San Juan National Forest

Recreation Facilities Analysis

The Recreation Facilities Analysis Program of Work for the San Juan National Forest is available below.

The San Juan National Forest Recreation Facility Analysis Program of Work describes the vision for the overall recreation program and outlines proposals specific to individual developed recreation sites. This version of the Recreation Facility Analysis Program of Work reflects public comments received between May and June of 2008.

"The goal is to make sure our facilities are environmentally sustainable, provide support to and are supported by local communities, and offer a fiscally responsible cost-benefit ratio for management,” said David Baker, San Juan National Forest Recreation Lead.

The San Juan National Forest operates an extensive developed recreation program, currently operating 40 developed campgrounds, five dispersed camping areas, 12 day-use areas, seven boat ramps, five visitor centers, eight scenic overlooks, three fire lookout towers/cabins, and 46 trailheads. The analysis calls for the majority of these sites to be maintained into the future, however, services at others will undergo changes.

"Many of the San Juan's developed recreation facilities were built 30 to 50 years ago and require significant deferred maintenance to remain safe and operable,” Baker said. “Other facilities receive no or little use, and no longer serve their original purpose.”

The analysis calls for many upgrades to help bring camping facilities up to date and encourage occupancy by improving campsites, electrical hookups, toilets, water systems, signing, and parking. Cost-saving measures include using partnerships and volunteers to help maintain trailheads and boat ramps.

Based on public input, the San Juan National Forest revised its Recreation Facility Analysis in July of 2008 to produce the current analysis.

Four popular recreation areas still present challenges in terms of the agency's ability to manage natural-resource damages and social issues. Additional public involvement will take place as site-specific projects are proposed as solutions.

•  At Little Molas Lake, recent upgrades have added new toilets, parking areas, and fire rings with campsites for horse users, car campers, and RV campers. Camping is still free at this time because no potable water, trash pickup, picnic tables or campground hosts are provided. How to provide for ongoing maintenance and operation will be addressed as data is gathered on user impacts.

•  The Lower Hermosa Trailhead offers free campsites and horse facilities, plus a toilet, fire rings and picnic tables. No potable water, trash pickup, or campground host are provided. The most pressing issues will be how to provide for maintenance and security.

•  In the South Mineral drainage, where a developed campground already exists, three dispersed areas offer free unofficial campsites, with a toilet and onsite campground host, but no other amenities. Challenges that must be addressed include trespassing on adjacent private lands, lack of access to the creek, overcrowding, and people using services within fee campgrounds without paying.

•  In La Plata Canyon, where two developed campgrounds already exist, free dispersed camping takes place in several areas with limited toilets or other amenities. Challenges that must be addressed include trespassing on adjacent private lands, impacts to the river corridor, people using services within fee campgrounds without paying, and trash and bear-safety issues.

Other changes proposed in the analysis include, for the Pagosa Springs Ranger District is to permanently close the Wolf Creek Campground, which has been temporarily closed due to diseased falling trees and flooding. The nearby West Fork Campground will remain open.

The Dolores Ranger District will continue to offer fishing access at the Dolores Fishermen's Access Area, adjacent to the Dolores Cemetery , but will not replace the chronically vandalized toilet. The Sage Hen Fishermen's Access Area will remain open for day-use only. Below the dam, Metaska Picnic Area will continue to offer vehicle access to the river but will not be operated as a formal recreation site.

Some of the changes proposed for the Columbine Ranger District include closing the East Lime Creek Rest Area on U.S. Highway 550 across from the Andrews Lake Recreation Area. In La Plata Canyon, three dispersed camping sites would be closed due to problems with resource damage, vandalism, sanitation, and trespassing on adjacent private lands. Two other dispersed sites would be upgraded. The Kroeger and Snowslide campgrounds would also see improvements.

For more information, contact David Baker at 970 385-1240 or emailed to djbaker@fs.fed.us or faxed to 970 375-2331.

Recreation Facilities Analysis Resources

• San Juan National Forest Recreation Facilities Analysis [pdf, 29 pages, 1.79 MB]
• National Recreation Facilities Analysis Website

To comment on the Proposed Plan of Work or to obtain a hard copy of the Plan, contact Forest Recreation Manager Dave Baker by e-mail at djbaker@fs.fed.us or at 970-385-1240.

USDA Forest Service, San Juan National Forest
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Last modified September 10, 2008