Campgrounds are full, Jeeps and paddleboards are in short supply, and local outdoor recreation businesses are seeing more customers than past years, as people opt for trips to less populated areas with activities that feel safer and easier with the uncertainty of the pandemic.

While the San Juan Moun-tain region is always a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, demand has heightened during the pandemic. With people canceling flights and cruises, vacations within driving distance have filled the void for...