Rio Grande Ranches

LOCATION: The Rio Grande Ranches are located in Costilla County, Colorado, 34 miles southwest of the town of Fort Garland, where stands the historic fort that was the last command of Kit Carson. Fort Garland is approximately 200 miles south of Denver and approximately 200 miles north of Albuquerque. Just 15 miles east is the town of San Luis, the oldest established town in Colorado.

Click HERE to download a short video about the San Luis Valley.
NOTE: The file is large (20MB) and a broadband connection is recommended.

The Valley proper is the largest alpine valley within the confines of the Southern Rocky Mountain Province and has maximum dimensions of approximately 100 miles from north to south and 60 miles from east to west. Once the site of an ancient lakebed, the elevation of the Valley floor ranges from 7,500 feet to almost 7,900 feet with little perceptible variance from the flat, plain surface. Immediately surrounding the Valley are the San Juan, La Garita, Sawatch, Sangre de Cristo and Culebra moutain ranges towering above the Valley with elevations frequently exceeding 13,000 feet and culminating in the 14,363 foot Blanca Peak in Alamosa and Costilla Counties. The cordillera is broken in the south with the Valley continuing southward into New Mexico although relief becomes greater with San Antonio and Ute Mountains serving as notable landscape features breaking the otherwise flat terrain.

RECREATION: The San Luis Valley is basically agricultural with many kinds of vegetables as well as forage for livestock being grown on the many acres of irrigated land. The Valley is one of the most productive potato growing regions in the United States. Cattle, sheep and wildlife graze the native grasses of the valley, hills and mountains. Timber is harvested from some of the forested mountains. There is also light industry and general commerce in the nearby towns and cities.

The great outdoors is what it is all about in the San Luis Valley. The seasonal migration of the Sand Hill Crane is an event not to be missed. There are deer, elk and even the Bald Eagle is seen soaring high above. Many different kinds of small animals and birds also inhabit the area. You may see the wily Coyote hunting his next meal or hear him howling in the night.

Viewing the wildlife, fishing, boating and hunting in season are favorite recreational activities in the Valley. You can also camp, hike, photograph the wildlife, paint the landscape, arrowhead hunt or simply enjoy the great outdoors. For the more adventurous, there is rock and mountain climbing. Evening brings beautiful sunsets and the night sky fills with countless stars and constellations.