Hermosa Creek Special Management Area
The Hermosa Creek SMA is located within Hermosa Creek watershed between Highway 550 and the Hermosa Creek Wilderness.
“The purpose of the Special Management Area is to conserve and protect for the benefit of present and future generations the watershed, geological, cultural, natural, scientific, recreational, wildlife, riparian, historical, educational, and scenic resources of the Special Management Area.” - Hermosa Creek Watershed Management Plan, January 2018
General Information
Dispersed camping:
- Roads 577, 579, 580, 581, and 550: Driving a vehicle 300 feet off-road for dispersed camping is allowed if resource damage does not occur.
- Hermosa Park Road 578 corridor: Parking a motorized or mechanized vehicle is restricted to one vehicle length off of designated routes and spurs only (not 300 feet off the 578).
- Lower Hermosa Road 567: Dispersed camping is prohibited. Camping in this area must be in the developed campground.
Directions From Durango, CO:
There are two main access points to the Hermosa Creek SMA.
- Lower Hermosa Creek Road #576: Head north approximately 10 miles on U.S. 550. Turn left (west) onto Co Rd 201. After 240 yards, turn right to stay on Co Rd 201. Continue straight onto FR 576 for 3.5 miles.
- Hermosa Park Road, #578: Head north approximately 26 miles on U.S. 550. Turn left (west) into Purgatory Ski Resort. Continue onto Hermosa Park Road, FR #578.
Passes & Permits
Due to the SMA designation, special travel management rules and seasonal closures apply to the area:
- All users are required to stay on designated trails in the Hermosa Creek SMA; new routes must not be created when trails are impassable.
- All motorized and mechanized travel is restricted to designated roads, trails, and areas, year-round including bicycles
- Bicycle Use Map with Seasonal Closures: Hermosa Watershed Mechanized (bicycle) Allowed Use
- Motorized vs Non-Motorized Use Map with Seasonal Closures: Hermosa Creek Watershed Motorized Allowed Use
- Seasonal road closures apply to mechanized (bicycles) as well as motorized uses, with the following exception: Lower Hermosa Road 576 remains open to mechanized use year-round to allow bike access to the Hermosa Creek Trail. Mechanized and e-bike use of open FS roads within the ski area permit boundary will be seasonally managed under permit terms.
- For a full list of Hermosa Creek SMA Regulations, refer to the Hermosa Recreation and Travel Management Plan Appendix C.
Recreation Sites
Corral Draw Trail
Within the Hermosa Creek Special Management Area, Corral Draw Trail #521 starts at the Colorado Trail (Highline Trail #520), switchbacks down an east-facing grassy bowl, dipping into several gullies…
Dutch Creek Trail
Located within the Hermosa Creek Special Management Area, the Dutch Creek Trail is a multi-use trail that starts high and ends low. From Elbert Creek Forest Road, #581, the first few miles follows a…
Elbert Creek Trail
Located partially within the Hermosa Creek Special Management Area, Elbert Creek Trail accesses the Hermosa Creek drainage. From the Needles Country Store, the trail climbs steadily uphill on an…
Hermosa Creek Trail
**ATTENTION: MAJOR TRAIL DAMAGE 9/2922Hermosa Creek Trail has been damaged in the Hope Creek area, approximately 8 miles from the north trailhead and 10 miles from the south trailhead. Hermosa Creek…
Jones Creek Trail
Located within the Hermosa Creek Special Management Area, Jones Creek Trail #518 has beautiful views of the La Plata Mountains seen through tall aspen forest. Attractive meadows provide plenty of…
Little Elk Creek Trail
Located within the Hermosa Creek Special Management Area, Little Elk Creek is a quiet trail with beautiful views. During the first few miles, the La Plata Mountains and Hermosa Valley are within…
Lower Hermosa Campground
Site Open
The Lower Hermosa Campground has 19 sites. Although horses are not allowed in the campground, the adjacent Lower Hermosa Creek Trailhead has an area with a horse corral for overnight horse…
Pinkerton-Flagstaff Trail
Located within the Hermosa Creek Special Management Area, Pinkerton-Flagstaff trail is 8.3 miles long beginning at Forest Road 740, Mitchell Lakes Road and climbs to the junction with Dutch Creek…
Sig Creek Campground
Site Open
Sig Creek Campground, near Durango, Colorado, is a free camping area that offers a unique blend of seclusion and natural beauty. With spacious sites nestled close to the creek, it’s a great place…