Trout · Rockies

San Juan River

Navajo Dam, New Mexico · USA

A desert tailwater packed with big, heavily fished trout. Success usually means tiny midges on fine tippet.

Year-round; best Mar–May and Sep–Nov

Target species
Rainbow and brown trout
Guide day rate
$575–6252 anglers, wade or floatSource: fisheadsofthesanjuan.comChecked October 2026
Trip style
DIY-friendly
Access
Wade & float
Public access
Good
Crowding
High
Difficulty
Advanced
Fly into
DRO Durango1 hr 15 min (ABQ Albuquerque 3 hr)

Getting there

Fly into DRO Durango, then 1 hr 15 min (ABQ Albuquerque 3 hr). About 55 miles (89 km) by road.

Open in Google Maps · Directions from DRO

Your browser asks first. Your location stays on this device; we don't store or send it.

More sources

duranglers.com

Also good in

More trout rivers

Trout

Arkansas River

Salida, Colorado · USA

Guide day
$695–750
Trip style
DIY-friendly
Crowding
Medium
Difficulty
Intermediate
Fly into
COS Colorado Springs · 2 hr
Trout

Bighorn River

Fort Smith, Montana · USA

Guide day
$725
Trip style
Lodge-based
Crowding
Medium
Difficulty
Intermediate
Fly into
BIL Billings · 1.5 hr
Trout

Green River

Dutch John, Utah · USA

Guide day
$699–700
Trip style
DIY-friendly
Crowding
High
Difficulty
Intermediate
Fly into
SLC Salt Lake City · 3.5 hr (VEL Vernal about 1 hr)