Del Norte Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Del Norte featuring signage
Del Norte showing signage
Del Norte
Del Norte
Del Norte showing 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 ₹12,100 per night from 21 Jul to 22 Jul
₹12,100
₹13,250 total
21 Jul - 22 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Del Norte. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (524 reviews)
"Wonderful hotel. Clean, comfortable, safe, and welcoming. Melissa is an angel. She stayed late to help me with a last-minute, late check-in after an early-evening auto accident in a neighboring town. I will never forget her kindness, and I’m so excited to come back to this beautiful property under ..."

Reviewed on 12 Jul 2025

Windsor Hotel
Mellow Moon Lodge

Mellow Moon Lodge

2.5 out of 5
1160 Grand Ave, Del Norte, CO
The price is ₹11,213 per night from 21 Jul to 22 Jul
₹11,213
₹12,972 total
21 Jul - 22 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf motel in Del Norte. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (208 reviews)
"Our family loved staying here and the staff and owners are wonderful hosts! Fabulous barista coffee and killer breakfast burritos in the lovely shop, make the morning start right. Thank you!"

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

Mellow Moon Lodge
Downtown Del Norte Home Near Hiking & Fishing!

Downtown Del Norte Home Near Hiking & Fishing!

3 out of 5
Del Norte
Stay at this 3-star cottage in Del Norte. Enjoy free parking. Popular attractions Rio Grande County Museum and Cultural Center and Centennial Park are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (4 reviews)
See you again soon!
"Our stay was lovely. It was ideal for our family and had everything we needed! The decor had a charming mountain cabin vibe. It was close to everywhere I needed to be for the occasion. The cabin did not have air conditioning and the toilet has a flush technique - just hold it down fully before releasing. ..."

Reviewed on 19 Jun 2024

Downtown Del Norte Home Near Hiking & Fishing!
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.
Downtown Del Norte Home Near Hiking & Fishing!

Downtown Del Norte Home Near Hiking & Fishing!

3 out of 5
Del Norte
Stay at this 3-star cottage in Del Norte. Enjoy free parking. Popular attractions Rio Grande County Museum and Cultural Center and Centennial Park are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (4 reviews)
See you again soon!
"Our stay was lovely. It was ideal for our family and had everything we needed! The decor had a charming mountain cabin vibe. It was close to everywhere I needed to be for the occasion. The cabin did not have air conditioning and the toilet has a flush technique - just hold it down fully before releasing. ..."

Reviewed on 19 Jun 2024

Downtown Del Norte Home Near Hiking & Fishing!
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 Wi-Fi, free parking and free bicycles on-site. Popular attractions Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (203 reviews)
Rustic vibes with modern amenities
"These cute cabins were just right; beds were comfortable and had different pillows to choose from, kitchen had basic items necessary for mealtime, shower was quaint and clean. We enjoyed the swing on the front porch and the hot tub. The Wi-Fi worked great, we never had any issues. The host was helpful ..."

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2025

Grandview Cabins & RV Resort
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 Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Wolf Creek Anglers and Rio Grande Club are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (269 reviews)
"Outstanding little cabin. So clean, tidy and well equipped. Highly recommend."

Reviewed on 7 Jun 2025

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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