Attractions and Places To See in Saguache County - Top 20

Close to the trailhead, there are some nice campsites nestled into pine trees. Beware that these are also car accessible. Marshall Pass is therefore a good spot to get on or off the Continental Divide Trail/ Colorado Trail. The area around Marshall Pass is also a great spot for rockhounding. The volcanic landscape bears geodes, agates and other interesting specimen, if you are willing to carry rocks. :)

Unfortunately, the stream no longer carries water, as is the case in many places in the Great Sand Dunes area.

La Garita (or La Ventana) Natural Arch is different from many of the natural rock arches scattered around Colorado. Rather than being formed from uplifted sandstone as most arches are, the Ventana Arch formed within a magma intrusion called a volcanic dike. Lava from the Summer Coon volcanic complex intruded into cracks in the surrounding alluvial and volcanic deposits about 30 million years ago. Parts of the magma cooled at different rates and separated from the rest of the wall, and when the surrounding deposits eroded away, the inner part of the arch collapsed, leaving a hole in the dike. The end result was a 40-foot-tall, 30-foot-wide arch. From the end of La Ventana Road, a steep scramble leads to the arch, rewarded with views across the San Luis Valley to the Sangre de Cristo mountains and the Great Sand Dunes National Park. The arch itself is difficult to see from any direction except directly in front of or behind it, quite clearly from the parking at the end of La Ventana Road. If you want to scramble up to the rock wall, bikes can be left at the end of the road, ideally locked in an elevated position, and can be seen when looking back while hiking up. The arch is a sacred site for the Jicarilla Apache and Ute tribes and is still used for ceremonies. The arch is about 11 miles northwest of Del Norte, Colorado, on Forest Service Road A23, a.k.a. La Ventana Road. The road is rough rocky gravel, but doable on most bikes. Signs in the area point to the arch. When hiking to the arch, wear sturdy shoes with good grip. Caution is warranted when climbing to the arch and when descending. Loose rock requires caution and stable footing. To get to the Arch from Monte Vista – head north out of Monte Vista on Highway 285 for 18 miles to County Road G. Turn left and go west to the “Y” just past the La Garita Store. Take the dirt road south and follow the signs to the Natural Arch.

Highway 114 is the main access point to get into Gunnison and Saguache. Since the highway is pretty busy and winding in this area, it is not easy to find somebody to ride with though. It is best – and safest – to hike to the main parking area.

Highway 114 crosses the end of segment 17 on the CT/CDT. On this busy paved road, hikers can access two different towns: 30 miles east to Saguache or 40 miles west to Gunnison to resupply.

San Luis Pass is located in a ditch between two steep climbs along the Colorado Trail. San Luis Peak is not visible from here.

The Monarch Pass climb from the west, starting in Sargents is a classic and scenic road biking ascent on US Highway 50. Over approximately 10 to 11.5 miles, you'll climb around 2,750 to 2,850 feet at a consistent average gradient between 5% and 6%, winding your way up into the Sawatch Range. As the road is often cut into the mountainside, you'll ride through forested areas with glimpses down to Agate Creek below, and the scenery becomes increasingly open with expansive mountain views as you near the 11,312-foot summit. Be aware that while the road is good, it can have moderate traffic, and you'll be dealing with significant altitude as you climb higher.

Buck Creek Campsite is a great place to spend the night if you don't need the facilities of an established campground. It is just a short hike from Piñon Flats Campground and you will enjoy a lot more solitude and a stunning view towards the dunes. There are no reliable water sources, so bring all the water you need. The site has no toilets, so practice Leave No Trace. To spend the night here, you have to make a reservation via https://www.recreation.gov. There are plenty of nice spots, shaded and sunny, but a reservation is just accepted for one sole party between 1 to 6 persons.