A Visitor’s Guidepost: Although South Fork’s official birthday was in 1992, the actual town itself has been around a long time, with roots in the railroad and logging industries dating back to the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad in 1882--but the town didn’t actually annex until 1992.
Located at the junction of Hwy 160 & Hwy 149 on the edge of the San Luis Valley, South Fork is the starting point and gateway to the Silver Thread Scenic & Historic Byway linking the towns of South Fork, Creede, Lake City, and Gunnison in Southwest Colorado. The Silver Thread Byway is 117 miles of scenic driving with stops along the way, including Bachelor Loop (where Disney’s The Lone Ranger movie was filmed), Wheeler Geologic Area, Rio Grande Reservoir headwaters, and over 255+ miles of trails and 17 miles of Gold Medal fishing. Stop by for a cup of coffee and check out the rest of the story at the South Fork Visitor Center, located right next to Town Hall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7DRKz-cTKA
South Fork Visitor Center
28 Silverthread Ln
South Fork, Colorado 81154
At Junction of Hwys 160 & 149
South Fork Fast Facts
• One of Colorado’s newest towns, incorporated May 19, 1992
• Current city limit population of 365 with an area population of 600
• Summer peak population reaches 3,500+ residents and tourists
• Located at the southwestern end of the San Luis Valley
• Visitor Center is located at the Junction of Hwys 160 & 149
• GPS 37°40’09”N 106°38’34”W / 37.669065°N 106.642829°W
Today’s Weather Forecast: absolutely perfect
South Fork experiences all of the four seasons. However, keep in mind the following saying, “If you don’t like the weather in Colorado, wait 15 minutes...and it’ll change.” Summer temperatures range from 40-50° at night, to 75-85° during the day and light breezes usually keep temperatures relatively mild. Precipitation is variable with an average of 15.8 inches/year, and 80 inches of snow/year. We are also blessed with more than 300 days of sunshine a year, making this an ideal area for outdoor enthusiasts.
Warmest Month - July - High: 91°F, Low: 50°F
Coolest Month - January - High: 48°F, Low: 5°F or lower.
Average Monthly Temperatures:
January - High: 34°F, Low: 5°F
February - High: 40°F, Low: 11°F
March - High: 49°F, Low: 19°F
April - High: 57°F, Low: 26°F
May - High: 66°F, Low: 35°F
June - High: 75°F, Low: 42°F
July - High: 78°F, Low: 48°F
August - High: 76°F, Low: 47°F
September - High: 70°F, Low: 39°F
October - High: 61°F, Low: 29°F
November - High: 46°F, Low: 17°F
December - High: 36°F, Low: 7°F
Important Numbers
Town Hall 719-873-0152
Visitor Center 719-873-5512
Police Department 719-873-1040
U.S. Post Office 719-873-5611
Fire Department 719-873-1030
Ambulance 719-873-5544
Community Center 719-873-0246
Carnegie Library 719-873-5079
National Weather Service 719-589-3232
Rio Grande County Sheriff 719-657-4000
Road 877-315-7623
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z8gzMop5Rs&feature=youtu.be