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San Miguel County, Colorado

Looking for the best chillin in San Miguel County? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around San Miguel County. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Chillin Spots in and near San Miguel County

  • Durango, Colorado

    Camp at Little Molas Lake

    5.0
    1 mi / 40 ft gain
    Little Molas Lake Campground is about 1 mile off of US Highway 550 on Molas Pass just North of and on the other side of the highway from the Molas Overlook. Pro-tip: there is also another campground nearby called Molas Lake Park & Campground, so it's important to distinguish which you are hea...
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  • Durango, Colorado

    Hike the Colorado Trail: Little Molas Lake to Lime Creek

    5.0
    10 mi / 755 ft gain
    To hike this section of the Colorado Trail, you'll begin from the Little Molas Lake Campground at around 10,895-ft. Little Molas Lake Campground is about 1 mile off of US Highway 550 on Molas Pass just North of and on the other side of the highway from the Molas Overlook, which is just South of S...
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  • Silverton, Colorado

    Fly Fish the Animas River

    4.0
    While the Animas River runs for miles in the San Juan National Forest, a beautiful (and accessible) stretch runs right through Silverton, CO. Here, you can fish, hike, or chill. The river is fast with very few pockets for the trout to hide; however, if you search around enough, you'll find a fish...
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  • Silverton, Colorado

    Explore Hurricane Pass and Lake Como

    Spending much of the trek above tree line, Hurricane Pass is situated at 12,730 feet above sea level and offers up views of Poughkeepsie Gulch (a more extreme off-road trail) and sapphire blue mountain lakes, such as Lake Como. One of the most beautiful roads in the lower 48 states, Hurricane Pas...
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  • Silverton, Colorado

    Drive to California Pass

    California Pass’s summit is a jaw dropping 12,960 feet above sea level. A long way from the valley floor, California Gulch, but, as drivers start their trek, the valley floor starts to shrink and gives way to steep climbs and switchbacks. Off road vehicles are needed to reach the top, and drivers...
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  • Silverton, Colorado

    Explore Placer Gulch and Sound Democrat Mill

    0.25 mi / 50 ft gain
    Placer Gulches 4WD trail is a gorgeous route offering scenic vistas of the San Juan Mountains and traverses an area rich with mining history. This area provides gorgeous wild flowers in the peak season of late July/ early August. Some of the best preserved mine structures in Colorado can be found...
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  • Silverton, Colorado

    Explore Animas Forks

    5.0
    0.25 mi / 40 ft gain
    The ghost town of Animas Forks, CO is located in the San Juan Mountains at an elevation of 11,200 feet. There are several original buildings remaining. The best way to explore the region is by Jeep or other high-clearance 4×4. The cabins began being built by prospectors in 1873. Three rivers meet...
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  • Silverton, Colorado

    Photograph Moose of the Animas River

    Between the city of Silverton and prior to reaching the ghost town of Animas Forks a wonderful area of alpine beaver ponds that are teaming with trout, many species of ducks, beavers, and moose.  Along the forest road in the early morning and evening many moose can be easily seen from the road wa...
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  • Lake City, Colorado

    Drive Cinnamon Pass

    5.0
    Along Colorado’s Alpine Loop, Cinnamon Pass sits 12,640’ above the San Juan Mountains. A high clearance vehicle preferably with 4WD is needed to reach the pass, but the breathtaking views along the challenging journey make it worth the ride.  During the gold rush in Colorado, Cinnamon pass was us...
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  • Lake City, Colorado

    Backpack to Wetterhorn Basin

    13 mi / 3000 ft gain
    This trip is for the lover of solitude and the appreciator of the unscathed backcountry. Wetterhorn Basin is in the heart of the beautiful San Juan Mountain range in Southwestern Colorado.With a 4WD high clearance vehicle start at the West Cimarron Trailhead at 10,750 feet (38.1117N -107.5533W),...
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  • Lake City, Colorado

    Explore Nellie Creek Falls

    5.0
    0.8 mi / 300 ft gain
    Nellie Creek Falls is a beautiful little falls, up County Road 23. The waterfall is surrounded by a forest of aspens leading up the valley. To get to the falls take the northern route of the Alpine Loop from Lake City towards Engineer Pass. In about 5 miles you come to Nellie Creek Road on the ri...
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  • La Plata County, Colorado

    Soak at Pinkerton Hot Spring

    5.0
    The Million Dollar Highway in Southern Colorado is a scenic mountain drive with many beautiful sights.  Pinkerton hot springs is located on the side of the highway just outside of Durango, Colorado.  There is a small pullout area for parking with a plaque explaining the history of the area and th...
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  • Lake City, Colorado

    Capture Fall Foliage and Whitmore Falls on Engineer Pass

    5.0
    Just outside of the small community of Lake City, Colorado is Engineer Pass, a dirt road that has amazing views and opportunities to hike, take pictures, and maybe even explore an abandoned mining town. Four wheel drive or all wheel drive is preferable, but the road can definitely be driven by a ...
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  • Montrose, Colorado

    Drive the East Portal Road

    Want an easier way to get to the bottom of the canyon without the rugged hiking trails? Drive to the bottom via the East Portal Road. Open once the harsh winter breaks, this road switchbacks its way to the bottom at the meeting place of Curecanti National Recreation area and Black Canyon of the G...
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  • Montrose, Colorado

    Camp at Black Canyon of the Gunnison's South Rim Campground

    5.0
    The South Rim Campground is located about 6 miles inside Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. There are a total of 88 sites, 34 of which are available year-round. Reservations are definitely recommended, but are not required - loop C is first-come, first-served. Loop B fills up first, as i...
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  • Montrose, Colorado

    Drive the Scenic loop at Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park

    4.5
    The Black Canyon of Gunnison is know for 2000 foot cliffs and a beautiful raging river below. The south side of the canyon is the most popular and the easiest to get to. The visitor center is also on the south side making it convenient for information and getting souvenirs. The scenic drive also ...
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