Platoro Cabin 1

About

Platoro Cabin 1 is located in the small former mining town of Platoro, Colorado, at an elevation of 10,000 feet in the Rio Grande National Forest. Built in 1963 as base quarters for Forest Service crews working in the surrounding areas, the cabin now serves as a getaway for visitors seeking recreation in south central Colorado's San Juan Mountains. The cabin features a combination kitchen/living room, a bedroom with two bunkbeds (single on top, foldout double on bottom), and a bathroom with flush toilet and shower. Propane powers the heater, stove, refrigerator, and lighting. The kitchen includes a table, chairs, and cooking gear. Guests must provide their own food, sleeping bags or linens, towels, dish soap, matches, toilet paper, and garbage bags. The area offers excellent fishing at Iron Creek, Treasure Creek, and nearby Platoro Reservoir for kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, and brown trout. Hiking opportunities abound in the Rio Grande and San Juan National Forests and the South San Juan Wilderness. Big game hunting is popular in fall. The nearby ghost town of Summitville, where gold was discovered in 1870, offers historical interest.

Directions

From Antonito, CO: 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, CO: Follow Highway 160 southwest for about 7.5 miles. Turn left onto Park Creek Road (FSR 380) and continue approximately 27 miles. Turn right, crossing the Alamosa River, and follow NFR 250 over Stunner Pass into Platoro (about 6 miles). Cross the Conejos River using the lower bridge (NFR 250.6A) and continue 0.2 miles to the cabin.