Tucked into the heart of the San Juan Mountains in southern Colorado near Wolf Creek Pass, the town of South Fork offers some of the most scenic and adventure-filled experiences in Colorado. Perfect for family Colorado vacations, South Fork CO is the place for a relaxing Colorado trip of unique experiences, beautiful Rio Grande Fishing, and San Juan Mountain views.
From hiking through volcanic ash formations and fishing the Rio Grande to riding Colorado railbikes and relaxing, there are endless things to do in South Fork and the nearby towns of Del Norte and Creede, Colorado. Whether you’re visiting in the summer or winter, these hidden gems offer year-round activities surrounded by mountain views and small-town charm.
Here are 30 of the best things to do in and around South Fork and Creede—organized by direction from South Fork, with distance, typical cost, and direct links for planning.
Go Fishing on the Rio Grande
Relaxing in Colorado means fishing! If you’re new to the sport of fishing or want to learn to fly fish, there are plenty of fishing guides ready for you. South Fork even has An Angler’s Bookcase – a coffee shop and bookstore dedicated to fishing books. They’re serious about their fishing around here!
If you’re wise enough to stay at a house or campground – like at Riverbend Resort – you will be able to walk right down to the South Fork of the Rio Grande without driving elsewhere. Yes, you will still need a Colorado fishing license from Doc’s Outdoor Sports or Rainbow Grocery and Sporting Goods.
If you’re a newbie to river fishing or want to sharpen some fly fishing skills, consider getting a specialized tour guide. If you want a calm beautiful lake fishing, don’t overlook the nearby Tucker Ponds or Big Meadows Reservoir.
Explore South Fork
Railbiking with Revolution Rail Co.
Railbiking in South Fork was the highlight of our recent family trip to South Fork, Colorado. Revolution Rail Company (RevRail) in South Fork, Colorado, delivers a jaw-dropping outdoor adventure for families of all ages. Set along the historic Rio Grande Railroad between Wolf Creek Pass and Creede, the railbike tour weaves through meadows, pine forests, and river canyons framed by the San Juan Mountains.
The South Fork rail bike experience with Revolution Rail extends far beyond the ride. With pedal-powered rail bikes that are stable and accessible—even for kids, beginners, and seniors—this trip offers immersive nature views without needing biking experience or off-road gear. There are multiple tour options, including the “Rio Grande Run” (a round-trip pedal ride), a “Pedals & Paddles” combo that adds guided rafting, twilight rides, and private group excursions.
Whether it’s a half-day outing or part of a longer Colorado road trip, Revolution Rail is a memorable way to mix adventure, learning, and scenic beauty for travelers and homeschoolers alike.
~~~> Read all about our full railbiking adventure with Revolution Rail in South Fork here. All you need to plan a family rail bike trip through with a mountain view.
Eat Mexican Food
Nestled right off Highway 160, Ramon’s Mexican Restaurant is South Fork’s go-to spot for hearty, authentic Mexican fare in a warm, family-friendly setting. Their menu features fresh-made fajitas, tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and combination plates served with rice, beans, and all the satisfying classics, plus daily specials and a full bar where you can unwind with margaritas or cervezas.
With generous portion sizes and a laid-back atmosphere, it’s perfect for Colorado road trippers craving comfort food, kid-friendly options, or a flavorful break after exploring the areas around Rio Grande Railroad.
Hint: If you’re coming for Sunday lunch, come early! This place gets packed.
Eat a Burger in South Fork
South Fork restaurants have lots of offer when it comes to having a hamburger!
Looking for a big, sit down burger place? Head to Gone Rogue where you have to get there before they run out of clam chowder, burger patties, catfish, or onion rings. These portions are big, and they run out because it’s good. Located right near Outdoor Depot, combine this with some South Fork souvenir shopping.
Although there aren’t any fast food burger options in South Fork, you can get close with a smash burger and fries from South Fork Eats. It’s a small food truck with some covered picnic tables, but my some of my kids voted it their favorite. You can find a similar burger at the Malt Shoppe (but it’s expensive!).
~~~> Do you travel from burger to burger? Make sure you add a Creede road trip to your South Fork plan so you can have a historic burger from Freemon’s Ranch.
Ice Cream from South Fork Malt Shoppe
The South Fork Malt Shoppe, a beloved local institution in South Fork, Colorado, has been delighting visitors with classic American fare for over 50 years. I have been eating soft serve ice cream at the Malt Shoppe my whole life! With a new building, there are indoor and outdoor eating areas whether you’re coming for a burger meal or just an ice cream snack.
Located on the South Fork’s main US Hwy 160, it’s a welcoming spot for families and travelers alike. The menu features a variety of comfort food favorites, including juicy burgers, crispy fries, and creamy milkshakes and malts in an array of flavors. The shop is open year-round, ensuring that whether you’re passing through during summer adventures or winter escapades, a delicious meal and treat are always within reach.
Shopping in South Fork, Colorado
South Fork is a great stop to grab some souvenirs. With several South Fork stores to choose from, our favorite is Outdoor Depot that has a ton of gifts to offer. If you’re headed out on a hiking or camping trip, grab some supplies here. This is also the place to stock up on Christmas gifts for back home. The kids will love the kid section with little toys and unique books. There are sections that are dog-themed, local crafts, and souvenir South Fork shirts and hats.
While one side of Outdoor Depot is shopping, the additional building is the headquarters for all the rentals with UTV and ATVs ready for you to explore the San Juan mountains. Stop by the nearby Malt Shoppe for ice cream.
As the stores and restaurants of South Fork are spread out around the highways, you will have to drive around. If you’re looking for a walkable small town Colorado for shopping, check out nearby Creede (and my full Creede guide).
East of South Fork
The relatively flat drive east from South Fork takes you further away from the mountains as the mountains are off in the distance. Only miles after the east edge of South Fork, start looking on the right side of the road for ELKUSA and a possible buffalo sighting. Take the family sand sledding at the Great Sand Dunes or go bird watching at the refuge. Stop off in Del Norte for food and shopping on your way!
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Take a straight drive east of South Fork past Del Norte for an hour, and you’ll reach my family’s favorite Colorado adventure. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in southern Colorado is a must-visit destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, the park offers unique activities like sandboarding, sand sledding, and hiking across its towering dunes.
Families can enjoy picnicking, stargazing under dark skies, and educational exploration of the park’s natural and geological features. This park is perfect for your Colorado road trips, or combine it with a bigger southwest road trip (like this Yellowstone road trip). The combination of breathtaking scenery, interactive activities, and easy accessibility makes it one of the top adventure destinations in Colorado. Medano Creek adds a fun, wading-friendly element during spring and early summer, providing kids with a hands-on experience in nature.
~~~> For full information about planning a fun day trip to Great Sand Dunes, head to my full post “Great Sand Dunes: Essential Information for an Epic Colorado Trip.” Here’s everything you need including cost, packing list, and board rental info to sled down the dunes.
Visiting the Animals at ElkUSA
Grab some unique food gifts or some elk/ bison / deer meet at ElkUSA where you can also get up close to the animals. This is a great little (free!) stop off to browse and explore – including a giant wall of antlers. Not to mention, go support the local ranch!
Watch Migrating Birds in Monte Vista
About thirty minutes from South Fork, one of the best places for bird watching is the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. Although I can’t speak from personal experience, this sounds like a peaceful way to spend the day… Looking for the sandhill cranes who migrate through every year. And it’s free!
Shopping in Del Norte
This small town is our go-to for buying groceries at Lowe’s Market due to the lack of good options in South Fork. While there, grab a slice of gourmet pizza at the Three Barrels Brewery. Head next door for Haefeli’s Honey and drive down the road for some antique shops like at Golden Fleece Antiques
Pizza in Del Norte
The go-to pizza spot from South Fork for my family vacation is Three Barrel Brewing Company, located just over in Del Norte. Their wood-fired 10-inch pizzas aren’t your typical pizzas. Think artisan crusts with creative toppings like pulled chicken and red onion on a tangy BBQ base. These pair perfectly with their house-brewed beers and rooters in a cozy, laid-back setting. This is a great place to eat outside on the patio in some beautiful Colorado summer weather.
South of South Fork
Heading south out of South Fork on US-160 E, you will pass by RiverBend Resort before coming upon Tucker Ponds (left) and Big Meadows Reservoir (right) before going through the tunnel. The Lobo Lookout (right) makes a great detour before reaching the Continental Divide with a view in front of the Wolf Creek Ski Area. The incline of the forested mountain drive here isn’t too steep, but getting down to Pagosa Springs is!
Wolf Creek Ski Area
In the winter, Wolf Creek is known as a super-family friendly ski resort. Although there aren’t any ski lodges or resorts up at Wolf Creek Ski area, many skiers chose to stay at lodges or cabins in thirty minutes away in South Fork. Unlike other Colorado ski areas which have summer activities, there isn’t anything to do at Wolf Creek other than drive up Wolf Creek Pass and enjoy the scenery.
Wolf Creek Ski Area is one of Colorado’s most special winter destinations—renowned for its staggering natural snowfall of more than 400 inches annually, among the highest in the state. With a summit of almost 12,000 feet, Wolf Creek Ski Area offers a level for everyone from beginner to expert. What makes Wolf Creek stand out, aside from the natural snow, is its low-crowd, family-friendly vibe, and affordable lift tickets.
~~~> If your trip south is taking you even further, I highly recommend you visit Mesa Verde National Park located in the southwest corner of Colorado. Amazing ancient US history!
Big Meadows Reservoir
Big Meadows Reservoir, about 11 miles west of South Fork, CO on the Wolf Creek Pass highway, is a scenic high-country lake surrounded by the San Juan Mountains. Ideal for fishing on the shore or boating across in a kayak, Big Meadows is idea for a weekend day trip into nature. The Big Meadows campground offers tent and RV sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and water as well as pit potties.
Bring your folding chair and hike around the shoreline to find a quiet place for a couple of hours. Fishermen can catch rainbow, brown, and brook trout while day hikers can walk around the lake or hike the Cascade Falls trail from the campground. The Archuleta Trail takes you around the reservoir before leading into the Weminuche Wilderness for hiking and wildlife viewing.
Big Meadows Reservoir is the campground of my husband’s childhood and some of his favorite Colorado hiking area. This is a quiet place to bring your kayak for fishing or just floating. Look for marmots on the way into the park, moose out in the marshy area, or bald eagles flying above the lake. There’s a path around the lake for a relaxing walk tor spreading out from other guests.
Tucker Ponds
Turn off the main highway and take a 10 minute dirt road drive to arrive at the two Tucker Ponds. You’ll find a parking lot, pit potty, and two small ponds connected by a man-made dam. Fish either one by walking on the path around the lakes. This can be a more popular place, so although tending toward quiet, you probably won’t be alone.
Lobo Pass Overlook
Before you get to the Continental Divide sign or to the Wolf Creek Ski area, there’s a mountain-top view of all the surrounding mountains. But… You have to know where to go! There’s a sign off to the right side of the road as you head up the pass marked as a scenic drive. If you’ve gotten to the signs for the Continental Divide, you went a bit too far.
Located at the site of antennae and monitoring station, this is a 360 degree view from the top of the mountain. Most likely, you’ll be the only one up here. There’s even a very clean pit potty at the parking lot and a picnic table area. With small trails around the peak, you can wander a bit, but there isn’t much to do here other than relax and enjoy the view. In the fall, this is an amazing view of all the fall colors, and you can look down at the Wolf Creek Ski area.
Continental Divide
Take a drive from South Fork toward Pagosa Springs. After you take a detour for the view from Lobo Pass, stop at the Continental Divide signs and learn about the flow of the river as it heads all the way east to the Mighty Mississippi. If you’re early enough in the summer, you might also find snow here with trails to explore back in the woods.
South Fork Events
With regular yearly events, check the South Fork event calendar to make sure you don’t miss – or to grab your South Fork vacation rental early! The third week of June brings competitors and visitors to the Logger Days Festival that celebrates the logging history of the South Fork area. Come watch the experts compete with chain-saws, axes, and all things wood-related.
During summer, plan to explore the South Fork Market on Fridays and Saturdays for some fresh treats, local produce, and artisan crafts. Grab a breakfast burrito while shopping for food for the week and a special souvenir. It’s not the same every week, so come back the next week if you’re still in town.
Stay in South Fork: Riverbend Resort
Located about five minutes from downtown South Fork on Highway — on the way over Wolf Creek Pass toward Pagoda Springs, Riverbend Resort is my family’s go-to South Fork vacation rental. Famous for being the setting of National Lampoons’ Family Vacation, park your RV along the river or rent a cabin. With full RV hook-ups, a laundry room, showers, and on-site entertainment, you’ll have a mountain view and easy river access for fishing or wandering.
Thanks for stopping by my little corner! Here’s to your next adventure.
I’m Bobbie. As transplants from Texas, my family of six is on a mission to discover all of Georgia’s amazing places, experience amazing road trips across the United States, and create a homeschool life along the way.
Want to adventure like me? Reach out! I’d love to chat. Stop by my Instagram or Pinterest page to discover more of our adventures.
Want to work with me? I’d love to work with your destination and tourism board to help other family travelers see all you have to offer.
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