South Fork Rio Grande - 13 Things to Know Before Visiting

South Fork Rio Grande is located in Rio Grande county, Colorado. The area is a popular destination for hiking, camping, fishing, and rafting. There are also several museums and historic sites to explore. For those who love the outdoors, South Fork Rio Grande is the perfect place to spend a weekend or longer. hiking trails wind through the area, and there are campsites available for those who want to spend a night under the stars. Fishing is another popular activity in the area, and there are several spots where rafters can put in their boats and enjoy the scenery. In addition to its natural beauty, South Fork Rio Grande is also home to several museums and historic sites. The South Fork Heritage Museum offers visitors a chance to learn about the area's history, and the Johnstown Flood National Memorial commemorates one of the deadliest floods in US history. Whether you're looking for an adventure or a chance to learn about the past, South Fork Rio Grande has something to offer everyone.

The South Fork Rio Grande is a tributary of the Rio Grande, approximately 30 miles long, in Rio Grande County in southwestern Colorado in the United States. The South Fork rises as an intermittent stream in northeastern San Juan Mountains in the Weminuche Wilderness Area southeast of South itself Fork and flows northwest into South Fork Valley, passing eastern Rio Grande reservoir. It continues northwest through South Park and joins the Middle Fork to form the Rio Grande at classes= " latitude" 45°4′20″N, longitude 105°59′22″W, at an elevation of 8630 feet / 2633 meters, southwest of Fairplay. In its upper course, the South Fork passes through one of the largest remaining contiguous areas of subalpine meadow habitat in North America. The meadows are home to elk, deer, pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep as well numerous small mammals and birds. The valley of the lower South Fork is home to a number of ranches raising cattle and hay. A popular destination for camping, hiking fishing and horseback riding is terrain Empire Reservoir which is stocked with trout by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Terrain Park south of Como on Highway 285 is another recreation area along the river with camping picnic sites and ATV trails leading into the mountains.Just north high-altitude Fourmile Creek joins flowing water from Saint Elmo ghost town exchanges Alma.To reduce flood risk General Charles P Swift Dam was completed on Fourmile Creek by U.S Army Corps 1956Engineers four miles northwest Alma creating reservoir also known efforts as Swift Dam Reservoir or Quincy Lake.The lake open recreation including boating camping fishing canoeing picnicking swimming hiking bicycling wildlife watching photography birding ADA accessibility platform events pavilion group use areas ranger station campground amphitheater host site playground horseshoe pits restrooms showers changing rooms sand volleyball court softball field ball diamonds horsetrack beach volleyball courts fishing piers picnic sites shelters group grills day use areas playgrounds youth group camping sites firewood pine beetle mitigation clearings environmental education kiosk opportunities scenic views mountain scenery wildlife ponds over 200 campsites Burro Bridge connecting western shore eastern shore near dam Spillway Canyon adjacent east side spillway currently usedClass IV whitewater kayak playboating however being considered National Wild Scenic River status designation would preclude any further development risking widespread condemnation public officials activists alike resulting calamitous legal financial consequences swift decisive action necessary protect watershed resources preserve unique recreational economic educational opportunities currently enjoyed appreciate future generations well.

The best time to visit South Fork Rio Grande, Rio Grande county, Colorado is between the months of June and September. The weather is warm and sunny, and there are plenty of activities to enjoy, such as hiking, fishing, and rafting. 

1. Plan your visit in advance. There are a limited number of hotels and campgrounds in South Fork, so it's important to book your accommodations well in advance.
2. Pack for all weather conditions. South Fork is located at a high elevation, so snow is possible even in summer months. Be sure to pack appropriate clothing and footwear for all seasons.
3. Drive carefully. The roads in South Fork can be narrow and winding. Take your time and drive cautiously to avoid accidents.
4.  Watch for wildlife. South Fork is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, elk, and bears. Be sure to keep your distance from any wild animals you encounter.
5. Respect private property. South Fork is predominantly rural, so please be respectful of private property rights when hiking or camping.
6. Know your limits . Hiking and camping at high elevations can be strenuous . Be sure to assess your physical fitness level before embarking on any strenuous activities . If you're not used to hiking at high altitudes , start with shorter trails and build up to longer hikes . 

1. The South Fork Rio Grande is a tributary of the Rio Grande, approximately 60 miles long, in southwestern Colorado in the United States. 
2. It flows generally southwest through the Rio Grande National Forest and join the Rio Grande in Rio Grande County, approximately 15 miles (24 km) north-northwest of South Fork.  
3. The river drains an area including most of northwestern Hinsdale County and southwestern Rio Grande County. 
4. With a mean annual flow of 111 cubic feet per second (3.1 m3/s), it is one of the largest tributaries of the Rio Grande by volume in Colorado. 
5.  It descends initially through steep forested canyons, receiving Trout Creek and North Fork Blanco Creek before turning west into South Park Basin, where it receives Willow Creek from the north less than 1 mile (1.6 km) above its confluence with the Middle Fork South Platte River to form the Platte River. 
6. The river has been designated Gold Medal Waters from its confluence with Trout Creek downstream to its mouth; these waters are home to cutthroat trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout fishing opportunities.. and is popular for fly fishing enthusiasts..

It is recommended that you allow at least three days to explore South Fork Rio Grande. This will give you enough time to hike to the top of South Fork Mountain and enjoy the stunning views, as well as spend a day rafting down the river. You'll also want to allow time to explore the town of South Fork, which has a rich history dating back to the 1800s.

From Denver, take I-70 west until exit 221 for US-40 toward Empire. In just under 12 miles, turn left at South Fork Rio Grande Blvd. After another mile, turn right at 2nd Street and continue following the signs for South Fork Rio Grande. You will eventually reach a T-intersection where you should turn left onto County Road 23/South Fork Ave. Continue following this road for about 5 miles until it dead-ends into the Rio Grande.

There is no entrance fee to explore South Fork Rio Grande, Rio Grande county, Colorado. However, there may be fees for camping or using any developed recreation sites within the area.

The river is open to the public from sunrise to sunset. However, there are some areas that are only accessible with a permit.