Colorado / Conejos County

Platoro Cabin 1

Closed — Closed for the season. The cabin closes at the end of September for winterization and reopens in spring when snow levels allow road access. Reservations required through Recreation.gov.

About

Platoro Cabin 1 is located in the historic mining town of Platoro, Colorado, at an elevation of 10,000 feet in the Rio Grande National Forest. Originally built in 1963 as base quarters for Forest Service crews, the cabin now serves as a comfortable rental for visitors seeking recreation and relaxation in the San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado. The cabin features a combination kitchen and living room, a separate bedroom with two bunkbeds (single beds on top, foldout double beds on bottom), and a bathroom with flush toilet and shower. It accommodates up to 6 people and includes a heater, stove, refrigerator, and lighting powered by propane and electricity. The kitchen is equipped with a table, chairs, and cooking gear. Guests must bring their own food, sleeping bags, linens, towels, dish soap, matches, first aid kit, toilet paper, and garbage bags, and must pack out all trash. The surrounding area offers excellent recreational opportunities including fishing in nearby Platoro Reservoir, Iron Creek, and Treasure Creek for kokanee salmon, rainbow and brown trout. Hiking trails access both the Rio Grande and San Juan National Forests as well as the South San Juan Wilderness. Big game hunting is popular in fall, while snowmobiling, skiing, and snowshoeing attract winter visitors. The nearby ghost town of Summitville offers a glimpse into the area's mining history. Platoro is only accessible when snow levels permit, typically less than six months annually.

Directions

From Antonito, follow Highway 17 west to its junction with FSR 250. Follow FSR 250 northwest up the Conejos Canyon about 22 miles to Platoro. Turn left on FSR 250.6A and follow it 0.2 mile to the cabin. From South Fork, follow Highway 160 southwest for about 7.5 miles, turn left onto Park Creek Road (FSR 380), continue approximately 27 miles paralleling Park Creek. Turn right (south), crossing the Alamosa River, and follow FSR 250 over Stunner Pass into Platoro (about 6 miles). Cross the Conejos River using the lower bridge (FSR 250.6A) and continue 0.2 miles to the cabins, identified by yellow and brown siding.

Nearby Campgrounds