According to fashionissupreme, Arboles, Colorado is a small unincorporated community located in Archuleta County in the beautiful San Juan Mountains. It is situated at an elevation of 7,400 feet and encompasses a total land area of approximately 0.5 square miles.
The town was first established in 1892 and was originally called “Lone Tree” because of the only tree found in the area at the time. The name was later changed to Arboles which translates to “trees” in Spanish.
Arboles is home to fewer than 500 people who live among its picturesque scenery and breathtaking views of the San Juan Mountains. The town itself is quite small, but it offers visitors a glimpse into rural Colorado living with its quiet streets and friendly locals.
The landscape surrounding Arboles consists primarily of pine forests, which offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, horseback riding, and fishing. There are also several nearby lakes including Echo Lake and Navajo Lake that are great for swimming or boating during warmer months.
For those looking for a bit more adventure, nearby Wolf Creek Ski Area provides excellent skiing conditions throughout winter months as well as summer activities like zip lining and mountain biking. Other nearby attractions include Rio Grande National Forest which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, Vallecito Lake where visitors can canoe or kayak on clear waters surrounded by towering pines, and Chimney Rock National Monument which features ancient archaeological sites from Native Americans dating back centuries ago.
Arboles’ economy is largely based on agriculture with several farms producing hay, corn, alfalfa, wheat and other crops throughout the year. There are also a few businesses located within the town such as convenience stores and restaurants that provide services to local residents as well as tourists visiting from out of state.
Despite its small size and rural location, Arboles has much to offer both locals and visitors alike with its stunning natural beauty and abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities available year-round. Whether you’re looking for adventure or simply want to escape from your everyday life for a while—Arboles may just be the perfect place for you.
History of Arboles, Colorado
Arboles, Colorado is a small unincorporated community located in Archuleta County, Colorado. It is located approximately 30 miles south of Durango and is situated at an elevation of 7,213 feet. The town was first settled in 1881 by a group of settlers from New Mexico who were searching for a better life.
The settlement was originally called “Los Arboles” due to the abundance of trees surrounding the area. The name eventually changed to just “Arboles” and the town officially incorporated in 1894.
In its early days, Arboles was a bustling agricultural hub with many farms and ranches in the area that produced cattle, sheep and hay. The town also had several stores that sold general goods and supplies to local residents as well as travelers passing through on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad line which ran through town from 1901-1917.
Arboles became known for its natural beauty with breathtaking views of the San Juan Mountains and Lake Vallecito nearby. The mild climate also helped to attract visitors from all over to experience the fresh mountain air and stunning vistas.
By 1915, Arboles had grown considerably with a population of about 400 people living in the small community. However, after World War I ended, many people began moving away due to lack of jobs or opportunities elsewhere and by 1930 the population had dropped back down to only 120 residents.
The 1940s saw some growth once again as an oil boom swept through Archuleta County bringing new jobs and economic opportunities to Arboles as well as other towns in the area. This lasted until around 1970 when oil production started to decline again causing many people to move away once more leaving only around 50 residents remaining by 1980 according to census data at that time.
Today, Arboles is still relatively small with only about 200 people living there but it has become more popular as a tourist destination due its proximity to Lake Vallecito which offers camping, fishing, boating and other outdoor activities for visitors looking for an escape from city life or just wanting to enjoy nature at its finest. Despite its small size today, Arboles still has a rich history that dates back nearly 140 years making it one of Colorado’s oldest towns still standing today.
