South Fork is a small, but stunning town located in southern central Colorado. This very underrated part of the state has some of Colorado’s most scenic drives, cutest towns, and highest mountains. While there are endless things to do here, a weekend trip is perfect for all of the highlights. Here is your 3 day guide to the fantastic South Fork, Colorado.
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Day 1 – Get to South Fork
South Fork is located on Highway 160, west from the San Luis Valley. However you choose to get here, you’ll have a stunning drive. If you do come through the San Luis Valley, a couple of highlights here include:
- Great Sand Dunes National Park
- San Luis State Wildlife Area
- Del Norte
- Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
Where to Stay
This tiny town only has a population of around 500, so anywhere you stay in this area will be centrally located. It’s also home to numerous cozy cabin rentals, so there are plenty of options for lodging.
- If you’d prefer to camp around this area, check out the creekside Park Creek Campground or Big Meadows Campground. Both of these options are located in a beautiful setting and within 20 minutes of South Fork.
After checking into your spot, which hopefully includes a campfire or riverside setting, enjoy a quiet evening before you begin your adventures tomorrow.
Day 2 – Drive along the Silver Thread Scenic Byway
Day 2 will mostly consist of driving along the Silver Thread Scenic Byway. This historic route runs 117 miles between South Fork and the Blue Mesa Reservoir. While you don’t have to drive the entire route in this one day, you should at least go to Lake City.
Stop One – Creede
Your first stop will be the mining town of Creede, a charming town that backs right up to a canyon. In addition to a underground mining museum, there’s also a historical downtown and several restaurant options.
- If you want an extra challenge, you can also drive to several abandoned mines on the Bachelor Loop, which leaves from Creede. This additional route is not for the faint of heart, as it requires a 4WD vehicle and serious driving skills. Make sure to allow for extra time if you choose to do this drive.
Stop 2 – North Clear Creek Falls
Following your time in Creede, continue on to find some of the more scenic viewpoints on this route. After about 30 minutes, you’ll see the sign for North Clear Creek Falls, which seem to come out of nowhere. Walk the short trail up behind the bathrooms to one of the most incredible lookout spots on the highway.
Continue reading on for the rest of the 3 day guide to the fantastic South Fork, Colorado.
Stop 3 – Lake City
Once you leave the falls, the next stretch of highway is absolutely stunning with grand views of the San Juan Mountains. After you have made it over the Slumgullion Pass, there are a few key overlooks that you should not miss:
- Windy Point Observation
- Slumgullion Earthflow Overlook
- Lake San Cristobal Viewpoint
Finally, after checking out these gorgeous viewpoints, you will arrive at your last stop of the day in Lake City. This attractive mining town is perfect for a picnic lunch or grabbing an old fashioned ice cream. You could easily spend an afternoon here admiring the shops and historical buildings.
On your way back to South Fork, stop by the lovely Cottonwood Cove Ranch. In addition to picturesque views, this spot is a relaxing place to have a drink or afternoon snack.
- Additionally, if you want to extend your 3 day trip, we suggest staying in Lake City for an extra night or two. There is a lot to do in this area, including renting a Jeep and driving some of the famous Alpine Loop 4×4 trails that start out of Lake City. These routes, while totally worth it for the views, require some serious 4WD skills and are not for the faint of heart.
Day 3 – Drive over Wolf Creek Pass
Undoubtedly, this drive is just as stunning as the day before, however, it’s much shorter. From South Fork, Wolf Creek Pass, along Highway 160, only takes about 25 minutes to reach. Plan to spend at least 2 hours on this section, as there’s a couple of gorgeous places to stop. Highlights include:
- Big Meadows Reservoir
- Wolf Creek Pass Summit
- Wolf Creek Valley Overlook
- Treasure Falls
After visiting these spots, continue on toward to your next destination or return home.
Enjoy South Fork!
Lastly, this guide is just a short overview of this incredible area. Obviously, there are many more roads and views to be explored that are not mentioned here. We hope you are inspired to visit this area and enjoyed this 3 day guide to the fantastic South Fork, Colorado. For more tips to Colorado travel, check out additional guides here.
Jonathan, Caroline and Queso