Scenic Tours

Surrounded by 2 million acres of Rio Grande National Forest, take any road and you will find unique scenery, wildlife, flowers and more. The Visitors Center offers a driving map of 8 scenic tours - all of which are on unpaved gravel/dirt roads, but are worth the slower drive time! However, if you like paved roads and still want to see spectacular scenery the Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways program is a state wide partnership intended to provide recreational, educational, and economic benefits to Colorado and its visitors. This system of outstanding touring routes in Colorado affords the traveler interpretation and identification of key points of interest and services while providing for the protection of significant resources. The southwestern corner of Colorado is the home to 5 of the most spectacular scenic driving tours available, which can be found in the pamphlet Discover Colorado, a guide to all of the Scenic and Historic Byways in the state.

The colorful old mining camps of the Silver Thread Scenic Byway offer history, and scenic beauty. The mountains around Creede and Lake City remain strewn with abandoned mining structures, most of them accessible via rugged back country roads. Highway 149 shadows the upper reaches of the Rio Grande, serving up a bounty of natural wonders sparkling North Clear Creek Falls, the Slumgullion earth slide, and the shark like fin of Uncompahgre Peak. These mountains can be unforgiving so be prepared before embarking on any journey. For example John C. Fremont lost 1/3 of his men in 1848 and a quarter of a century later Packer cannibalized his companions in two ill-fated winter expeditions. The Silver Thread is 135 miles in length requiring a drive time of 3-4 hours. It features Collier State Wildlife Area, and Rio Grande National Forest. For more information on the Silver Thread contact; South Fork Visitor Center at 1-800-571-0881, Creede Chamber of Commerce 1-800-327-2102 or the Lake City Chamber of Commerce 1-800-569-1874.

The Visitors Center provides a map with 9 recommended Driving Tours in addition to the following options;

South Fork Area in Three Days

Day One: Take a scenic drive into the National Forest, the Visitors Center provides a great map of 9 tours, which will give you the opportunity to find abundant wildflowers, wildlife and spectacular scenery. Make sure you pack your camera and be prepared for some short hikes as the forest has many trails available for you to get out and explore. You might also want to pack your fishing gear and try your luck at any of the 13 lakes and many streams including gold medal fishing along the Rio Grande. If you would rather knock a ball around a course than catch a fish try your luck at the Rio Grande Club, an 18-hole championship course. (Other options include a raft or horseback riding trip.)
Day Two: Travel the Silver Thread Scenic Byway. This 117 mile journey will provide breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife, a diverse history, shopping and geology. The byway provides many locations with wayside exhibits, museum stops and photographic opportunities. Depending on your speed this trip can take an afternoon or a day. Although make sure you leave plenty of time to enjoy an evening performance at the Creede Repertory Theatre before coming home to your cabin or lodge.
Day Three: For more great outdoor scenery totally different than the mountains that surround South Fork start with a trip to Del Norte and visit the county historical museum. Then drive north toward La Garita and check out the Wagon Tracks, Natural Arch and Penetinte Canyon. On your way back to South Fork make a loop through Center and Monte Vista for a look at agriculture in action.

Fall Colors

Look to the deep green evergreen forest as it becomes splashed with golden yellow, brilliant oranges and reds of the aspen, cotton wood and oak brush, as mother nature makes her mark of preparation for the coming winter. Whether you are in the area for a quiet mountain drive, hiking, biking or one last fishing trip you will be amazed at the explosive grandeur of the ever-changing mountains. The brilliant colors of fall are also a reminder to area wildlife that winter is not far off. Making this a great time to keep an eye out for deer, elk, bighorn sheep, bear, migrating birds, and small mammals all preparing for the winter snow.
Tour 1 – Start with a drive up Hwy 149, the Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway. A 117- mile journey through the heart of the Rio Grande National Forest and the historic mining towns of Creede and Lake City. A milepost guidebook is available at the visitor's center for $1.00
Tour 2 - Go south of South Fork on Hwy 160 and turn left on Beaver Creek Road. Follow this road for 7 miles to the reservoir and then another 13 miles to Poage Lake. The first 5 miles is paved, the rest follows a dirt gravel road. For a full day this route also continues on to Summitville, an old gold mine site, and back through Del Norte.
Tour 3 – Take Hwy 160 southwest for 12 miles turning right on FS Rd. 410 toward Big Meadows. You can continue on this road for several miles after Big Meadows and reach Shaw Lake or another 11 miles to the trailhead for Hunters Lake a short but beautiful 1/3-mile hike.

For more information stop by the visitor's center and pick up a map of tour routes.

Winter Fun!

Day One: Wolf Creek Ski area with the "Most Snow in Colorado" is only 18 miles from town. Here downhill skiers and boarders will find miles of fun on 1600 acres of terrain for beginner to advanced riders. For non-skiers the lodge is a great place to read or watch the slopes, with great food and amazing views, or spend your time with a quick trip around South Fork's unique shops while everyone is on the slopes.
Day Two/Three: Once you have gotten your skiing and boarding in, why not try sledding. We have a great hill at our town park for toddlers and smaller children, with a larger hill located across from Beaver Creek Reservoir, perfect for teens and adults. Snowshoeing is also a great way to get out and exercise while absorbing the beauty of freshly fallen snow. The Silver Thread Outdoor Club goes on weekly outings and loves to take guests along. Another option is a guided snowmobile tour or if you have your own sled try any of the 250 miles of groomed trails. Trails start at 8500 ft. and go to nearly 12000 with lots of side hills, parks and meadows for play. Plus don't forget the best snow on the planet for a family snowball fight followed by around of cocoa at any of our local restaurants.
Day Three/Four: Even though we are famous for our snow, how about checking out non-snow activities like the history museums in Del Norte and Creede, or the Natural Arch and Penitente Canyon outside Del Norte The Alligator Farm and Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve are also all open year round.

Wildlife

Day One: Head north on Hwy. 149 along the Silver Thread, about 7 miles outside of South Fork you will find Coller State Wildlife area, which is a great location to watch for small mammals and birds. You may also find a few deer or elk in the late evening or early morning as they drink from the river. If you continue along the byway there are many places for watching wildlife. A guide to watchable wildlife along the byway is available at the Visitors Center.
Day Two: Take Hwy, 160 south 12 miles to Big Meadows Reservoir another state wildlife area, where deer, bear, and moose are easy to spot during the summer and fall, plus lots of birds and small mammals. From here you may also want to check out Park Creek and the drive to the Summitville gold mine, which is also great for finding elk and deer.
Bird Watching/Day Three: For a wide variety of waterfowl, and nest birds check out the Monte Vista/Alamosa Wildlife Refuges 30 and 45 miles from South Fork. Each spring these areas are covered in migrating cranes and other birds feeding on grain fields.

Basic History

The South Fork area is rich in history from all walks of life including Indians, trappers and mining camps plus ranching and farming.
Day One: Start your day with a drive down CR. 15 to Pfeiffer's Grave, then on to Del Norte for a look around the Rio Grande County History Museum where a multitude of displays will walk you through the San Luis Valley's unique pathway. A quick side trip might be to the old stone quarry just east of Del Norte.
Day Two: For a more in depth look at mining follow Hwy 149 along the Silver Thread Byway to Creede and visit the Underground Mining Museum and the Historical Museum. Finish the day with an afternoon drive around Bachelor loop.
Day Three: Take a drive to the southern end of the San Luis Valley and visit the Oldest Church in Colorado, Stations of the Cross and the Jack Dempsey Boxing Museum. (Additions to your tour may include, Freemont's Camp, or Saguache County Museum)