Photography Courtesy of Town of South Fork-Charles Craig©

Written By Kathleen M. Bush & Nichole Zangara

Located at the junction of the Rio Grande River and its south fork, where highways 160 and 149 meet, South Fork is the gateway to the beautiful Silver Thread Scenic Byway and headwaters of the mighty Rio Grande. The byway follows the river to its headwaters, before continuing on through the mining towns of Creede and Lake City. In autumn, the popular thoroughfare bursts with yellow, red and orange shades, amid the cool, deep green pines.

Surrounded by nearly two million acres of national forest, South Fork offers a multitude of historic, cultural and recreational activities. This charmer-of-atown touts Blue Ribbon fishing opportunities in any of its 13 lakes and Gold Medal fishing in the Rio Grande River and its tributaries. For those who prefer to watch or hunt than to catch, wildlife viewing and hunting in the Rio Grande National Forest has an abundance of large and small game.

South Fork's other adventures include Nordic skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, and skiing or snowboarding at Wolf Creek Ski Area's 1600 acres of terrain. In the warm-weather months, hundreds of miles may be explored by hikers and mountain bikers with numerous trails for all levels. If a little friendly competition is on your agenda, bring your clubs and try your hand at championship golf on the Rio Grande Club Golf Course. The course plays on both sides of the Rio Grande River and into the San Juan Mountains. Four-wheeling is "big" here, too. View the volcanic tuft of the Wheeler Geological Area or discover the natural wonders of the Great Sand Dunes (75 miles outside of South Fork). Aside from being an outdoor recreational mecca, South Fork is also home to the Little Britches Rodeo in June and Logger Days Festival and Craft Show in July.
LOCAL STATISTICS:
Location: 42 miles east of Pagosa Springs on Highway 160, Intersection of HWY 160 and HWY 149
Population: 604
Average Home Price: $120,000
Average Rental: $500-600
Median Age: 45
Average Household Income: $22,861
Elevation: 8,180Ft.
Median Temperatures: Summer: 90/60F Winter: 35/-5F
Days of Sunshine per year: 300+
Average Annual Snowfall: 120 in.
Founded: 1890
Industry: Tourism/Ag
Rio Grande County Population: 12,412
College: Adams State College and Trinidad State Junior College (Alamosa)

Visitor's Services:
South Fork Visitors Center
P.O. Box 1030 | South Fork, CO 81154
(719) 873-5512/ (800) 571-0881
Email: southfrk@amigo.net
Website: www.southfork.org

Attractions/Services:
Beaver Creek Reservoir
Col. Pfieffer's Grave
Rio Grande County Museum
Rio Grande National Forest
Rio Grande Club Golf Course
Wheeler Geological Area
Wolf Creek Ski Area

Calendar of Events:
Parade, Fireworks, Street Dance
July 4

Logger Days
July 17-18

Kitchen in July Tours
July 8

South Fork Trade Days
June 18-19

Christmas Home Tours
December 4-5

Bingo
Tuesdays and Fridays,
June through August

Headwaters to the Mighty Rio Grande!