South Fork Area

Copyright: Unknown Silver Thread Scenic Byway

Attractions - Colorado's newest town, South Fork is located at the junction of the
Rio Grande River and its south fork. Highways 160 and 149 meet in the center of town, where you will find the southern terminus of Colorado's historic Silver Thread Scenic Byway. This route follows the Rio Grande to its headwaters in the San Juan Mountains and goes through the mining towns of Creede and Lake City.

Initially developed as a community to service lumbering and mining, the town is now the center of a rapidly growing tourist and recreation area. For the fisherman, between the town of South Fork and the headwaters of the Rio Grande there are 47 tributaries with 500 miles of stream to fish. Within twenty minutes of town there are thirteen lakes accessible by car or short hikes. The town hosts the annual championship Rio Grande Raft Races in June.

The town's variety of accommodations, restaurants and shops provide the perfect base for day trips to narrow-gauge railways, museums, historic mining towns, repertory theater productions and wildlife viewing. Centrally located between the Great Sand Dunes National Monument and Mesa Verde National Park, a visitor is only limited by their imagination and the length of time they can stay and enjoy South Fork.

This information is provided courtesy of the Rio Grande Tourism Board.

Recreation - Horseback riding, mountain biking, river rafting and hiking are popular summer activities. Winter brings ice fishing, downhill skiing at Wolf Creek Ski area ("Colorado's Most Snow") or snowmobiling and cross-country skiing along 165 miles of maintained trails.

This information is provided courtesy of the Rio Grande Tourism Board.

Climate - Mountainous terrain influences the climate visitors find in South Fork. Elevations range from 7,500 feet to over 14,000 feet at the top of several mountain peaks. In general, the climate at low elevations is cool and arid while the high country is cold and humid. Average precipitation varies from under eight inches at the 8,000 foot level to over 50 inches in some alpine areas. Snowfall varies significantly in the Forest. North Cochetopa Pass commonly receives two feet of snow in a year when Wolf Creek receives six to eight feet.

Summer is short and frost may occur anytime in high elevations. Annual temperature extremes range from 90 degrees in summer to 30 degrees below zero in winter. Rapid weather changes, with temperature changes of 40 degrees in periods as short as four to six hours, occur frequently.

Location - South Fork is located at the junction of the Rio Grande River and its south fork; Highways 160 and 149 meet in the center of town. The community is surrounded by the land of the Rio Grande National Forest.