Monument Park (Applegate Hut)

The Pagosa Hut and Trail System of Colorado offers THREE HUTS in the San Juan National Forest for your enjoyment. The Huts are accessible by trails for hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, dirt bikers, ATVers, cross-country skiers, snowshoers and snowmobilers (hereinafter referred to as "Trail Users"). The Huts are located northwest of the traditional town of Pagosa Springs, and east of Durango, CO. For National Forest information go to www.fs.fed.us/r2/sanjuan.

Click for Detailed Regional Overview Road/Trail Map

PAGOSA HUTS ACCESS: From spring to early winter, conventional vehicles can drive all the way to the Turkey Springs Hut and within 1.3 miles of the other two huts. Trail Users can bypass the gates for the Asplin Hut at Hotz Springs and the Applegate Hut at Monument Park. In all seasons Motorized and Mechanical (bicycles) vehicles are forbidden to enter the Weminuche Wilderness, the South San Juan Wilderness and the Piedra Special Management Area.   All three huts sleep 8, are handicap accessible and have propane stoves for cooking.  Hotz Springs and Monument Park have indoor composting toilets and Turkey Springs has an enclosed outdoor toilet building.  HUTS ARE OPEN ALL YEAR EXCEPT FOR APRIL 1 - 30THERE IS NO WATER AT THE HUT SITES, BRING YOUR OWN. There is NO MAID SERVICE. Rental groups must include at least one adult. Visitors are responsible for keeping and leaving the cabins clean.  FEES are $60/night (max occupancy 8).  There is no refund if cancellation occurs within 2 weeks of the reservation.  RESERVATIONS:  The Huts may be reserved up to one year in advance of the reservation date, with payment of fees required at time of reservation.  You will need to provide the desired arrival and departure dates and the number of people per night.  Occupancy is from 2 PM (arrival) to Noon (departure).  At the moment reservations are being taken at the Pagosa Ranger District Office, call 970-264-2268.  (Online reservations are coming soon.)The Huts at Monument Park (Applegate Hut) and Hotz Springs (Asplin Hut) are newly constructed (click for details on Huts). Along with the Circle T Cabin at Turkey Springs, they are owned and operated by the Pagosa Area Trails Counci, an equal opportunity service provider operating under a special use permit by the USDA Forest Service.  For Additional information contact: 

Pagosa Ranger District
180 Pagosa Street
P.O. Box 310
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 www.fs.fed.us/r2/sanjuan          Telephone: (970) 264-2268

The Pagosa Hut and Trail System is located on 50 square miles of the Pagosa District of the San Juan National Forest. When completed, it will consist of several Huts and 75 miles of Trails. All huts will be available to non-motorized as well as motorized users. The major trails connecting the huts are complete. The Forest Service plans additional trail construction to further separate user types.

Closest regional airport: Durango.
Closest major airport: Albuquerque.
Other airports: Colorado Springs, Denver, Farmington.

We recommend that you spend the night in Pagosa Springs prior to starting out on your trip, and perhaps a night on the way out. There are a number of fine choices in lodging and restaurants for all price ranges. You may also choose to stay in town and make Day Use of the trails in the Hut and Trail System or in the rest of the National Forest. While you are in Pagosa Springs, don't forget to try out the Hot Springs downtown.