The Piedra Road (FDR 631) leads northwest from Pagosa Springs into several remote parks and valleys. Numerous streams offer challenges to fishermen, and plentiful big game makes this a popular area during hunting season. Trails lead into the Weminuche Wilderness. Spur roads offer four-wheel-drive and ATV access to rarely visited parts of the Forest.

The first four miles north from Highway 160 are paved. The rest of the road is all-weather gravel. During dry summer months, it may be quite dusty. The road is open year-round and is suitable for most vehicles. It provides winter access for skiers and snowmobilers.

Bridge

Bridge Campground. 19 miles from Pagosa Springs, has 19 sites in a mostly flat, open area along Williams Creek. Plenty of large sites offer views of the high peaks to the north. This is a moderate-use area. so sites arc usually available.

Piedra Picnic

The Piedra Picnic Ground is 2.5 miles south of the Bridge Campground' just off the Piedra Road on FDR 635. It has five sunny sites adjacent to the East Fork of the Piedra River. Drinking water is not available.

The Piedra River Trailhead is across the Piedra Road from the turnoff to the picnic ground, north of the river bridge. A popular day hike will take you 2.5 miles to a footbridge over the river. The 12-mile trail continues along the river canyon to a bridge at the end of First Fork Road (FDR 622). Lucky hikers may catch a glimpse of playful river otters.

Williams Creek

Williams Creek Campground is four miles north of Bridge. This large facility has 67 sites and a good selection of sunny and shady spots, with a few right along the creek. This is a popular area which often fills on mid-summer weekends and holidays. Fishing near the campground is usually good in the late spring and fall, but only fair in July and August.

To get to the campground, turn right at the intersection of FDR 640, about three miles north of Bridge. The entrance is another half-mile from the road junction. A sanitary dumping station is on the left side of FDR 640 near the entrance.

Teal

Williams Creek Reservoir and Teal Campground are just a mile north along FDR 640. This large reservoir contains kokanee salmon and trout, and the campground's 16 sites are a short walk from the water. The surrounding peaks offer great photo opportunities.

A few large ponderosa pines provide limited shade, but much of the area is open and grassy. Only a few sites are suitable for large RVs. Teal, like Williams Creek, is a popular camping area, so plan to arrive early on busy summer weekends and holidays.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife offers fishing access through the campground to the dam. Although this end of the lake has no boat ramp, lightweight boats can be carried the short distance to the water. A Forest Service boat ramp is 1/2 mile north of the campground.

Cimarrona

Cimarrona Campground is 2.3 miles north of Teal, above the reservoir and near the end of the road. It makes a good base camp and staging area for hikes into the Weminuche Wilderness: several trailheads are nearby.

The campground has 21 sites; a few can handle large RVs. You can choose from sunny or shady sites; a couple are well shaded by spruce and fir. The campground is adjacent to Cimarrona Creek, with beautiful views of the meadow and reservoir to the south.

The road ends a mile beyond Cimarrona at the Williams Creek trailhead, where a pack animal ramp and corral are provided. Camping is not permitted. The trail leads into the Wilderness, following the creek for 14 miles before crossing the Continental Divide.

The Cimarrona Trail begins just across the road from the campground, winding its way for seven miles to another point on the Divide. The Poison Park Trail, which begins at the end of Poison Park Road (FDR 644), also leads to the Wilderness and several alpine lakes.

By following the Upper Piedra Road (FDR 631) past the FDR 640 intersection, you can enjoy a 29-mile (one-way) scenic drive. The first 23 miles are suitable for most passenger cars. There are large stands of aspen, spruce, and fir, with views of the lower elevations to the south and the high peaks to the north.

The Plumtaw Loop, a 35-mile round-trip suitable for most vehicles, connects the Piedra and Fourmile (FDR 645) roads through Pagosa Springs. This is a popular drive during the fall color season.

Move on to San Juan National Forest Camping

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