South Fork, Colorado

South Fork, one of Colorado's newest towns, is located where the Rio Grande joins with its' South Fork, on the western side of San Luis Valley where the Rio Grande emerges from the San Juan Mountains. At the intersection of Highways 160 and 149 in the center of town is the beginning of Colorado's Historic Silver Thread Scenic Byway. The Silver Thread passes Creede and the headwaters of the Rio Grande as it winds its way through the San Juans to Lake City.

Although South Fork initially developed as a service community for the lumber and mining industries in the area, it has now evolved into a rapidly growing tourist and recreational mecca. For example, for the fisherman there are 47 tributaries and 500 miles of fishing streams between South Fork and the headwaters of the Rio Grande. There are 13 lakes accessible by car or short hikes within 20 minutes of town.

Hiking, biking, river rafting, and horseback riding are among the main activities taken up by summer visitors. Winter brings ice fishing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing with 165 miles of maintained trails. And a lot of folks come just to ski Wolf Creek (The Most Snow in Colorado).

With a good variety of shops, restaurants and accommodations, South Fork provides a perfect base for day trips to the historic mining towns of Creede and Lake City with their museums and the famous Creede Repertory Theater. There are 2 narrow gauge railways nearby and incredible opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Unlike its rough and tumble neighbors to the north, Lake City and Creede, which developed into towns overnight, South Fork gradually developed over the past century into the lumber and tourism center it is now. Prior to the arrival of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad in November, 1882, South Fork was a stopping point on the stage line on the way to Wagon Wheel Gap, Creede and Lake City. The railroad, however, brought profound change: cheap, reliable transportation allowed the residents to exploit the great timber resources of the area. Sawmills were built and trainloads of finished lumber have been shipped from South Fork for years.

Agriculture in the area also expanded with the coming of the railroad. A large amount of the rich agricultural land between South Fork and Del Norte was brought into production with cauliflower, lettuce and peas.

Today, the saw mills in South Fork are still busy. The San Luis Valley is a major agricultural region. And South Fork is in the heart of a booming tourist/outdoorsman/skiing area. The future is looking pretty bright.

South Fork is also home to the beautiful new Rio Grande Club, 18 holes of championship golf. This is a gorgeous, environmentally friendly course that winds back and forth across the Rio Grande itself.

• Elevation: 8,480 feet
  
• Average annual precipitation: 15.8 inches
  
• Terrain: Mountain and valley, South Fork is at the boundary where the wide, flat plain of the San Luis Valley juts into the San Juan Mountains
  
• January temperature: High: 48 Low: 8
  
• July temperature: High: 91 Low 58
  
• Days of Sunshine per year: 300+
  
• South Fork Population 2000 census: 604
  
• Rio Grande County Population 2000 census:12,413