Things to do in the SLV

For those of you not familiar with the San Luis Valley (SLV) there are lots of interesting historical sites and places of interest to visit. Jerry & I have been to only a handful but hope to be able to visit a few more next year. I will add pictures as that happens.

ALAMOSA COUNTY:
Colorado Gators Reptile Park - North of Alamosa - www.coloradogators.com
Rio Grande Scenic Railroad - LaVeta Pass Route -
Splashland - geothermal waters - Alamosa
Cattails Golf Course - Alamosa
Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge www.r6.fws.gov/alamosanwr/
The Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve www.nps.gov/grsa
The Medano Zapata Ranch & Zapata Falls www.nature.org/colorado
San Luis Valley History Museum - Adams State College - Alamosa
San Luis Lakes State Park
Blanca Wetlands - 70 ponds filled with fish & nesting birds
SunEdison - largest photovoltaic solar power plant in the U.S.

SAGUACHE COUNTY:
Sand Dunes Swimming Pool - geothermal water - Hooper www.sanddunespool.com
UFO Watchtower - Hooper www.ufowatchtower.com
Saguache County Museum & Fall Festival
Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa www.joyfuljourneyhotsprings.com
Valley View Hot Springs (clothing optional)
Crestone - many temples & shrines representing world religions , art studios and Challenger Golf Course. www.crestone.org

COSTILLA COUNTY:
Los Caminos Antiquos Scenic Byway www.loscaminos.com
The Fort Garland Museum
White Mountain Trading Post - Living Museum - Ft. Garland
San Luis Museum & Cultural Center
Stations of the Cross Shrine - located on La Mesa de la Piedad y de la Misericordia - The Hill of Piety and Mercy - San Luis

CONEJOS COUNTY:
Jack Dempsey Museum - (The Manassa Mauler) Manassa
Pike's Stockade - near LaJara www.zebulonpike.net
Conejos Museum - Antonito
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad - Antonito www.cumbrestoltec.com
Our Lady of Guadalupe - oldest parish in Colorado - Conejos
Magote Meadows Elk Ranch www.magotemeadows.com

RIO GRANDE COUNTY:
Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge www.r6.fws.gov/alamosanwr
Movie Manor Motel - Monte Vista
Monte Vista Crane Festival
Natural Arch - near Del Norte
Penitente Canyon - near LaGarita
Rio Grande County Museum - Del Norte
Silver Thread Scenic Byway - Creede & Lake City
Logger's Day Festival (July 21-22) - South Fork
Transportation of the West Museum - Monte Vista

MINERAL COUNTY:
Wheeler Geologic Area (State Hwy. 149)
Underground MIning Museum & Mining Tour - Creede
Bachelor Historic Loop - remnants of silver mines, old mining camps, the historic Creede cemetary and Bob Ford's gravesite. Equity Mine & trailhead for Continental Divide Trail.
Creede Fossil Formation - borders Silver Thread Scenic Byway
Creede Historical Society Museum - in historic Denver & Rio Grande train depot
Wolf Creek Ski Area - Continental Divide @ 11,775'. www.wolfcreekski.com

SOME OF THE COLORADO FOURTEENERS: Alamosa County: Blanca Peak - 14,345; Ellingwood Peak - 14,042; Mt. Lindsey - 14,042; Little Bear Peak - 14,037; Saguache County: Crestone Peak - 14,294; Crestone Needle - 14,197; Kit Carson Peak - 14,165; Challenger Point - 14,080; Humbolt Peak - 14,064; Mineral County: San Luis Peak - 14,014.

ROCK CLIMBING ENTHUSIASTS: Saguache County: Penitente Canyon, the Rock Garden, Witches Canyon and Sidewinder Canyon - all in the LaGarita Mountains