Rio Grande County, Colorado

[Canada Geese and Sandhill Cranes at Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. Photo: mark byzewski] Rio Grande County covers 913 square miles and is considered the “Gateway to the San Juans.” The population was 11,982 in 2010, and the county seat is Del Norte. The county is named for the Rio Grande (“Big River”), which flows through it.

Monte Vista is the county’s largest community and agricultural center located on the San Luis Valley floor. The Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge receives migratory cranes as they stop in on their annual trek. The newest town in Rio Grande County is South Fork, surrounded by the Rio Grande National Forest and a very quick drive to the most snow in all of Colorado at Wolf Creek Ski Area.

Visit the Rio Grande County Government website.

County Towns

• Center
• Del Norte
• Monte Vista
• South Fork

Adjacent Counties

• Alamosa – east
• Archuleta – southwest
• Conejos – south
• Mineral – west
• Saguache – north

Special Events

• Mar – Monte Vista Crane Festival
• Aug – San Luis Valley Potato Festival in Monte Vista

Popular Posts

Top 4 Cool Hotels in Del Norte – Explore the “Grand River of the North” and embark on an exciting outdoors escapade here in Del Norte, CO! The small town straddling the San Luis Valley and San Juan Mountains provides numerous top hotels and vacation rentals to…

Top 15 Cool Hotels in South Fork – South Fork is a gateway town to the San Juan Mountains, thanks to its strategic location by Wolf Creek Pass and the southern start of the Silver Thread Byway. Because of this, it has plenty of awesome hotel lodging to…