One of Colorado's first cities, Del Norte has been around since 1860, and it's not hard to see why. The town still offers the same beautiful scenery and recreational opportunities that first drew Native Americans and, later, Spaniards to the region.

Known as "The Gateway to the San Juans," Del Norte has both cultural and recreational opportunities year round. Visitors can fish in the Rio Grande River during the summer, or head over to Wolf Creek Ski Area for some deep powder skiing and boarding in the winter. Travelers can also enjoy hiking and ATV trails in the summer or snowshoe and snowmobile trails in the winter.

Bird watchers should be sure to visit the Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge and the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge, both are popular stopping places during spring and fall migrations for sandhill cranes, ducks, Canadian geese and occasionally the endangered whooping crane. Downtown Del Norte offers plenty of shopping and dining, as well as the Historic Windsor Hotel. Built in 1875, the building is currently being preserved and restored.

Del Norte is also close to the Silver Thread National Scenic Byway. And just miles away is the Great Sand Dunes National Park, offering thirty square miles of natural sand dunes towering up to 750 feet high.

Del Norte is near: Alamosa, South Fork & Wagon Wheel Gap