The South San Juan Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area located in the San Juan National Forest, east of Pagosa Springs, in southern Colorado. The area, which spans 158,790 acres, was designated a Wilderness Area and put into the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1980 by the United States Congress.

The Conejos, San Juan, and Blanco rivers all begin in the area.

South San Juan Wilderness

The last known grizzly bear in Colorado was killed in the wilderness in 1979. Some believe that it is still home to a few grizzlies, but there is no sufficient evidence yet to prove this.

South San Juan Wilderness

Recreation

The wilderness area contains: 32 lakes, many peaks above , the highest of which is Summit Peak at 13,307 feet, and of hiking trails, that includes of the Continental Divide Trail.

South San Juan Wilderness

References

Wilderness areas of Colorado

San Juan National Forest

San Juan Mountains (Colorado) Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area Parks in Archuleta County, Colorado Protected areas established in 1980 Protected areas of Archuleta County, Colorado Protected areas of Conejos County, Colorado 1980 establishments in Colorado