Navajo State Park

About

Navajo State Park, located in Arboles on Colorado's Western Slope, offers moderate fall hiking trails suitable for visitors with some experience. The park sits 35 miles southwest of Pagosa Springs and features trails that typically take about two hours to complete. Hikers traverse mixed forest and meadow landscapes, with changing foliage providing visual interest during the September through November season. The trails are accessible from a dedicated parking area, and restrooms are available for visitor use. Leashed dogs are permitted on the trails. The park encompasses 5,088 acres and includes approximately nine miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The nearby Navajo Reservoir, which extends 20 miles into New Mexico and covers 15,000 surface acres, serves as a central feature of the park. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, elk, foxes, and beavers, particularly near the watchable wildlife area by the Piedra River bridge and the Sambrito Wetlands. The park operates daily with specific hours for the visitor center, and Stage 2 fire restrictions currently apply, prohibiting outdoor campfires.