Archuleta Trail and Big Meadows Trail

For those adventurers who want to experience the natural beauty of the Colorado landscape without the killer elevation that often goes along with it, the Archuleta Trail and Big Meadows Trail is a great route that will take you along the water’s edge to experience a different kind of scenery in the San Juan Mountains.

Setting out from the trailhead, you will make your way to the southwest and skirt along the shores of Big Meadows Reservoir while taking in the beautiful views across the water. Eventually, you will leave behind the shores of the reservoir and continue on to the southwest, where you will arrive at the banks of the Rio Grande.

Continuing on in the same direction, you will gradually climb uphill alongside the riverbank, exercising caution as the trail narrows at the edge of the rushing water. After walking along the forested river bank, the trail will bend to the north for a short distance alongside Archuleta Creek, before arriving at the endpoint of the route. From here, simply turn back and follow the same path past the reservoir to arrive at the trailhead where you began your adventure.