Thinking about planning an adventure with one of the Pagosa Springs hot air balloons? Here’s what to expect from the moment you arrive at the launch field to the moment your feet touch back down, including what the sunrise view actually looks like from a thousand feet up, how much it costs, what to wear, and whether the early alarm is really worth it.
I’ve always been a morning person, so pulling myself out of bed for our 6:45 am liftoff was the easy part, especially with the meetup spot less than five minutes from our condo. Chris and I climbed into the basket once our group’s turn came around, since the pilot split everyone by weight and loaded us in two shifts. The rise and landing were both calm and quiet, though the basket settled about a quarter mile from the nearest parking lot, and Chris ended up helping the ground crew wrangle the balloon the rest of the way in.
What to Expect on Pagosa Springs Hot Air Balloon Rides
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Booking hot air balloon adventures sounds simple until you’re standing in a field before sunrise wondering what actually happens next. This ride ended up being one of the highlights of my Colorado Road Trip to Pagosa Springs, and if floating above mountain views is your thing, it’s worth adding to your adventure bucket list too. Here’s the rundown from meetup to liftoff.
The Sunrise Meetup Time
Most Pagosa Springs hot air balloon operators launch at sunrise since that’s when the air is calmest and most stable for flying. Chris and I met up with Rocky Mountain Balloon Adventures at 6:45 am, and the location ended up being less than five minutes from where we were staying. The early start was easier than expected.
- Meet at 3505 West Highway 160, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Loading Up & Driving to the Launch Field
The crew makes sure everyone is accounted for before loading participants into two vans and driving just around the corner to the actual launch site, a spot this operator uses regularly for inflating and launching. The launch area sits in a city park next to the tennis courts, a playground, and a small mini golf course. Chris and I laughed about the quick jaunt and climbed out of the van to begin our adventure.
Watching the Balloon Come to Life
The balloon doesn’t just appear ready to fly. Watching the setup and inflation process turns out to be one of the more entertaining parts of the whole morning, fans, photographer and all.
Setup, Fans & the Inflation Process
Watching a hot air balloon go from a pile of fabric on the ground to something you’re about to climb into is half the experience. The crew stretches the balloon flat across the grass and holds the mouth open while large fans push air in to start the inflation. Once there’s enough air inside, the burners kick on to heat it, and the balloon rises upright in about half an hour, ready for boarding.
Being Grouped By Weight
Larger operators often split passengers into groups based on total weight, especially when there are more guests signed up than one basket can hold. A typical basket fits around 10 to 12 people, including the pilot, so if your group is bigger than that, expect to be assigned a flight order rather than boarding all together. Be prepared to share your weight when you book, since it’s standard practice for balancing the basket.
Photos Before, During & After Liftoff
While the balloon fills with air, a photographer moves through the crowd catching shots of guests holding the guide ropes, riding inside the basket, taking off, and later packing everything back up. The photographer stays mindful of safety throughout, only allowing guests to get close to and inside the inflating balloon when it’s actually safe to do so. Guests can purchase the photos once the experience wraps up, so it’s worth keeping an eye out throughout the morning, not just before liftoff.
Don’t be afraid to jump in and take your own pictures too. Just make sure you’re not in the way or hampering the work of the ground crew. Learn how to capture the once-in-a-lifetime moment with photography tips.
Related Post: 25 Brilliant iPhone Travel Photography Tips You’ll Actually Use
What the Flight is Actually Like
This is the part everyone’s really there for. Between the boarding shifts, the actual liftoff, and the quiet float above the valley, the flight itself lives up to the early alarm.
Liftoff & the First Few Minutes
Boarding happens in shifts to keep the basket balanced when there are more guests than one basket can hold. If your group is small enough to fit in a single flight, you’ll skip the wait entirely and board together. Otherwise, expect to watch from the ground while the first group takes off, with vans following along the road to track the balloon’s path so the ground crew can meet up at the eventual landing spot and swap passengers for the next flight.
The View On a Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride
On a calm morning, the rise above Pagosa Springs is quiet and smooth, opening up into a bird’s eye view of the entire valley ringed by mountains. Flights typically last 30 to 40 minutes, giving plenty of time to take in the scenery and snap photos before the descent begins.
Why Balloons Can’t Be Steered
Hot air balloons don’t have a way to steer left or right. Pilots can only control altitude, rising or descending to catch different wind currents that shift the balloon’s direction. Because of this, there’s no fixed flight path or landing spot, and the ground crew stays in touch with the pilot by walkie-talkie to track roughly where the balloon will come down.
Every commercial balloon pilot is also required to follow strict FAA guidelines when flying paying passengers, the same standard held by other commercial pilots, so the person guiding your flight has met real federal requirements, even without a steering wheel to hold onto.
Landing & Wrapping Up
Hot air balloons don’t land at a fixed spot, so the ground crew tracks the balloon’s descent and races to grab the guide wires as it comes down, helping bring it in for a smooth landing before swapping groups. Here’s how the landing, pack-up, and post-flight toast typically go.
The Landing
Landing spots aren’t precise since the balloon travels wherever the wind takes it. On our flight, the basket settled about a quarter mile from the nearest parking lot, which meant a bit of an unplanned trek to get everyone and everything back to the vehicles.
Helping the Ground Crew Pack Up
Once the balloon touches down, the ground crew works to guide it closer to an open field or parking area that is large enough for the balloon to be deflated and packed away. This process typically takes another thirty minutes or so. Chris pitched in to help since an extra set of hands came in useful, though the pilot would have had him step back if he’d been in the way instead. Hands-on moments like this end up being some of the most memorable parts of the trip.
The History Lesson & Champagne (or Orange Juice) Toast
While the ground crew works to deflate, roll up, and load the balloon and basket back into the trailer, participants are encouraged to help when it is safe. Once that’s done, guests load back into the vans for the return trip to the office, The morning wraps up here with a toast (orange juice or champagne, your choice) and a brief history lesson of ballooning.
Practical Details Before You Book Your Balloon Adventures
A few details worth knowing before you book your sunrise hot air balloon ride, from cost to what to wear to the best season for the view.
How Much for a Hot Air Balloon Ride
Adult tickets for Pagosa Springs hot air balloons are approximately $180; kids 12 and under are closer to $150, with fees included in that price. Tips for the crew are encouraged but not required. These fees will vary with different operators.
Best Time of Year for Pagosa Springs Hot Air Balloons
Rocky Mountain Balloon Adventures flies year-round, though summer and early fall tend to bring the calmest, most predictable morning winds for ballooning. Fall adds the bonus of aspen color across the valley, while a winter flight offers a snow-covered version of the same view for anyone chasing a different kind of photo.
Rocky Mountain Balloon Adventures also sponsors a hot air balloon festival every September, a weekend built around community, music, good food, balloon adventures and competitions, and fun.
What to Wear on a Hot Air Balloon Ride
I expected our sunrise flight to be chilly, but Pagosa Springs was in the middle of a heat wave, so the morning stayed comfortable even at 1,000 feet up. Temperatures can vary a lot depending on the season and time of year, so it’s worth checking the forecast before you dress.
What to Pack for Your Flight
- Sunscreen — since you’re exposed the entire flight with no shade.
- Closed-toed shoes — for uneven terrain and any trek back to the vans.
- A hat — since heat from the burners overhead can be surprisingly intense.
- A light jacket or layers — especially for cooler months or early spring/fall flights.
- Sunglasses — for the sunrise glare once you’re airborne.
- Water bottle — stay hydrated through the early morning and post-flight toast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hot air balloons safe?
Hot air ballooning is considered one of the safer forms of aviation, thanks to strict FAA regulations, experienced pilots, and constant weather monitoring before every flight. Operators will cancel or reschedule if conditions aren’t right, rather than risk a flight in poor weather.
How do hot air balloons steer?
They don’t, not in the way a plane or car does. Train pilots control altitude by heating or cooling the air inside the balloon, rising or descending to catch different wind currents that shift the direction of travel.
Why do hot air balloons rise?
Hot air is less dense than the cooler air surrounding it, so heating the air inside the balloon with the burners makes it lighter than the air outside, causing the balloon to lift.
How much does a Pagosa Springs hot air balloon ride cost?
Prices vary by operator, but expect somewhere around $180 for adults and $150 for kids 12 and under, with fees typically included.
What should I wear on a hot air balloon ride?
Closed-toed shoes and a hat are the two must-haves, since landing spots can involve a walk over uneven ground and the burners overhead can get surprisingly warm.
What time do hot air balloon rides typically start?
Most operators launch at sunrise, when winds are calmest. Exact times shift with the season, so expect an early morning meetup regardless of when you visit.
How long does a hot air balloon ride last?
Flights typically run 30 to 40 minutes in the air, though the full experience from meetup to final toast usually takes 3 to 4 hours.
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Up, Up & Away with Balloon Adventures
Chris and I have chased plenty of sunrises over the years together, but few have topped floating above Pagosa Springs in a wicker basket with the whole valley spread out below. Pagosa Springs hot air balloons turn an ordinary early morning into one of those trip memories that sticks, long after the vacation photos get sorted through.
If a sunrise flight is on your list, this is your sign to check availability and get it on the calendar, and while you’re planning, check out more things to do in Pagosa Springs or soak it off afterward at one of the area’s famous hot springs.
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Would you recommend this to someone with fear of heights? It looks fascinating, but also really scary.
It wasn’t scary for me, just a gentle rise up. I do not have issues with heights, so I can’t say for sure how it would affect someone with a fear of heights.
Sunrise and hot air balloons are such a magical combination. I’ve enjoyed the experience myself, just not in the USA, and Pagosa Springs looks like a stunning place to take to the skies.
A hot air balloon ride looks so cool. We had the chance to take one in Egypt, however opted out becuase our son has a fear of heights and didn’t want to do it and our schedule was already pretty loaded.