"And they were told not to hurt the grass of the earth but only
the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads." Rev 9:4

Summer Recreation in or near Del Norte, Colorado
San Luis Valley, Rio Grande County
Page 1 , 2, 3

The Rio Grande National Forest (NF) is 1.86 million acres located in southwestern Colorado and remains one of the true undiscovered jewels of Colorado. The Continental Divide runs for 236 miles along most of the western border of the Forest. The Forest presents myriad ecosystems; from 7600-ft alpine desert to over 14,300-ft in the majestic Sangre de Cristo Wilderness on the eastern side. The Forest embraces the San Luis Valley, the largest agricultural alpine valley in the world and includes all or parts of four Wilderness Areas (South San Juan, Weminuche, La Garita and Sangre de Cristo).   The Forest also is the headwaters of the Rio Grande River and has the moonscape wonder of the Wheeler Geologic Area, established by Theodore Roosevelt in 1911. The Anasazi were visitors here and many of their sites remain.

Horseback rides and pack trips

Whether riding for a few hours or on a multi-day pack trip,  visitors to Central Colorado will find exceptionally scenic trails to ride. The national forests of Central Colorado have over 1,000 miles of trails in the majestic Colorado Rockies to ride. Many people consider this region to be the most scenic area in the nation. In addition to the national forest trail system, there are many miles of trails in other areas to ride. Wildlife in the forests are abundant; while riding you may see black bear, mountain lion, mountain goat, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, elk, and deer. The mountain wilderness also includes abandoned mountain homesteads and ghost towns, remnants of the original Colorado settlers, who came to the region to mine gold and silver.

Snow Skiing

   Wolf Creek Ski Resort

Golf in South Fork

Golfing is available 15 miles away in Monte Vista. (A New 18 hole championship course is scheduled to be open summer of 2002 in South Fork - 9 holes of a 18-hole championship golf course is opened, while the rest is under construction.)

Monte Vista golf club
(719) 852-4906
Rio Grande Golf Club
(719) 873-1995

Worthy Recreation Links for the area

   Creede Repertory Theatre
   Colorado Parks
   Colorado Division of Wildlife
   Rio Grande County
   Rio Grande National Forest



Information for this page courtesy of:

Del Norte Colorado Business & Vacation Guide
The most accurate, up-to-date and comprehensive information on  Del Norte, South Fork and the Rio Grande County area.  Also includes San Luis Valley Information and Links.

Love of Jesus is why we gather