The lower portion of the creek is flanked by the popular Colorado Trail, providing an outstanding recreational experience.  This trail is very popular, providing beautiful scenery, fishing, hiking, close to Durango, though still conveying a remote feeling. The trail also crosses the creek again in its upper reaches.

The portions of the creek away from the trail are extremely wild and remote offering an outstanding wilderness recreation and fishing experience.  The scenery along Junction Creek is outstanding, with the La Platas to the west and the Hermosa Roadless Area to the north. Numerous stands of old growth ponderosa pine flank the creek.