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

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
    • Year-round
      • Brewery Tours
      • Casinos & Gaming
      • Colorado Brands
      • Federal Lands
      • Food & Dining
      • Ghost Towns
      • Gondola & Chairlifts
      • Hot Springs
      • Mine Tours
      • Museums
      • Paintball
      • Public Parks
      • Scenic Drives
      • Shopping
      • Sports Teams
      • State Parks
      • Train Rides
      • Transportation
      • Wildlife
      • Zip Lines & Aerial Parks
    • Spring, Summer & Fall
      • Amusement Parks
      • ATV Rentals
      • Biking
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Drive-In Theaters
      • Fishing
      • Golf Courses
      • Hiking
      • Horseback Riding
      • Rock Climbing
      • Tubing & Paddling
      • Waterfalls
      • Whitewater Rafting
    • Winter
      • Cross Country Skiing
      • Dog Sledding
      • Ice Climbing
      • Ice Fishing
      • Ice Skating
      • Skiing & Snowboarding
      • Sleigh Rides
      • Snow Tubing
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
  • Events
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December
  • Lodging
    • Budget Hotels
    • Historic Hotels
    • Luxury Hotels
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Cabins & Glamping
    • Casinos with Lodging
    • Dude Ranches
    • Hot Spring with Lodging
    • Wineries with Lodging
    • Campgrounds
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Lodging
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
Downtown Rocky Ford Colorado
Downtown Rocky Ford. Photo: Billy Hathorn

Rocky Ford, Colorado

FacebookTwitter

Rocky Ford is a small Arkansas Valley town made famous for its cantaloupes. It’s located around fifty miles southeast of Pueblo and 10 miles from La Junta. Many of the buildings in town date back to the early 20th century, making it an interesting place to admire the architecture.

In 2020, the Otero County community had a population of 3,876 people. The elevation is 4,180 ft. If you love juicy, sweet cantaloupe, make sure to head out to this town each summer to pick one out.

History

Rocky Ford Colorado Welcome Sign
Welcome to Rocky Ford. Photo by: Billy Hathorn

When famous explorer Kit Carson crossed the Arkansas River, he named the area Rocky Ford because it was, well, rocky. A few years later more men followed the same path to the area and decided they liked it so much they started a general store in 1871. Because of the location of local railroad tracks, the town actually relocated about 2 miles from its original spot to be in a more convenient place.

G.W. Swink was one of the general store founders, and he went on to be an influential figure in the growth of Rocky Ford. He was the town mayor, founded Watermelon Day, and encouraged the community to build a sugar factory to diversify the economy. He helped the small, friendly Arkansas Valley town become what it is today.

Main Attractions

Red brick train depot
Historic Rocky Ford train depot from the early 1900s. Photo by: Jasperdo

Historic Downtown – Stroll down South Main Street in Rocky Ford and soak up its colorful past. There are plenty of historic structures, shops, and restaurants to discover. Don’t miss the Rocky Ford Museum, full of great exhibits and artifacts.

Rocky Ford Cantaloupe – These sweet, juicy melons are grown around Rocky Ford. They are famous throughout the state and are best in July. It’s one of Colorado’s most famous foods, so add it to your summer bucket list to find one of these magnificent melons.

Accommodations

Abandoned bottling building
Historic Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Rocky Ford, CO. Photo by: Jasperdo



Booking.com

Other than a 1-star motel in town, there are no accommodations in Rocky Ford. If you need a hotel nearby, check out the options in La Junta, only a 15-minute drive away.

Dining

Red brick building with a coffee shop on the bottom floor
The Coffea Shop in Rocky Ford, CO. Photo by: facebook.com/coffeashop

The Coffea Shop –ย Cozy spot for a caffeine fix, whether that be tea or coffee. They also offer baked goods to snack on while you enjoy the board games and puzzles they keep stocked in the shop.

Mas Que Tacos –ย You’ll find authentic Mexican meals at this no-frills spot in town. From their asada burritos to taquitos and tacos, you can’t beat Mas Que Tacos.

Dawggg House Bar & Grill –ย Locally owned eatery serving up massive burgers, unique hot dogs, and a variety of cold beer and drinks to round out the meal.

Special Events

Crowds of people at a fair
Annual Arkansas Valley Fair held in Rocky Ford, CO. Photo by: facebook.com/thearkansasvalleyfair

Aug – Watermelon Day and Arkansas Valley Fair – 4 full days of fun in the valley. Each day has a different theme, and the final day is a Watermelon Day celebration. A rodeo, livestock and crop contests, carnival rides, a beer garden, and a car show are just a handful of the activities you’ll find at this fair.

Nov – Arkansas Valley Balloon Festival –ย Historically held on the first Friday of November, this 2 day balloon festival features beautiful sunrise ascensions and other fun family activities.

Grand Theatre Rocky Ford Colorado
Grand Theatre. Photo by: Billy Hathorn

Activities near Rocky Ford

Landmarks:

  • Lake Meredith Reservoir (16mi)

Towns:

  • Avondale (37mi)
  • Fowler (17mi)
  • Karval (58mi)
  • La Junta (11mi)
  • Manzanola (9mi)
  • Pueblo (55mi)
  • Pueblo West (64mi)
  • Swink (5mi)

Transportation:

  • Bustang Bus
  • Pueblo Memorial Airport (PUB) (48mi)

Latest in Rocky Ford

Lake City Colorado Lake San Cristobal Overlook

Escape to these 11 Remote Colorado Destinations and Secluded Towns

If you live in a big Colorado city that’s seen constant growth over the past decade,…

Escape to these 11 Remote Colorado Destinations and Secluded TownsRead More

Olathe Sweet Corn Famous Colorado Foods

Taste these 11 Famous Colorado Foods

Food is the road to soul satisfaction. And when youโ€™re in a delicious foodie destination like…

Taste these 11 Famous Colorado FoodsRead More

View more Rocky Ford articles

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. โ€”and never miss out again.

Otero County

  • All Towns
  • Otero County
  • Fowler
  • La Junta
  • Manzanola
  • Model
  • Rocky Ford
  • Swink

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
  • Disclaimer
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

Cheers! Mile High Happy Hour shares showcases Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Winter Activities

  • Federal Lands
  • Ghost Towns
  • Hot Springs
  • Ice Skating
  • Ski Resorts
  • Snow Tubing
  • State Parks
  • Train Rides

Copyright © 2023 ยท Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise