San Juan River Retreat

Details & Features

Comprised of 120 acres, the San Juan River Retreat offers a diverse blend of cottonwood-lined riparian areas, productive irrigated meadows and lush lawns surrounding the home. The hillside on the far banks features extensive evergreen trees, offering excellent cover for big game that frequent the area.

Approached through the impressive log entrance and gate, through a grove of cottonwoods, this custom-designed home sits along the beautiful San Juan River. From virtually every room in the home, there are dramatic views enjoying the woods, the scenic mesa across the river, and the snowcapped mountains. The secluded 3,100 sqft home was custom designed and built in 2003-2004. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ baths, a gourmet kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances, and a 952 sqft deck steps from the river that can be accessed from almost every room on the ground level.

The owners worked closely with a local architect and contractor to achieve a unique look. The exterior is sheathed in redwood and Corten steel, which rusts out to a rich, barn-like patina that seals and lasts. The Corten steel treatment was applied on an oceanfront award winning home in Big Sur that has since appeared on the cover of Architectural Digest. The living and dining areas have soaring ceilings with massive, exposed recycled beams, all fitted and dowelled by San Juan Timberwrights. The hardwood floors are a rich, antique pine imported from a farmhouse in Virginia. No detail was spared in the design of this spectacular house.

The San Juan River Retreat has been envisioned as a private fly fisherman’s paradise with a full mile of the world famous San Juan River running through the middle of the ranch. This is a “blue ribbon” freestone trout stream with private water on both sides of the river that is rarely fished due to its private location. Only a few steps from the owner’s deck to the river, 3-5 pound trout can be caught. During early “runoff” season in April and May, nymph fishing tends to be most productive. The San Juan is a freestone river with no dams or artificial obstructions upstream from the ranch. Larger nymphs such as stonefly nymphs, bitch creeks and woolly buggers are the ticket. The rainbow trout spawning during this time are fat and colorful. In June, the river comes alive with a huge stonefly hatch (salmon flies) that lasts all month. These huge flies create a surface-feeding bonanza that is impossible to describe. One float trip down the San Juan from Pagosa Springs to the ranch during this period can create the fly fishing memory of a lifetime.

The ranch is home to a herd of 75-100 elk and countless mule deer. It is also home to families of bald and golden eagles, a flock of 75-100 Canada geese, and a potpourri of other wildlife, birds and waterfowl. For angler and non-anglers alike there is the ever-present option of watching big game animals grazing in the meadows at first and last light, and to enjoy the majestic birds of prey soaring overhead.

The San Juan River Retreat is an ideal blend of high-quality fishing property complete with a well-designed and beautifully finished custom home balanced with lush irrigated meadow and inspiring surroundings. While private and tranquil the ranch offers easy access to the conveniences of Pagosa Springs and nearby Durango.

• "Blue Ribbon" Fishing
• 3,100 Sqft Custom Home
• Managers Home
• Hunting Opportunities