• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Towns
  • Lodging
  • Dining
  • Transport
  • Shop
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Towns
  • Lodging
  • Dining
  • Transport
  • Shop
  • Search
Rio Grande National Forest, CO
Rio Grande National Forest. Photo: Rio Grande National Forest. Photo: Doug

Rio Grande National Forest – near South Fork

1
SHARES
FacebookTwitter

Rio Grande National Forest comprises 1.86 million acres in south-central Colorado. It’s one of the more secluded national forest located around Pagosa Springs and Creede.

With so much space you can find what you’re looking for in the beautiful San Juan Mountains. Snowmobiling is excellent around Wolf Creek Pass, as is the skiing. Camping can be found nestled throughout.

Main Attractions

Sagebrush steppe west of Cochetopa Pass, Colorado

Cochetopa Pass – Saguache-Gunnison

Image of the Conejos River in Colorado

Conejos River – near Conejos-Manassa

Continental Reservoir – Creede

La Garita Wilderness Forest Road 787 Colorado

La Garita Wilderness – near Monte Vista

North Clear Creek Falls

North Clear Creek Falls – Lake City

View from North Pass, Colorado

North Pass – Saguache-Gunnison

Penitente Canyon, CO

Penitente Canyon – Del Norte

Platoro Reservoir, CO

Platoro Reservoir – Del Norte

Poncha Pass, Colorado

Poncha Pass – Poncha Springs-Villa Grove

Rio Grande Reservoir, CO

Rio Grande Reservoir – Creede

Rio Grande River near Creede CO

Rio Grande River Whitewater Rafting – Creede

San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway

San Juan Skyway Byway – Southwest CO

Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Stout Lake Colorado

Sangre de Cristo Wilderness – Alamosa

Santa Maria Reservoir – Creede

Silver Thread Scenic Byway

Silver Thread Byway – Lake City-Creede

South Clear Creek Falls

South Clear Creek Falls – Creede

Springs Creek Pass in Lake City, CO

Spring Creek Pass – Lake City-Creede

Stony Pass, CO

Stony Pass – Creede-Silverton

Weminuche Wilderness Colorado

Weminuche Wilderness – Durango

Wheeler Geologic Area, CO

Wheeler Geologic Area – Creede

Wolf Creek Pass, Colorado

Wolf Creek Pass – South Fork-Pagosa Springs

The San Juan Skyway is a 233-mile loop of Southwest Colorado passing through three national forests. There’s limitless recreation on the route. Another national scenic byway, the Silver Thread Scenic Byway is a 117-mile highway hidden away in the southwest of Colorado.

Along it’s journey from the Blue Mesa Reservoir near Gunnison, south past Lake City and Creede, it passes by natural landmarks, historic districts. Camping is easy to find the whole way. The Rio Grand Recreation Area is located near Creede.

North Clear Creek falls in Rio Grande National Forest
North Clear Creek falls in Rio Grande National Forest. Photo: Alex Berger

Activities: Biking, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Picnicking, OHV, Scenic Drives, Winter Rec – Cross Country Skiing, Snowmobiling, Snowshoeing

National Forests Grasslands Map
Map of 11 national forests and 2 grasslands.
Rio Grande National Forest
Rio Grande National Forest along the Silver Thread Highway.
Rio Grande National Forest, CO
Rio Grande National Forest. Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Rio Grande National Forest, CO
Rio Grande National Forest. Photo: jaygannett

Details

Nearby Towns:

  • Alamosa
  • Antonito
  • Blanca
  • Creede
  • Crestone
  • Del Norte
  • La Jara
  • Creede
  • Poncha Springs
  • Saguache
  • South Fork
  • Villa Grove

Map: Rio Grande NF (shown in dark green) (.png)

Motor Vehicle Use Maps: Large, PDF’s from the USFS. They show forest service roads and where dispersed camping is permitted.

  • Conejos Peak – West – Monte Vista, Alamosa
  • Conejos Peak – East – Alamosa
  • Divide – West – Creede
  • Divide – East – Saguache, Creede, South Fork, Del Norte, Monte Vista
  • Saguache – West – Saguache, Poncha Springs
  • Saquache – East – Poncha Springs

Rio Grande Campgrounds: Reservations

Website: fs.usda.gov/riogrande

Latest in Rio Grande National Forest

Continental Divide Trail Wolf Creek Pass

9 Hiking Trails by Creede & South Fork

Surrounded by rugged, mountainous wilderness, both Creede and its neighbor South Fork are a near perfect…

9 Hiking Trails by Creede & South ForkRead More

Camping Lake City CO Elkhorn RV Resort and Cabins

Camping near Lake City, Colorado

Lake City is a wonderful little alpine town hidden away in the remote San Juan Mountains.…

Camping near Lake City, ColoradoRead More

Silver Thread Campground

Camping near Creede, Colorado

Thirty minutes into the Silver Thread Byway from its southern start in South Fork, sits the…

Camping near Creede, ColoradoRead More

Great Sand Dunes Campground Colorado

Camping near Alamosa, Sand Dunes, and around the San Luis Valley

The San Luis Valley is one of Colorado’s most unique places, from its reported to UFO…

Camping near Alamosa, Sand Dunes, and around the San Luis ValleyRead More

Natural Arch La Garita Colorado

Natural High on Natural Arch

Seemingly, Colorado’s got a breathtaking natural landmark around every turn in the Rockies. However, some are…

Natural High on Natural ArchRead More

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. —and never miss out again.

Colorado National Forests

  • All Federal Lands
  • All National Forests
  • Arapaho
  • Grand Mesa
  • Gunnison
  • Pike
  • Rio Grande
  • Roosevelt
  • Routt
  • San Isabel
  • San Juan
  • Uncompahgre
  • White River

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Write For Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Resources
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Visit Mile High Happy Hour for Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Winter Activities

  • Camping
  • Cross Country Skiing
  • Federal Lands
  • Hot Springs
  • Ice Skating
  • Skiing and Snowboarding
  • Snow Tubing
  • State Parks

Vacation like a VIP! Leisurely Lifestyle shares life and travel hacks, as well as cheap luxury travel.

Copyright © 2021 · Uncover Colorado - Vacations, Travel & Tourism | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer