Colorado · Hiking

Rio Lado

3.1 mi
loop
920 ft
climb
9,124 ft
high point
Loop
route

Is Rio Lado open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in San Juan National Forest. It doesn't name Rio Lado, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · San Juan National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Rio Lado is a 3.1-mile loop hike in the Mancos/Dolores Ranger District of Colorado's San Juan National Forest, about 3 miles from the town of Silverton. The trail climbs from a low point of 8,107 feet to a high of 9,124 feet, with a total elevation gain of 920 feet. It is a moderate route on a natural-surface trail, and both horses and bikes are allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Silverton show July highs around 75°F with lows near 38°F, while winter highs stay in the mid-30s. The hike is open from June 1 through October 31 and takes about 1.5 hours to complete. Nearby trails include Section House, about a mile away, and School House, at roughly 1.2 miles. Climbers can head to Hillside Drive in San Juan National Forest, about 3 miles off, and West Dolores Campground is just under 9 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go

    Best time to visit Rio Lado

    No month here meets our mild-weather rule. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      34° / -6°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      36° / -3°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      43° / 6°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 17°

      9 wet

    5. May

      58° / 25°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 31°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 38°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      72° / 37°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 30°

      12 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 20°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      43° / 7°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      34° / -5°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Silverton, CO, 29.8 mi away at 9,285 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

School HousePhoto: Sale Family Memories, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

School House

~2 min drive

5.25-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 1,667 ft of elevation gain.

Rio Grande SouthernPhoto: cmirkin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Rio Grande Southern

~9 min drive

5.22-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado's San Juan National Forest with 198 ft gain.

Burnett ConnectorPhoto: cmirkin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Burnett Connector

~12 min drive

2.8-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 384 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Priest Gulch Trail

~3 min drive

15.24-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 4,513 ft elevation gain and loss.

Little TaylorPhoto: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Little Taylor

~8 min drive

7.44-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 1,707 ft gain and 10,242 ft max elevation.

HIKE

Section House

~2 min drive

5.52-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 2,036 ft of elevation gain.

HIKE

Pack Loop Connector

~5 min drive

0.88-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 446 ft of elevation gain.

HIKE

Calico South Trail

~3 min drive

24.04-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 5,954 ft elevation gain/loss.

HIKE

Rough Canyon Trail

~3 min drive

9.46-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 3,484 ft elevation gain and loss.

HIKE

Morrison

~5 min drive

5.64-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 1,671 ft elevation gain.