not just great for occasional visits. Pagosa Springs is a great place to settle and find work, especially in technology. You can quickly run a global business from the comfort of your home and spend your time off exploring the infinite nature that envelops you.

 

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

 

While the town is relatively small, Pagosa Springs still offers a variety of restaurants, primarily located along E Pagosa Street. For some hearty and flavorful fares served in a relaxed yet inviting atmosphere, head to Meander Riverside Eatery to grab crispy San Luis Valley potatoes and braised pork shank for some hearty and flavorful fares. When seeking a spot to take back a couple of cold ones and share nachos with buddies, look no further than Riff Raff Brewing Company. Whether you’re picking up a pizza for the family after a long workday or looking to stay awhile, Mountain Pizza & Taproom is an excellent local tavern to sip beer, wine, and savor artisan brick-oven pizza.

 

Entertainment spans past the mountaintops here. The Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts features live performances by the local Thingamajig Theatre company year-round. The company presents professional theater acts with national artists in musicals, comedies, dramas, and new, provocative works. In addition, the Center for the Arts offers a broad range of performances, ranging from band concerts to dance recitals, children’s theater camps, and art gallery exhibits.

 

Things to Do

 

Given its small size and surrounding landscape, it is no surprise that outdoor activities are at the center of Pagosa Springs recreation. The plunging cliffs, jagged peaks, babbling rivers, untouched wilderness, and soothing hot springs are endlessly inviting. For a memorable camping experience, make your way to the Piedra Road area, encompassing 60,000+ acres of the San Juan National Forest, suitable for camping, hiking, and catching rainbow trout as you spot beavers. If you’re an angler looking to snag the catch of the day or teach your children how to reel their own, there are plenty of fishing spots in Pagosa Springs and surrounding areas. When winter is afoot, locals spend their days soaring down the Wolf Creek Ski Area slopes. No matter the season, you have every opportunity to relish an outdoor adventure in Pagosa Springs.

 

While nature is undoubtedly the center of the town’s recreation, there are plenty of opportunities to get some well-deserved rest. First, you can dip your toes in the 100% natural mineral water hot springs at Healing Waters Resort & Spa, where your cabin stay affords the relaxing hot spring and massage therapy relief your body has been craving. Then, take a trip back to the Victorian era by visiting Overlook Hot Springs to soak in the mineral springs and unwind with a hot stone massage.