South Fork Trail (Blanco Ranger District)

Three miles from the campground you cross a section of private land and another section of private land 2 miles further at the mouth of Lost Solar Creek; please respect the private property. From Lost Solar Creek you cross Park Creek, seven miles from the trailhead. Three miles above Park Creek, you can see South Fork falls. Three miles above the falls, the canyon begins to widen out near Budges Resort, which is accessible by the Coffee Pot road from Dotsero on the Colorado River. The trail heads north following the river through a wide grassy area extending for several miles called "the meadows". After passing Nichols Creek and Doe Creek, the trail turns east continuing to follow the South Fork out of the canyon onto the Flat Tops plateau, ending at the Trappers Lake Trail near Shingle Peak. The section of trail above Doe Creek is not maintained and users can expect additional challenges due to deadfall and swampy areas.

Directions from Meeker: South Fork Trail is located 29 miles east of Meeker. Take State Highway 13 east out of Meeker for one mile; turn right on County Road 8 for 18 miles to the South Fork Road (County Road 10) Turn right for two miles, then jog left 1/4 mile, then right for 10 miles to the South Fork Campground and trailhead.

Directions from Glenwood Springs or Eagle: Travel to the I-70 Dotsero exit #133. Travel north along the Colorado River to the Coffee Pot Road (Forest Road 600). Follow the Coffee Pot Road to Deep Lake then continue down Buck Creek toward Budges Resort and the South Fork.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: May through November (NOTE: Always open. Beware of severe Winter conditions.) .

Lost Solar Trail - This trail begins five miles up the South Fork Trail and takes out of the South Fork Canyon into the Solar Creek drainage. The trail finally ends up at the Oyster Lake Trail.

Nichols Creek Trail - The Nichols Creek Trail branches from the South Fork Trail, 16 miles from the South Fork Trailhead, above Budges Resort. It is most readily accessed from the Coffee Pot Road, north of Dotsero.

Park Creek Trail - This trail begins seven miles up the South Fork Trail along the South Fork of the White River. It leads up Park Creek until reaching the Nichols Creek Trail.

South Fork Campground - South Fork Campground is located 32 miles east of Meeker up the South Fork of the White River, at an elevation of 8,000 feet.