Rio Grande National Forest

USDA Forest Service
Rio Grande
National Forest
1803 W. Highway 160
Monte Vista, CO 81144
719-852-5941

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
719-852-6271

The Archuleta Trail is bounded by private property for the first mile and visitors are asked to respect property boundaries.

Access:

Approximately 7 miles north of Chama, New Mexico on Highway 17, take the Chama River Road #121 to the north. This road passes through 6 miles of private property before reaching the Rio Grande National Forest boundary. At the forest boundary, is the Chama River Camping Area. Take the left fork of the road down to the river and camping area. The Archuleta Trailhead is located at the south end of the camping area.

Attractions & Considerations:

The Archuleta Trail gives access to the western portion of Chama Basin, one of the most scenic and wild places on the Conejos Peak Ranger District. The trail follows Archuleta Creek, climbing steadily but gradually from the Chama River valley. Despite the easy grade and access, the trail is infrequently used and is ideal for those seeking the solitude of a wilderness excursion. Several days could be spent exploring the Archuleta Creek Valley. Adequate parking is available at the camping area. From here the Chama River must be forded. This can sometimes be difficult because of the spring runoff. Water is available from Archuleta Creek or from its numerous tributary streams. This trail is open to motorized uses by vehicles up to 48 inches wide.

Narrative:

The Archuleta Trail follows Archuleta Creek into the upper reaches of the drainage. The visitor travels through forests of aspen, spruce, and fir. The forests are broken occasionally by dry mountain meadows, which are filled with the blooms of corn husk lilies in mid-summer. This wide circular valley is bounded on the west by the colorfully Banded Peaks of the Continental Divide. The peaks are composed of uplifted Precambrian (370 million years old) rock topped by younger layers of volcanic basalts. As the trail winds over the forested slopes north of Archuleta Creek, the ravines of the innumerable tributary streams beckon the hiker to step off the trail and explore the unknown backcountry.

As in Chama Basin a whole wildlife abounds in the Archuleta drainage. Elk may be seen grazing in the meadows during early morning and evening and the lucky hiker may chance upon a coyote hunting for meadow mice at dusk. Many other birds and mammals may be seen in the valley.