Baño de Oro Trail

Vereda Baño de Oro

A short river trail past the old Baño de Oro pool and 1930s fish-hatchery tanks, crossing two creeks before it joins El Yunque Trail.

Moderate

About 221 ft of climb in 0.4 mi, with a river crossing.

0.4 mi each way0.6 km, measured by the Forest Service
30 min to 45 minRound trip, at an easy pace with stops
221 ftOf climb; the highest point is 2,346 ft
River crossingsUnderfoot
TrailheadPR-191 km 12.25, just above Palo Colorado
ParkingPalo Colorado lots

Reopened after eight years of repairs from Hurricane Maria. Open 8 AM to 5 PM. (USDA Forest Service, Baño de Oro Trail page (reopened, updated Mar 4, 2026), confirmed open by 787 Daily on the trail, checked Sep 28, 2026)

Directions to the trailhead Directions to the parking

Highlights

Baño de OroAt the trailheadA former swimming hole, now for photos

Where it goes

Distance0.4 miElevation2,118–2,346 ftClimb+221 ft

Trailhead, 2,118 ft0.4 mi, 2,346 ft

Easy
Moderate
Hard
Closed

Make it longer

Meets La Mina Trail at the trailhead, a short walk along the road. It is closed now, so it can't be added to this hike.
Meets El Yunque Trail at the trailhead, a short walk along the road. Carry on along it for up to 2.5 mi more, to Los Picachos spur.
Meets El Yunque Trail 0.4 mi in. Carry on along it for up to 2.1 mi more, to Los Picachos spur.

Build a longer hike from here

Up and down

Climb221 ftgoing out
Descent0 ftnone to speak of: it climbs all the way
Lowest2,118 ftabove sea level
Highest2,346 ftabove sea level

Good day to hike it?

Checking

Checking today's conditions…

Best time to go. Come early. The Forest Service calls the busiest trails congested later in the day, and it limits visitor numbers when the parking fills.

What to bring

Water
Shoes for slippery rock

What you'll see

A river
A river pool

Parking

Palo Colorado lots

Entry to the PR-191 North recreation corridor in Río Grande is free and needs no reservation. It is open from 8 AM to 5 PM, and the number of visitors is limited when the parking fills.