Ignacio, Colorado | La Plata County

Ignacio is a small community within the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. There are several places to eat, and shop, and a large casino in town to play and stay. It’s located less than thirty minutes southeast of Durango toward the New Mexico border.

In 2020, Ignacio had a population of 852. It sits at 6,453 feet of elevation in La Plata County, with great proximity to several outdoor attractions including Chimney Rock and Navajo Lake State Park. The town was incorporated on July 7th, 1913.

Main Attractions

Exhibit inside the Southern Ute Cultural Center in Ignacio — Beautiful indoor architectural feature in the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum in Ignacio, CO. Photo by: facebook.com/SouthernUteCulturalCenterMuseum

Navajo State Park – Navajo Lake expands for over twenty miles south into New Mexico. It’s located only about twenty minutes from town and is a great place to camp, fish, hike, and bike. There is also a marina that’s popular with houseboats and sailboats.

Sky Ute Casino – One of two Indian casinos in Colorado, both located in the southwest. This year-round attraction boasts hundreds of slots and table games including blackjack, Texas hold ’em, roulette, craps, and even a bingo hall. There is also a 140-room hotel and an RV park. A free shuttle connects with Durango.

Southern Ute Cultural Center – Year-round museum with colorful exhibits, guided tours, and a gift store with jewelry, basketware, and other hand-made items. This is a great way to learn more about the native people that occupy southern Colorado.

Recreation

field of grass next to a lake — A field with flowers next to the reservoir at Navajo State Park. Photo by: Colorado Parks & Wildlife

Camping –

Navajo State Park has 118 RV and tent sites, as well as three full-service log cabins across multiple campsites around the lake.
Sky Ute Fairgrounds & RV Park has 64 full hook-up sites and a large tent camping area as well. For an additional fee, guests can use the shower house with separate male and female facilities and a laundromat.
Sky Ute RV Park at the casino is in the northern part of town. There are 24 spaces with full hookups and access to the resort’s amenities including showers, laundry facilities, a fitness center, and WiFi. Only manufactured RVs and campers are allowed, no tents or pop-up campers.

Fishing –

Navajo Reservoir is more than twenty-five miles long when full. Due to its warm southern location, it’s open year-round for boating too.
Los Pinos River has a little bit of fishing but nothing spectacular. Head to Vallecito Reservoir for a better chance of catching salmon, pike, and trout in the warmer waters.

Chimney shaped rock — Chimney Rock spires. Photo by: Daniel

Hiking –

Chimney Rock National Monument spans 4,726 acres within the San Juan National Forest. It’s only about 30 minutes east of Ignacio and has several trail options rated easy to moderate.
Navajo State Park has 6 dirt and gravel trails around the park that wind through the wetlands and along the lake shore.
Mesa Verda National Park is an hour’s drive northwest of town but worth the trek. Explore the unique cliff dwellings on over 30 miles of maintained trails.

Skateboarding – Píinu Núuchí skate park is a state-of-the-art park for all levels of skateboarders. There are ramps, concrete slides, rails, and so much more.

Snow sports – Wolf Creek Ski Area is an hour and a half from Ignacio past Pagosa Springs. The area has 1,600 acres of skiable terrain with 133 trails of varying difficulty.

Accommodations

Hotel room with large white bed and sitting chair with ottoman — Classy room with tribal touches at the Sky Ute Casino Resort in Ignacio, CO. Photo by: Sky Ute Casino Resort

Sky Ute Casino Resort – Owned and operated by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and voted the #1 casino in southern Colorado for 9 years running, this is the place to be if you want to test your luck in the Four Corners region. Each resort-style room has an upscale feel with full access to the pool, lazy river, and fitness center.

Aside from the casino resort, there are no other accommodations in town. If you head about 30 minutes northwest to Durango there are several hotel options for any type of traveler.

Special Events

Four government board members standing in matching shirts next to a small parade float — Town of Ignacio board members at the San Ignacio Fiesta parade. Photo by: facebook.com/ignacio

Jul – San Ignacio Fiesta – The town has hosted this fun summer festival for over 120 years. Activities include a parade, mural painting, local vendors, and food trucks in late July.

Sep – Southern Ute Tribe Fair & Powwow – Annual powwow with various events and competitions. Compete in a tug of war or jalapeño eating contest or just stick to enjoying the concerts, parade, and fireworks. It’s held each September.

Sep – Ignacio Chamber of Commerce Green Chile Fest – Celebrate all things green chili at this anticipated annual event. The main draw is a community cook-off, with participants vying for prizes across multiple categories. There will also be live music, corn hole bag toss, a beer tent, and even some circus acts to round out the day.

Dec – Leonard C Burch Annual Memorial Walk – The former Southern Ute Chairman, Leonard C. Burch, is honored each year on a dedicated holiday with a walk/run starting at the community center.