South Fork

With a location at the confluence of the South Fork and Rio Grande rivers, the town of South Fork is a basecamp for Colorado adventures, including fishing, skiing, hiking, ATVing, road biking, snowmobiling and much more.

This mountain community is tucked at the San Luis Valley’s southwest edge and remains one of our state’s unspoiled hidden gems. South Fork is the perfect jumping-off point for hiking, biking and backpacking in Colorado’s largest wilderness area: the Weminuche Wilderness.

The area — which is bisected by the Continental Divide — encompasses 499,771 acres of rugged peaks, glistening alpine lakes, wild forests and roaring rivers within the San Juan and Rio Grande national forests. Several nearby trails offer access to portions of the famed Continental Divide Trail (CDT) — a 3,100-mile route between Canada and Mexico. In fact, South Fork is Colorado's first designated CDT Gateway Community, and hikers who are members of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition receive discounts on lodging and dining in town.

Lodging is available in cabins, motels, RV parks and campgrounds. The area also offers an abundant restaurant selection, unique shops and galleries. The breathtaking scenery — particularly along the Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway — and family-oriented adventure will captivate and draw you back year after year.

Winter brings the "Most Snow in Colorado" to nearby Wolf Creek Ski Area. Snowmobilers, cross-country skiers and snowshoers will find endless miles of trails, plus ice fishing, sledding and ice skating. Summer and spring offer a multitude of outdoor activities, events, sightseeing, history, culture and relaxation. And in fall, the area explodes with color as the dark-green forest becomes splashed with shades of yellow, red and orange.