Area Attraction Details
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Click on any of the Links below for more specific information.
Biking | Camping | Fishing | Golfing | Hiking | Historical Sites | Hunting | Ice Climbing | Kayaking & Rafting
Museums | National Forest/Parks | Outfitters | Rock Climbing | RV Camping | Snow Sports | Trains | Tours
Biking: (back to top)
Road Cycling:
Del Norte is on US Hwy 160 which is a major coast to coast bicycle route. There are many enjoyable side roads that make nice day trips on both pavement and graded gravel. Moderate grades, great views.
Mountain Biking:
Trails are numerous, varied and all difficulties from first time family to "gonzo" hard man rides. The more popular rides near Del Norte are:
Lime Kiln: 2 track, single-track, slick rock, mild to wild.
San Francisco Creek: Sub-alpine, day ride on an improved trail.
La Garita, Carnero and Penitente area: Improved graded road to scenic single tracks. Numerous opportunities.
Shaw Springs: A lacework of moderate to difficult 2 track and single track trails through a maze of Elephant rock boulders.
Elk Park, Castle Creek, West Pinos Creek: Our NORBA Points race is in this area. Steep ups and downs, creek crossings. Beautiful wooded trails, meadow on old roads and trails.
Cat Creek, Rock Creek and desert rides: Interesting rock and beautiful scenery.
The Great Divide Trail: Border to border Canada to Mexico Runs through Del Norte (2465 miles of trail in Colorado). The highest point on the entire trail is Indian Pass approximately 25 miles south of Del Norte. Web site: http://www.adv-cycling.org
Contacts:
NORBA Race: Kristi Mountain Sports
http://www.SLVOUTDOOR.com
Divide District USFS Del Norte
13308 US Hwy 160
Del Norte, Colorado 81132
(719)657-3321
 
Casa De Madera Sports
660 Grande Ave.
Del Norte, Colorado 81132
(719) 657-2723
Camping: (back to top)
Multiple Forest Service and private campgrounds contribute to good camping in area. Remember no trace ethics as we are a high fragile desert. Care with fires and vegetation, use developed campsites and designated roads. Many areas are dry so provide your own water.
Penitente Canyon: No fee, developed, restrooms, shelters, tent sites. In the heart of sport climbing area. North of Del Norte 12.5 miles. No water.
Cathedral Campground: Restrooms, tables, small stream, wooded, cool in mountains, good walks. Embargo Creek northwest of Del Norte in National Forest.
Elk Park: Primitive, moderately high, no water. South of Del Norte in the National Forest Service.
Elephant Rocks: Primitive, 6 miles north of Del Norte, no water.
Pinos Creek Upper Area: Primitive.
Equipment Rental:
Casa De Madera Sports
660 Grand Ave.
Del Norte, Co 81132
(719)657-2723
Fishing: (back to top)
Fishing varies from river, small stream to lake. The take is trout only. Rio Grande Gold Medal Water starts west of Del Norte with easy access in many areas.
Fishing is Fun: Starting at the Del Norte Town Park, there is a dock and trail system with easy fishing and walking.
Ice Fishing: There are many mountain lakes for ice fishing.
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Golfing:
A nine hole public golf course is available 15 miles to the easit in Monte Vista or there is a new 18 hole championship course rated 6th in the nation in South Fork.
Monte Vista Golf Course
(719) 852-4906
Rio Grande Golf Club
(719) 873-1995
Hiking: (back to top)
Del Norte is like the hub of a wheel to great hikes from an hour, to a day or extended trips.
Short Trips:
Lime Kiln/Stone Quarry: East of Del Norte, desert, easy to moderate area just explore, no designated trails, no water, isolated. 1 hour to days.
Elephant Rocks: North of Del Norte, desert, no water, fantastic rock shapes, every corner is an experience, isolated, 1 hour to days.
Rock Garden Trail: Trail from Penitente Canyon climbing area, desert, no water, great rock formations and views. Few people. 1 hour.
Witches Canyon Trail: From Penitente Canyon to Witches Canyon Climbing area. Canyon bottom and top great variety. 2 hours.
River Walk: On banks of the Rio Grande, starting at Town Park. 1 hour. Handicap accessible.
Mt. Lookout: The mountainous backdrop for the town of Del Norte, moderate to strenuous. Great view of the mountains and valley 2 hours +.
Day Hikes:
Milk Cow Pass: From Cathedral Campground north to Groundhog Park. Closed in with trees and mountains. Beautiful scenic vistas.
Adams Toll Road: West from Blowout Pass, south of Del Norte to Greyback Mountain. Best to have someone drop you at the trailhead and pick up at Greyback. Views abound of San Luis Valley, Sangre de Cristo Mountains, South San Juan Wilderness area. Adams Toll Road was the main road from Del Norte to Summitville mines.
Adams Toll Road East: Climbs the peaks east of Blowout Pass. Numerous views. This trip makes a nice overnighter or 3 day hike to Rock Creek.
Multi-Day Hikes: Del Norte is a starting point for hikes on BLM and Forest Service Lands.
South San Juan Wilderness Area: South of Del Norte, a relatively new wilderness area, uncrowded, high mountain lakes, streams, vistas, just what wilderness is about.
The Continental Divide:
(hiking) Trail passes north to south through the San Juan Wilderness area. This trail extends from Canada to Mexico. Info from Continental Divide Trail Alliance: Internet: CDNST@aol.com
Weminuche Wilderness Area:
West of Del Norte. Enormous chunk of wild great trails, high alpine trees, meadows, rugged peaks, lakes, all reserved for visits by foot, horse other non-motorized or wheeled means. Rio Grande National Forest: Numerous trails, some isolated, some popular. All levels of commitment.
Fremont's Christmas Camp:
Visit to John C. Fremont's disaster site in the Fourth Expedition in 1848-49. Fremont's Fourth Expedition route leads north of Del Norte into the mountains.
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Historical Sites:
Historic Windsor Hotel in downtown Del Norte. Built in 1875, continuously operated until the 1970's. Is currently being restored.
La Loma de San Jose: One of the first Plaza built in the Guadalupe Land Grant is 3 miles east of Del Norte.
The Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church: One of the few consecrated churches in the State of Colorado.

Hunting: (back to top)
Big Game: Game management units in our area are 68, 76, 79 and 80. Deer, Elk, Antelope and Black Bear. Seasons Vary. See Colorado Hunting Season brochure.
http://www.wildlife.co.us
Small Game: Land species and waterfowl.
http://www.wildlife.co.us
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Ice Climbing:
Casa de Madera Sports is the only climbing shop in the San Luis Valley. They have information on condition of climbs in and around the San Luis Valley.
Wolf Creek Pass: (Hwy 160 west of South Fork) Little America on both sides of the river at the Columbine Rest Area and East side of the Chain Station on Wolf Creek Pass. Numerous lines, single pitch up to 100 feet + tall. Most under 60 feet.
Park Creek: A Cliff band high and east of Park Creek, visible from turn off to Park Creek Rest and picnic area.
Park Creek: 8 mile marker on east side of road.
Big Meadows: Scattered and many small climbs.
Treasure falls: West side of Wolf Creek Pass. A southern classic.
Moon Valley: Scattered and many short routes.
Highway 149 west of Creede: North and South Clear Creek Falls, easy approaches for easy short climbs.
North Creede: Canyon above the town of Creede.
Phoenix Park: Long approach, no better.
Alamosa Canyon: South of Monte Vista.
Terrace Reservoir: Short two flows _ mile down from dam.
Two Tooth: 2 miles above Terrace Reservoir, awesome hard route, two icicles joined.
Zapata Falls: 8 miles south of Sand Dunes "inside" a mountain, melts out late. Easy main fall, hard weeps to the left of the fall.
Beaver Creek campground: Beaver Creek Reservoir:
Kayaking & Rafting: (back to top)
The Rio Grande has good class I and II water from Wagon Wheel Gap downstream. There are several raft guides in the Creede and South Fork regions.
Mountain man tours Inc.
Hwy 149 Main
Creede, CO
(719) 658-2663
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Museums:
Rio Grande County Museum and Cultural Center.
Open year round. 580 Oak Street, Del Norte, CO 81132, 719-657-2847, rgcm@amigo.net, www.rgcm.com
National Forest/Parks: (back to top)
Rio Grande National forest and BLM lands surround Del Norte.
Great Sand Dunes National Monument and Wheeler National Monument are within driving distance of Del Norte.
Outfitters: (back to top)
When planning a hunting trip and looking for a guide, contacting the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies Outfitter Registration 1560 Broadway, Suite 1340 Denver, Co 894-7778
http://www.dora.state.co.us/outfitters
or bureau of Land Management for U.S. Forest Service may be beneficial. Outfitters operating on BLM or U.S. Forest Service land must have outfitters special use permits check for this required federal permit status before booking with an outfitter.
Approved outfitters in the Del Norte area include the following:
Joe Boucher
Horn Fork Guides
P.O. Box 776
Buena Vista, Co. 81211
(719) 395-3665
Obbie L. Dickey
Diamond-D Bar Ranch and Outfitters
8018 N. 6 W.
Del Norte, Co. 81132
(719) 657-2293
Larry Ehardt
Wilderness Adventures
P.O. Box 265
South Fork, Co. 81154
(719) 873-5216
 Kirk A. Ellison
Lazy FF Outfitter
Freemon's Ranch
Creede, Co. 81130
(719) 658-2250		  Jim Flynn
Red Mountain Outfitters, LLC
P.O. Box 893
Alamosa, Co. 81101
(719) 589-4186		  Alan R. Palmer
Palmer Outfitters
58919 Co. Rd.58 E.E 2
Moffat, Co. 81143
(719) 256-4817
 David J. Powell
Jakes' Rio Grande Outfitting Service
P.O. Box 57
Creede, Co. 81130
(719) 658-0926		  Butch Rawls
Mountain Trails Outfitter and Toneda Outfitters
7129 Co. Rd. 4W.
Del Norte, Co. 81132
(719) 852-3870		  Richard H. Ray
Lobo Outfitters
4821A US Hwy 84
Pagosa Springs, Co. 81147
(970) 264-5546
 W.A. Roesch
Twin Mountain
11351 Co. Rd. 15
Del Norte, Co. 81132
(719) 657-3117		  David O. Schmittel
Schmittel Packing and Outfitting
15206 Hwy 285
Saguache, Co. 81149
(719) 655-2722		  Jason A. Ward
Wolf Creek Outfitters, LLC
P.O. Box 1918
Pagosa Springs, Co. 81147
(970) 264-5332
More information on Outfitters: Colorado Outfitter Association -- www.colorado-outfitters.com
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Rock Climbing:
Del Norte is surrounded by all types of world class climbs.
Sport Climbing:
Bolted routes abound. Guide book for area climbing is Rock Climbing in the San Luis Valley.
Penitente Canyon: 12.5 miles north of Del Norte with 135+ routes of grades 5.2 to 5.13. Has developed campsites.
Rock Garden: 15 miles north of Del Norte with 90+ climbs 5.6 to 5.13a. Same quality of rock as Penitente Canyon, less crowded, no camping.
Witches Canyon: 12 miles north of Del Norte, 50 routes, primitive camping.
Wolf Creek Pass/Big Meadows: Some bolted routes, many traditional routes, many unclimbed.
Beaver Creek: First cliff on the left, many traditional routes, good trees for anchors, easy walk offs.
Courthouse Cliffs: Good bouldering, some lop rope problems, just east of Rio Grande County Courthouse, 7th and Penasco.
Hidden Gulch/Stone Quarry Area: Three miles east south east of Del Norte, bouldering, traditional, bolted and top rope problems. Isolated and little used.
Lime Kiln: 6 miles east of Del Norte, 2 miles south of Hwy 160. Hundreds of traditional 40 to 60 foot cliffs. Protection problems on top.
Rock Creek/Bishop's Rock: Many bolted routes 15 miles south, southwest of Monte Vista.
Sangre de Cristo Mountains: Alpine routes form day hikes to very technical.
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RV Camping:
Available in area, privately owned and in Forest Service areas.
Skiing, Snowmobiling, Snowshoeing & Snowboarding: (back to top)
Wolf Creek Ski Area is 45 minutes from Del Norte. The surrounding Forest Service land and BLM land provides multiple opportunities for cross-county skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Groomed snowmobile trails are provided in some areas.
Snowmobile Clubs
Powder Busters
Sheryl Walker (719) 873-5767
Trains: (back to top)
Cumbres-Toltec Railroad is an hour drive away from Del Norte.
Tours: (back to top)
Columbine AirTours: The way to see it fast and awesome -- http://www.Columbineair.com
Dilley Guide Service: Guided snowmobile adventures
E-Mail: dilley_buff_elk@amigo.net
12285 Hwy 112
Del Norte Co 81132
(719) 657-3554
Wildlife Viewing:
Many opportunities in any direction from Del Norte.
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