• 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
South Fork Colorado City Limits
South Fork city limits. Photo: I, Pmsyyz

South Fork, Colorado

13
SHARES
FacebookTwitter

South Fork lies at the confluence of the South Fork and Rio Grande rivers. It also sits at the intersection of Highway 160 and Highway 149, which goes north to Creede. In 2010 there were 386 recorded residents.

The town was founded in 1882 and didn’t become a statutory town until 1992. In 1983 it was featured as a stop by Clark Griswold in the movie National Lampoon’s Vacation starring Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold.

South Fork serves as a gateway to the Southwest, sitting just before Wolf Creek Pass, which leads west to Pagosa Springs in about an hour. It resides at an elevation of 8,209 feet in Rio Grande County.

South Fork Colorado Aerial View
South Fork seen from the summit of Agua Ramon Mountain. Photo by: DrunkDriver

Main Attractions

Wolf Creek Ski Area – It makes a great base if coming from the east to ski at Wolf Creek Ski Area. It’s closer than going all the way to Pagosa Springs to backtrack to ski.

Silver Thread Byway. – It lies at the southern start of the Silver Thread Scenic Byway, which goes north to Gunnison. This is CO-149 and one of the prettiest byways in the state. It’s full of national forests and old mining relics.

Recreation

Camping:

  • Read about the camping near Alamosa and South Fork.

Hiking:

  • Read about the hiking trails near Creede and South Fork.

Accommodations



Booking.com

Hotels and lodging:

  • Spruce Lodge – historic 2 star
  • Read about the best hotels in South Fork.
2015-06-South-Fork-Colorado01
Highway 160 east through town.
Businesses.
The closed logger.
Former businesses.
West on Highway 160.
The Hungry Logger is now closed.
8200 Mountain Sports.
The Shaft Restaurant.

Activities near South Fork

Federal Lands:

  • La Garita Wilderness
  • Rio Grande National Forest
  • Rio Grande River

Hiking:

  • Lake Fork Trail

Scenic Drives:

  • Silver Thread Byway
  • Wolf Creek Pass

Ski Areas:

  • Wolf Creek Ski Area (18mi)

Towns:

  • Alamosa (48mi)
  • Del Norte (15mi)
  • La Garita (29mi)
  • Monte Vista (30mi)
  • Pagosa Springs (42mi)
  • Platoro (42mi)

Transportation:

  • San Luis Valley Regional Airport (ALS) (50mi)

Waterfalls:

  • Treasure Falls (27mi)

Whitewater Rafting:

  • Rio Grande River Rafting

Latest in South Fork

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.

Rio Grande County

  • All Towns
  • Rio Grande County
  • Center
  • Del Norte
  • Monte Vista
  • South Fork

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