|


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 |