Culebra Creek runs from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Southern Colorado for 30 miles until it empties into the River Grande River. It’s also known as the Culebra River, or in Spanish, the Rio de la Culebra.
It crosses parts of the San Luis Valley, a vast high country valley that spans into New Mexico. The river has long been used for irrigation canals by Hispanic settlers in the 1800s, which are still in use in places today.
Culebra Peak (14,052 feet) and De Anza Peak (13,340 feet) are considered the highest sources of water fueling Culebra Creek. It runs into the Rio Grande River west of San Luis, Colorado’s oldest continuously inhabited town.
Also, in San Luis, the historic San Luis Bridge crosses over Culebra Creek. It’s now a pedestrian and bicycle-only bridge.
Details
Location: Costilla County, Southern Colorado
Passes through:
Tributary to: Rio Grande River
Length: 30 miles (48 km)