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San Juan Huts: Backcountry Adventure Hub

Explore Colorado's backcountry with San Juan Huts: hike, bike, and ski hut-to-hut through the San Juan Mountains. Adventure awaits!

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San Juan Huts, based in Ridgway, Colorado, provides access to unparalleled backcountry adventures in the San Juan Mountains. With a network of huts catering to skiers, hikers, and mountain bikers, it's a launchpad for exploring the remote and rugged beauty of the region.

A brief summary to San Juan Huts

  • Monday 9 am-4 pm
  • Tuesday 9 am-4 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-4 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-4 pm
  • Friday 9 am-4 pm

Local tips

  • Book huts well in advance, especially for peak seasons (winter ski season and summer mountain biking) as they operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Pack light but smart. Huts provide basic amenities, but you'll need to bring your own food, personal items, and appropriate gear for your chosen activity.
  • Be prepared for varying weather conditions. The San Juan Mountains can experience sudden changes in weather, so pack layers and check the forecast before you go.
  • Consider a shuttle service for convenient access to trailheads and hut locations, especially if you're doing a point-to-point trip.
  • Respect the environment and practice Leave No Trace principles. Pack out everything you pack in and minimize your impact on the fragile backcountry ecosystem.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    San Juan Huts is located at 618 N Cora St, Ridgway, CO. From the center of Ridgway, head north on US-550/Sherman St. Turn left onto N Cora St. The destination will be on your left. Parking is available on the street. Limited parking can be an obstacle.

  • Public Transport

    While Ridgway is a small town, public transportation options are available. SMART provides bus service from Montrose and Telluride to Ridgway. From the bus stop, San Juan Huts is a short walk. A one-way trip from Montrose to Ridgway costs $5, and from Telluride to Ridgway costs $4. All Points Transit Dial-A-Ride also provides pre-scheduled, door-to-door transportation in Ridgway for $5 each way.

  • Shuttle

    Several shuttle services operate in the region, providing transportation to and from Ridgway from various locations, including Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) and Telluride. Tellurides offers on-demand shuttle service from Ridgway to Telluride Ski Resort for $60-$130. Other shuttle services include Animas Transportation, Sunshine Rides, and Roadrunner Shuttle. Prices vary depending on the distance and service.

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Discover more about San Juan Huts

San Juan Huts, nestled in the town of Ridgway, Colorado, is your gateway to experiencing the raw, untamed beauty of the San Juan Mountains. Since 1987, they've specialized in providing unique 'hut-to-hut' backcountry adventures, allowing independent and self-reliant outdoors enthusiasts to explore some of the most remote and wild terrain in the Southwestern United States. Inspired by the hut systems of Europe and Canada, founder Joe Ryan created San Juan Huts to offer affordable backcountry journeys, fostering outdoor skills and promoting health and healing through nature. What began with five ski huts connecting Telluride, Ridgway, and Ouray has expanded to a network of 16 isolated mountain huts supporting a variety of activities. In winter, the San Juan Hut System offers over 60 miles of cross-country trails and access to phenomenal backcountry skiing. Skiers can traverse from hut to hut, enjoying the solitude and tremendous snow quality of the San Juan Mountains. In the summer, the huts support two 215-mile mountain bike routes from Telluride and Durango to Moab, Utah, traversing diverse landscapes from high alpine tundra to desert slickrock canyons. Hikers can also enjoy the Sneffels Traverse, a 33-mile route connecting huts through the Mount Sneffels Range. The huts themselves are simple but well-equipped, providing a comfortable and practical base for backcountry exploration. They typically include amenities such as beds, stoves, cookware and water. San Juan Huts' mission is to provide low-impact, human-powered adventures for the health-conscious traveler at a practical price, empowering individuals to connect with nature and comfortably retreat to wild places.

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