Well- I guess I'm not the resident OB Pagosa expert anymore, as I now live in N.TX again instead of PS. But, I think I still qualify to give advice… ha ha!
I won't type all the details here, but feel free to follow up if you need more info on anything. username at g m a i l.
A hike at Lobo Overlook is always great, and a super easy way to see the continental divide. Also- driving up to the overlook just before sunset and taking a picnic dinner (they have some tables and fire rings there) is an awesome way to watch the stars come out and see shooting stars. Bring a jacket.
Treasure falls is the easiest waterfall. Piedra falls is a little longer, but still pretty docile. 4 mile falls is a bit of an adventure.
I would highly recommend spending some time at Williams Creek Resevoir. It's a truly beautiful place. Park at the day use area, then hike south around and across the dam. You can fish all along the bank if you like. If you have a fly rod, there is better fishing to be found in the creek below the dam (you can cross the dam and walk down). Those little buggers will smash an elk hair caddis or a Copper John.
The hot springs are a nice way to end the day. Lots of semi-private pools there.
For a really unique experience, look up Buckaroo's carriage rides. (
https://buckaroosrides.com/) Some of our best friends run this (my family is in several of the promo photos on the website), and they do a phenomenal job. The s'mores rides are super fun, especially for kiddos! If you talk to Buck or Christine, tell them Joey sent you.
For rentals or equipment - check out The Ski & Bow Rack. They can hook you up with anything except mountain bikes (for those, go to The Hub uptown). S&B Rack runs a good tubing shuttle and rental. Great people there.
Hiking to the Piedra River Trail off of Piedra Road is nice too. The Ice Caves are up there (it's more of deep cracks in the ground that hold snow), and the Piedra Overlook is there too (great photo opp). For more adventurous hikes check out Quartz Lake, Opal Lake, Blackhead Peak (my fave, but a hard trial to follow), or Pagosa Peak. If you do anything that involves being up high (any peak or the continental divide trail) plan on heading back down by noon. The afternoon thunder storms can sweep in quick and are no joke up high.
Reservoir Hill has a cool frisbee golf course too, that is a great free activity (even if you have never played). You can rent discs at a couple places in town, maybe even at S&B Rack
Voormi a cool shop to stop in. Locally sourced and made clothing (winter gear). Expensive for sure. But their light stuff is perfect for Texas winters. Tough as nails, and it breathes so you can leave it on inside or out and it adjusts with the temp. Really cool tech in their stuff. You can bring be back a vest as a thank you for the info, ha ha (jk).
Food
Lunch: Sage, Peak Deli, Kipps, Rosie's Pizza
Dinner: Thai Pagosa, Riff Raff on the Rio, Rosie's Pizza, Mountain House Pizza, Ole Miners Steakhouse
Fly fishing is great this time of you. You can get on them in the river downtown, or the Piedra River below Williams Creek, or any of 10,000 backcountry streams. For a day trip, the quality waters below Lake Navajo is a float trip or a lifetime. A local OB'er guides out of Durango, and can hook you up- LRHF is his username. Let me know if you need his contact info. You can also book a guide through the Ski & Bow Rack. Public waters is fun, private waters is more expensive but you will catch some serious toads. Kade Stewart is a good friend of mine who guides with them- excellent guide.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
