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The Rio Grande River, also known as the Rio Bravo in certain parts of North America, has a journey as captivating as the science behind its creation. This grand river begins, or rather, has its beginning, nestled within the tranquility of the San Juan Mountains of Colorado’s Southern Rockies.
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Anglerslove the San Luis Valley, and the Rio Grande — meaning "Big River" in Spanish — is home to the longest stretch of the state’s Gold Medal Water. The Colorado Wildlife Commission designates Gold Medal habitats due to their top-notch, cold water, which is a breeding ground for large trout. In these sections of water, the chances of a tug are pr...
Palisade campground overlooks the Rio Grande River, has 12 sites and is the only campground in the canyon between Creede and South Fork. Plus, it’s right next to Highway 149, so it’s really accessible. Occasionally, a scenic railroadexcursion passes by on the active railroad tracks that run through the campground. Another campsite in the Rio Grande...
Avid kayakers and rafters typically paddle the mighty Rio from May to June, when the spring’s runoff is at its peak. North of Creede, the whitewater difficulty can rise to Class III-IV, in a section known as the Upper Box. Downriver, paddlers can expect Class I-II rapids in the next two sections of river: Oxbow and Upper Rio Grande River. Then, fro...
Many locals and valley visitors love to float sections of the Rio Grande near Alamosa. On easygoing stretches of the river north and south of town, you’ll have the freedom to use your camera or binoculars to spy a wide range of birds, including Great Horned Owls. Toward Del Norte, the smooth waters of the Rio Grande are idyllic for casual float tri...
Don’t be surprised if you see college students stand-up paddleboarding on the Rio Grande in and around Alamosa. In 2016, Adams State University invested in paddleboards and mountain bikes for its Adventure Program to help strengthen recreation along the river. More broadly, the Weekends on the Rioprogram (June through August) includes community sta...
South of Alamosa, the Rio Grande River nourishes the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge, a mix of wetland and desert habitats that are a rich breeding ground for migratory birds. More than 200 species of birds and other wildlife can be spotted in the 11,200-acre refuge. Birders should keep their binoculars on hand for songbirds, water birds, waterfow...
Near the Rio Grande River, trail runners can check out Pronghorn Loop. The 9-mile trail follows singletrack through rock formations and high desert meadows with stunning views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. A version of this article originally appeared on Alamosa.org.
Discover Alamosa itineraries to start planning your family getaway. Explore more outdoor activities, find things to do on the event calendar and order a free travel guide. Watch: Ways to explore the Alamosa area
The Rio Grande River is 1,896 miles long and, depending on how it’s measured, ranks as the USA’s fourth or fifth-longest river. Its two main sources are both in the San Juan Mountains in Colorado, and flows through Texas before meeting its end at the Gulf of Mexico.
May 24, 2024 · Besides the Colorado River itself, the Rio Grande is one of the largest and most famous rivers flowing through southern Colorado. It offers not only great fly fishing action for anglers, but also exceptional ease of access and some of the largest trout to be had in the southern reaches of the state.
The Rio Grande rises in the western part of the Rio Grande National Forest, in the U.S. state of Colorado, and is formed by the joining of several streams at the base of Canby Mountain, in the San Juan Mountains, due east of the Continental Divide of the Americas.
The Rio Grande River begins its journey in the heart of the San Juan Mountains. On the periphery of Silverton, Colorado, the water begins its high-mountain flow and feeds thick blankets of Ponderosa Pines as it moves southeast through the Weminuche Wilderness.
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Jul 16, 2020 · The Rio Grande begins in the San Juan mountains of Colorado’s southern Rockies and curls its way down to New Mexico, where it tumbles south some 400 miles before hanging a left in El Paso to...
