San Miguel River
If you’re looking for a place to set your mind and spirit free, as well as get some much-needed rest and relaxation for your body, Colorado and its ever-changing, four-seasons climate holds a treasure trove of adventure you’ll put at the top of your next vacation list. Keep that free-spirited, free-flowing attitude throughout your time in the Centennial State when you plan activities and the San Miguel River, one of the last “free-flowing” rivers in the Southwest.
How to Get There
The official start to the trail is in Town Park. Since the river winds through town, you can access the river, trail, and its many activities from several different streets around town. With so many options on where to start, you can vary your path to fit your abilities.
The River
The river is a tributary of the Dolores River, rising in the San Juan Mountains just southeast of Telluride on its way northwest. It runs past Placerville and Nucla, joining the Dolores in western Montrose County near the Utah border. The upper section is steep, shallow, rocky, and mostly unnavigable, while the lower sections offer perfect conditions for various water sports. The river also flows right through town!
River Trail
The San Miguel River Telluride trail is an easy stroll the whole group can enjoy, and it can be accessed from Town Park, and many other streets around town. Follow the trail east and connect with the Idarado Legacy Trail featuring signs telling the story of Telluride’s mining past before continuing to the end of the box canyon for unobstructed views of Bridal Veil Falls and the operating Pandora Mill. Connect from Mountain Village Station Telluride Gondola and travel west on a two-mile graded path along the riverbank, to Boomerang Trail and cutting through the forest toward the Jurassic trailhead. Cut your route short and cross the bridge to the Telluride Valley Floor and connect with the paved bike path loop back to town.
Activities
The river itself is a magnet for water activities in warmer months. There are several feeder creeks and swimming holes where calmer waters prevail for activities like swimming, tubing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing, while other parts of the river feature Class II and Class III rapids perfect for a whitewater adventure. Land activities include hiking, biking, and more. Bring your pup to get some exercise, too!
Navigating Fun in Telluride
Enjoy all the fun to be had along the San Miguel, as well as other outdoor activities to make your trip to Telluride full of outdoor fun. As you plan your San Miguel River experience, and others, don’t forget to book a vacation rental with Lodging In Telluride. We offer everything from studio units all the way up to six-bedroom homes. Boost your energy with a home-cooked meal in the fully equipped kitchen or stretch out and relax after a day of river excitement in a private bedroom.
