Del Norte

Travel Guide
Del Norte which includes signage
Opportunities for outdoor adventure sports, including rock climbing, rafting and hiking, abound in the mountainous surroundings of this former stage-stop town.

The small Colorado town of Del Norte is surrounded on almost all sides by public land encompassing expansive forests, snaking rivers and soaring peaks. Hike along trails, ascend sport-climbing routes and admire views of canyons and river corridors from mountain summits.

During the 1850s and 1860s, Del Norte served as a common stage stop for traders passing along the Old Spanish Trail, which ran between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Los Angeles, California. The town’s heyday came later in the 1870s, when prospectors uncovered gold and silver in the nearby San Juan Mountains and Del Norte transformed itself into a mining supplies base.

Outdoorsy travelers use Del Norte as a base from which to explore the surrounding region. Climb up the steep 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) trail to reach the summit of the 8,475-foot-tall (2,583-meter) Lookout Mountain in Lookout Mountain Park. From here, admire views down over the San Luis Valley and the rushing Rio Grande River. Rock climbers, meanwhile, can choose between the more than 300 sport-climbing routes in Penitente Canyon, an area which originally served as a sanctuary for the devout Spanish Catholic sect of Los Hermanos Penitentes.

Drive west from Del Norte to reach the Rio Grande National Forest, which features jagged mountains and deep river canyons. Enjoy outdoor fun, including fishing, mountain biking, hunting, hiking and horseback riding. During winter, head for the Wolf Creek Ski Area and hit the snow-covered slopes.

Back in town, learn about this region’s story at the Rio Grande County Museum and Cultural Center. Also worth visiting is the nearby Summitville Ghost Town. These eerie, haunting remains, accessible only by a dirt road, are the surviving remnants of a once-thriving settlement.

Del Norte is warm in summer and snowy in winter. To get here, drive 4 hours from Denver or fly into the San Luis Valley Regional Airport near Alamosa, and make the 40-minute drive from there.

Windsor Hotel
Windsor Hotel
3 out of 5
605 Grand Ave, Del Norte, CO
The price is S$174 per night from 14 Nov to 15 Nov
S$174
includes taxes & fees
14 Nov - 15 Nov
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Del Norte. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (485 reviews)
"Nice interesting spot! Great coffee shop nearby and dinner at hotel was nice! Very enjoyable!"

Reviewed on 8 Nov,2024

Windsor Hotel
Mellow Moon Lodge
Mellow Moon Lodge
2.5 out of 5
1160 Grand Ave, Del Norte, CO
The price is S$202 per night from 14 Nov to 15 Nov
S$202
includes taxes & fees
14 Nov - 15 Nov
Book a stay at this golf motel in Del Norte. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a snack bar/deli. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (195 reviews)
"Lovely stay that I continue to come back to. The details and comfort put into this space is unmatched for the area and you won't find a better stay north of Wolf Creek"

Reviewed on 22 Oct,2024

Mellow Moon Lodge
LOGE Wolf Creek
LOGE Wolf Creek
2 out of 5
31042 US Highway 160, South Fork, CO
The price is S$176 per night from 12 Dec to 13 Dec
S$176
includes taxes & fees
12 Dec - 13 Dec
Stay at this lodge in South Fork. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (546 reviews)
"The front desk lady was super kind and helpful. The room was super neat and smelled cleaned We used the bikes for a ride and used the grill outside to make our own hamburgers"

Reviewed on 7 Nov,2024

LOGE Wolf Creek
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Grandview Cabins & RV Resort
Grandview Cabins & RV Resort
3 out of 5
0613 Highway 149, South Fork, CO
Stay at this 3-star cabin in South Fork. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and free bicycles on site. Popular attractions Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (188 reviews)
"Great Cabin and had Everything we needed. Plan to visit again. Also located in a great area."

Reviewed on 15 Oct,2024

Grandview Cabins & RV Resort
Riverside Meadows Cabins
Riverside Meadows Cabins
3 out of 5
2 Dodge City Road, South Fork, CO
Stay at this 3-star cabin in South Fork. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Wolf Creek Anglers and Rio Grande Club ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (179 reviews)
"This is a beautiful property with beautiful cabins and great hosts! Coffee was amazing! We loved this place so much, we wished we could have stayed longer. Definitely plan on going back!!"

Reviewed on 5 Nov,2024

Riverside Meadows Cabins
Chinook Cabins & RV Park
Chinook Cabins & RV Park
3 out of 5
29668 W Hwy 160, South Fork, CO
Stay at this 3-star cabin in South Fork. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Wolf Creek Anglers and Rio Grande Club are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (266 reviews)
"Fun place to stay that was comfy"

Reviewed on 10 Nov,2024

Chinook Cabins & RV Park
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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