Piedra River Hot Springs
95–105°F
Pool temperatures
1.5mi
Hike, one way
Free
No fee reported
Piedra River Hot Springs, also called Sheep Creek Hot Springs, is a set of small rock-lined pools on the bank of the Piedra River in San Juan National Forest. You reach them by a downhill hike of about 1.5 miles from the Sheep Creek Trailhead. The pools are mixed with cool river water, so temperatures change with river level and season. The springs are best visited after snowmelt, when the pools are usable and the road is open.
01 · Before you go
Plan your visit
What to expect on the ground: rules, facilities and when to go.
- Clothing optionalCommon here, not official policy
- Parking
- PoolsSeveral small pools
- ModerateJuly to early October, after spring runoff drops.
- SeasonForest Road 622 (First Fork Road) is subject to winter closure. One guide says it typically opens in late April and closes around October. The best window is after snowmelt, roughly July to early October.
- Free to soakNo entry fee or permit is required for day use, according to a guide site. This was not confirmed on the USFS page.
Best time to go. July to early October, after spring runoff drops. Before July the river can flood the lower pools.
02 · Live
Conditions
Access status, weather and hazards. Closure feeds are checked automatically every morning.
Access
No closures reported
No closure, fire or weather warning found in Forest Service, wildfire (NIFC) or National Weather Service feeds. That isn't confirmation it's open, so check with San Juan National Forest.
Checked 14 Oct · updated daily
No closure of the hot springs or the Sheep Creek trailhead was found for 2026. The separate Lower Piedra Campground was closed for the 2026 season after flood damage to its access road. The Forest Road 622 access road typically closes in winter, usually late fall through April.
High river flows in spring can flood the pools. The final descent to the river is short and steep. The return hike is uphill. Pool temperatures vary with river level. The road has blind corners with exposure. Winter snow and ice affect the trail.
03 · Route
Getting there
Nearest town: Pagosa Springs. Then a 1.5-mile hike, one way.
- 1
From Pagosa Springs, drive about 22 miles west on US 160 to First Fork Road (FSR 622). Turn north and go about 6.5 miles to the junction with Monument Park Road (FSR 630).
- 2
The Sheep Creek Trailhead (Trail 599) is on the left, with parking. Follow the Sheep Creek Trail.
- 3
The first part is closed to motorized vehicles, and after about a mile you enter the Piedra Area. The route ends with a short, steep descent to the riverbank.
- 4
Guides give the one-way hike as about 1.4 to 1.5 miles, with a drop of about 600 feet to the springs. The return climb is uphill.
37.3130, −107.3440 · nearest town Pagosa Springs, CO
These coordinates are for the spring itself, not the parking area. Navigate to the trailhead named in the directions.
04 · Where to stay
Stay nearby
Start early and stay close. Places to stay near Pagosa Springs, from campgrounds to cabins.
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