Ever dreamed about staying a bubble dome, but haven’t had the time or the funds to visit some of the most famous ones in the world?
The good news is, if you’re in Colorado, the bubble dome experience is much more achievable than you think. Nestled closely alongside the San Juan River in Pagosa Springs, Colorado lies the Pagosa River Domes.
This affordable luxury getaway might be just the thing, whether you’re looking for a romantic weekend or some solo relaxation.
Let’s explore the unique riverside domes so you can plan your next trip.
What Are the Pagosa River Domes?
The Pagosa River Domes are an innovative lodging experience located just two minutes away from the world’s deepest hot springs. The river domes boast a geodesic design which offers unique and immersive accommodations to guests.
Guests can come here to connect with nature while experiencing the modern comforts similar to other luxury lodging options like Royal Gorge Cabins, the Brown Palace, and other experiences..
The geodesic design comes with sustainability in mind, making them not only pleasing to look at but eco-friendly. Unlike many other bubble domes you might find, the Pagosa River Domes are completely covered, while still offering ample daylight and views of the San Juan River.
How To Get To Pagosa River Domes
The Pagosa River Domes are located off HWY 160 just before you drive into Pagosa Springs. They are easy to spot from the HWY since they are right off the road.
Depending on how you travel, getting to the river domes can be a short trip from the airport, or a long roadtrip through the mountains. No matter the route, you’re likely to take vehicular transportation of some kind, unless you’re able to fly into a private airport closer to Pagosa Springs.
Here’s how you can get to the Pagosa River Domes.
From Denver (5 hour drive)
If you’re coming from Denver or flying into DIA, it’s best to take HWY 285 until you reach Poncha Springs. After arriving in Poncha Springs, continue driving on HWY 285 through Saguache until you see a sign for Del Norte, Colorado. Once you reach Del Norte, follow HWY 160 through Wolf Creek Pass. The road will spit you out right at Pagosa Springs River Domes.
From Colorado Springs (4.5 Hour Drive)
If you’re coming from Colorado Springs or flying into COS, take HWY 115 to Penrose Colorado and then follow HWY 50 through Cañon City all the way to Poncha Springs. Continue on HWY 285 like you would if coming from Denver until you reach Del Norte and take HWY 160 all the way to Pagosa Springs.
From Albuquerque (3.5 Hour Drive)
If you’re driving from Albuquerque, take I-25 up to Santa Fe where you’ll take a left on HWY 285 and follow the road until your reach HWY 84. Once you reach Willow Creek, take a short detour on HWY 64 until you can jump back on to HWY 84 again. Cross the Colorado border and drive until you hit Pagosa Springs.
From Four Corners (2.5 hour drive)
Driving from the Four Corners, take HWY 160 to HWY 491 until you reach Cortez, Colorado. Turn right on HWY 160 and follow the road until you reach Pagosa Springs. You’ll have to drive through town to get to the river domes.
Key Accommodation and Amenities
Despite the unconventional experience, you’ll find yourself curious to see just what’s inside your river bubble dome. The curtains are drawn until you can access your room, leaving that bit of mystery.
Reservations and check-ins are completed entirely online, so watch out for the email giving you instructions on how to enter.
There are a few types of rooms available for reservations including:
- Deluxe Family Dome
- Deluxe King Dome
- Accessible Queen Dome
Prices vary between $300 and $400 a night, depending on which dome you choose and the time of year you choose to go.
Each dome is equipped with various amenities that’ll entice you to never leave. Here’s what they have to offer:
- Kitchenette
- Dining area
- Solar fans and heaters
- Pendleton outdoor blankets
- WiFi
- Bluetooth speaker
- Fire pit
- Hammock
- Outdoor grill
- Full length mirror
- Shower
- Vanity mirror
- Hair dryer
- Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, and Lotion
The domes sit on personal decks, which are surrounded with solar powered lights. You can use a cart from the office hut in the parking lot to take your belongings to the room
You’ll enter the dome by inputting a code on a keypad, releasing you from the hassle of remembering a card key. Check in starts at 4:00 pm (despite what booking sites say) and check out is at 11:00 am on the morning of your checkout.
Staff is limited. So if you are locked out of the dome after 11:00 am, you may have trouble getting someone to help you back in. Be sure to remove all belongings from the room by or before 11:00 am on checkout day.
Things To Do In Pagosa Springs
Pagosa Springs is most known for and home to the Mother Spring—a 1,002 foot deep hot spring and deepest in the world. Most visitors flock to the area for this water activity alone, but there are plenty of other attractions and points of interest worth seeing during your trip:
Here are some of those attractions:
- Treasure Falls
- Chimney Rock National Monument
- Pagosa Springs History Museum
- Fred Harman Art Museum
- Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park
- Pagosa Springs Town Park
- Pagosa Springs Center For The Arts
- Kayaking
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Winter Sports
- Rafting and Tubing
- Mountain Biking
- Fall foliage viewing
- Summer events and festivals
- Shopping
- Yoga and meditation
Restaurants in Pagosa Springs
There is a wealth of great restaurants in Pagosa Springs from you high end steak dinners to your bustling breweries and pubs. With so many places to choose from, here are some of my favorites.
- Riff Raff Brewing Company: located right off main street as you’re driving through town. It’s in a house, believe it or not, so you might miss it if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Try the American Red or the Honey Blonde flagship beers.
- Alley House Grille: this is a great place for a romantic night out or if you’re just feeling a little bougie. Try their roasted quail, the ribeye, and one of their expert-crafted drinks. Simply to die for.
- Kip’s Grill and Cantina
- Pagosa Baking Company
No matter where you go in Pagosa Springs, you’re sure to find something delicious, even if you’re making it yourself on the deck of your river dome. I’ll give you some tips on that in the next section.
Travel Branyik Tips for a Perfect Stay
Everything was nearly perfect during our stay. However, there were a few extra quirks to staying in this dome that we didn’t anticipate. We also had some ideas during our stay that might make the trip that much more enjoyable. That said, we figured we would share some ideas
- Bring an eye mask: there are a few porthole style windows in the the dome to help bring in the light. With dawn happening at 5:30 am in Colorado during the summer, it was quick to wake us up. A good eyes make will solve this problem though. If you get a mask with a built in bluetooth, you can escape the road sounds happening too.
- Pack s’mores kits: the little fire pit on the deck is perfect for roasting marshmallows. We got some fancy marshmallows from The Marshmallow Co. in Australia to make it interesting, but you can visit the nearest supermarket to get your kits.
- Plan on grilling: outside on the deck, there is a pristine grill just dying to be used. It would be great to grill up some steaks, chicken or kebabs for a nice patio dinner riverside.
- Best times to visit: September and October are great months to visit because of the splendid changing Aspen trees and the cooler weather. if you’re coming through Colorado to get to Pagosa Springs, I would go when it’s easy to get through Wolf Creek Pass. Winters are a great time to go, especially if you’re going to the hot springs, but the pass can be rough if you don’t have four-wheel drive. Just take caution during the winter months.
Depending on when you’re traveling, be sure to pack clothes accordingly. You are in the mountains, so nights might be cooler than days. So stay cool in the daytime and bundle up at night. That fire pit will also help.
Achieve All Your Bubble Dome Dreams
With their geodesic design, eco-friendly features, and prime location near the world’s deepest hot springs, the Pagosa River Domes are the perfect destination for your next adventure.
So why wait? Plan your trip to the Pagosa River Domes and experience the magic of this incredible getaway for yourself. Whether you’re exploring the local attractions, indulging in outdoor activities, or simply relaxing in your cozy dome, you’re sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Happy travels!
