Pagosa Springs, CO; A Vacation From the 505

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Pagosa Springs, CO; A Vacation From the 505 from Albuquerque Moms BlogVacationing in Pagosa Springs, CO is a family tradition that began when my Dad spent summers there as a kid. He and his family would spend weeks camping and fishing at a near by lake. As I was growing up, my family would go to Pagosa to four wheel during the summer or enjoy the snow in the winter. Now, my husband and I enjoy taking our kids there at least once a year. There is so much we love about Pagosa Springs and since it’s only about a 3 to 4 hour drive from Albuquerque (depending on the temperment of the baby) it’s the perfect place for a little vacation from the 505.

If you’re looking to squeeze a last minute getaway into your summer or fall schedule, check out Pagosa Springs, CO. Here’s my advice on how to make it a fun and memorable experience for the whole family:

Pagosa Springs, CO; A Vacation From the 505 from Albuquerque Moms BlogWHERE TO STAY

We like to rent a house or cabin when we go to Pagosa. VRBOs have been our go to but with Airbnb, you have even more options. From a house on the golf course to a quiet cabin in the woods or someone’s basement, there are plenty of options for your family that accommodate a variety of budgets.

 

WHAT TO DOPagosa Springs, CO; A Vacation From the 505 from Albuquerque Moms Blog

During the Summer:

  • Picnic, hike or fish in the Williams Creek Reservoir – Enjoy breath taking views, cool air and maybe even a dip in the lake. It’s about an hour drive from Pagosa, but well worth it.
  • Mini Golf at Bogey’s – Besides the views, there is nothing special about this mini golf course. However, kids 5 and under are free.
  • Float Down the San Juan River – I’ve only done this once, but so far it’s been my favorite thing to do in Pagosa. Stop by Pagosa Outside in downtown Pagosa Springs and rent a tube for two hours or a full day. They’ll load your tube onto a bus and drive you up the river. Then you can float down at your leisure. When you’re done you can do it all over again.

During the Winter:

Pagosa Springs, CO; A Vacation From the 505 from Albuquerque Moms BlogWHERE TO EAT

  • Kips Bar and Grill – They have a lovely patio for outdoor dinning in the summer time.
  • Pagosa Brewing Company – It’s a little pricey and their service isn’t always great, but their beer is good and their outdoor patio has a play area for the kids.

WHEN TO GO

  • Early Summer – Since most houses don’t have air conditioning, it’s best to go before it gets too too hot. But even though it could get hot in the afternoons without cooling, it still beats 100 plus temps in Albuquerque
  • Fall and Winter – Pagosa is beautiful in the fall when the leaves begin to change and a great place to ski or enjoy other outdoor sports in the winter.