Gregg’s Guidebook
Hikes around the Crestone area
Willow Lake
The ultimate classic Crestone hike is Willow Lake. To find the trailhead, go east on Galena Ave. for 2 bumpy miles. The trail heads east out of the parking lot for a few hundred yards then bears right leaving the South Crestone Trail, and immediately crosses the creek. After a meadow it switchbacks up a ridge for a mile and 1000 feet elevation, then drops into Willow Park at the lower end of Willow drainage. There are some primitive camps at the east end of this park; please practice a Leave No Trace ethic, lnt.org. Within a mile and a half and 1500 feet, and after passing below a wonderful waterfall, you will gain a flat-ish bench with breathtaking views. Try to make it at least this far! The lower lake is another half mile farther on, and the upper lake is 1.5 miles beyond that.
South Crestone Creek Trail
For the same trailhead described above, and again heading east from the parking lot, you can continue on the South Crestone Creek Trail. This is another classic hike that provides nice views of the Valley, after about 1.5 miles and 1200 feet elevation gain. But the route to get that far is beautiful as well, taking you alongside the creek, through a deep evergreen forest, and a lush hillside meadow. At the 2 mile mark you crest a ridge, and leave the views behind, but regain the creekside travel for much of the remaining 2 miles and 1500 feet. Again there is a steep headwall that must be gained before the terrain flattens into a bench. In South Crestone Creek, the last half mile of trail up the headwall was washed out and temporarily(?) rebuilt but is “not suitable for horses”. Once the headwall is surmounted the lake appears at your feet for a well-deserved, but frigid, swim.
North Crestone Creek
Next on the hit list is the longest hike to a lake: North Crestone Creek. This hike is more gradual for the first 2.5 miles, gaining only 1200 feet by the time you reach the Three Forks trail junction. The remaining 3.3 miles rises 2000 more feet, with the bulk happening at Brock Falls and a final steep headwall. By the way, this is the site of the recent Paul Winter recording. From Three Forks other hiking options include a Venable and Comanche Peaks loop. There is camping in the Three Forks area.
Liberty Postal Road
The last entry on the list is a neo-classic: Liberty Postal Road. While only open to the public for a few years, people who travel this northern access to the Great Sand Dunes National Park love the vistas of the Sangres, Blanca and the Dunes. At the bottom of the first long hill, bear right at the fork after crossing the dry creekbed. After 3 miles and 300 feet elevation loss from the trailhead hikers are greeted with the lush but fragile riparian zone of Deadman Creek. Leave No Trace principles remind us to camp at least 200 feet from surface water and roads and trails, to walk and camp on durable surfaces, and to minimize campfire impacts. See lnt.org for details. This may be the only water for miles in either direction so prepare accordingly for your hike. Duncan and Liberty townsites are two and three miles farther on respectively and are interesting windows to our rich local mining history. If you kept on walking you would eventually have to climb up and over the dunes and some 20 miles further would get to the south side of the dunes. It’s a hike I strongly recommend if you have a few days this summer.
I have described these four hikes above and south of Crestone but there are so many more. Hiking details can be found in a Colorado Gazetteer, Trails Illustrated map, or USGS 7.5 minute maps. Around here you can literally pick any drainage and find a trail up it. So, don’t take my word for it, go for it! Hike smart, be happy, drink water, breathe, enjoy.
21 locals recommend
Crestone
Willow Lake
The ultimate classic Crestone hike is Willow Lake. To find the trailhead, go east on Galena Ave. for 2 bumpy miles. The trail heads east out of the parking lot for a few hundred yards then bears right leaving the South Crestone Trail, and immediately crosses the creek. After a meadow it switchbacks up a ridge for a mile and 1000 feet elevation, then drops into Willow Park at the lower end of Willow drainage. There are some primitive camps at the east end of this park; please practice a Leave No Trace ethic, lnt.org. Within a mile and a half and 1500 feet, and after passing below a wonderful waterfall, you will gain a flat-ish bench with breathtaking views. Try to make it at least this far! The lower lake is another half mile farther on, and the upper lake is 1.5 miles beyond that.
South Crestone Creek Trail
For the same trailhead described above, and again heading east from the parking lot, you can continue on the South Crestone Creek Trail. This is another classic hike that provides nice views of the Valley, after about 1.5 miles and 1200 feet elevation gain. But the route to get that far is beautiful as well, taking you alongside the creek, through a deep evergreen forest, and a lush hillside meadow. At the 2 mile mark you crest a ridge, and leave the views behind, but regain the creekside travel for much of the remaining 2 miles and 1500 feet. Again there is a steep headwall that must be gained before the terrain flattens into a bench. In South Crestone Creek, the last half mile of trail up the headwall was washed out and temporarily(?) rebuilt but is “not suitable for horses”. Once the headwall is surmounted the lake appears at your feet for a well-deserved, but frigid, swim.
North Crestone Creek
Next on the hit list is the longest hike to a lake: North Crestone Creek. This hike is more gradual for the first 2.5 miles, gaining only 1200 feet by the time you reach the Three Forks trail junction. The remaining 3.3 miles rises 2000 more feet, with the bulk happening at Brock Falls and a final steep headwall. By the way, this is the site of the recent Paul Winter recording. From Three Forks other hiking options include a Venable and Comanche Peaks loop. There is camping in the Three Forks area.
Liberty Postal Road
The last entry on the list is a neo-classic: Liberty Postal Road. While only open to the public for a few years, people who travel this northern access to the Great Sand Dunes National Park love the vistas of the Sangres, Blanca and the Dunes. At the bottom of the first long hill, bear right at the fork after crossing the dry creekbed. After 3 miles and 300 feet elevation loss from the trailhead hikers are greeted with the lush but fragile riparian zone of Deadman Creek. Leave No Trace principles remind us to camp at least 200 feet from surface water and roads and trails, to walk and camp on durable surfaces, and to minimize campfire impacts. See lnt.org for details. This may be the only water for miles in either direction so prepare accordingly for your hike. Duncan and Liberty townsites are two and three miles farther on respectively and are interesting windows to our rich local mining history. If you kept on walking you would eventually have to climb up and over the dunes and some 20 miles further would get to the south side of the dunes. It’s a hike I strongly recommend if you have a few days this summer.
I have described these four hikes above and south of Crestone but there are so many more. Hiking details can be found in a Colorado Gazetteer, Trails Illustrated map, or USGS 7.5 minute maps. Around here you can literally pick any drainage and find a trail up it. So, don’t take my word for it, go for it! Hike smart, be happy, drink water, breathe, enjoy.
Hot Springs
Great place to relax. Located in the north end of the San Luis Valley. http://joyfuljourneyhotsprings.com/
74 locals recommend
Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa
28640 County Rd 58EEGreat place to relax. Located in the north end of the San Luis Valley. http://joyfuljourneyhotsprings.com/
Another great Hot Springs nearby. Has a huge outdoor swimming pool, but don't miss going into the Greenhouse... Adult area with wonderful food and a huge selection of beers and wine. Relaxing, quiet, a tropical paradise with4 pools of increasing temperatures and a sauna. http://www.sanddunespool.com/
83 locals recommend
Sand Dunes Swimming Pool & RV Park
1991 Co Rd 63Another great Hot Springs nearby. Has a huge outdoor swimming pool, but don't miss going into the Greenhouse... Adult area with wonderful food and a huge selection of beers and wine. Relaxing, quiet, a tropical paradise with4 pools of increasing temperatures and a sauna. http://www.sanddunespool.com/
Remote, rustic, wonderful old hot springs. Clothing optional and make sure you make reservations. They only allow a finite number of people in per day. https://olt.org/vvhs
49 locals recommend
Valley View Hot Springs
64393 County Road GGRemote, rustic, wonderful old hot springs. Clothing optional and make sure you make reservations. They only allow a finite number of people in per day. https://olt.org/vvhs
The Mystic Rose Cafe open 8 to 8.
120 West Silver Ave, Crestone
Serving a varied menu, breakfast lunch and dinner.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g33378-d15670348-Reviews-Mystic_Rose_Cafe-Crestone_Colorado.html
A wide selection of tasty items on the menu, in addition to a large number of daily specials. Tsering, the owner/chef is from Bhutan and adds a Himalayan flair to his cooking. During the pandemic, open 6 days 4-7:30pm for dinner takeouts only. Closed Monday. Call to hear about the menu: (719) 256-4402
27 locals recommend
Desert Sage Restaurant
242 Baca TownhouseA wide selection of tasty items on the menu, in addition to a large number of daily specials. Tsering, the owner/chef is from Bhutan and adds a Himalayan flair to his cooking. During the pandemic, open 6 days 4-7:30pm for dinner takeouts only. Closed Monday. Call to hear about the menu: (719) 256-4402
Great place to check out the local scene. Great coffee, juices, breakfast fare and such.
23 locals recommend
The Cloud Station
300 S Cottonwood StGreat place to check out the local scene. Great coffee, juices, breakfast fare and such.
Our Food Is Art Restaurant
121 E Galena AveWonderful, hand crafted meals,