Fewer than 25 miles west of east of Del Norte, Colorado, the Limekiln area offers the kind of mountain biking or hiking experience that makes the San Luis Valley so special: big skies, open terrain, rocky singletrack, sweeping views, and enough trail to keep you exploring long after the first ride.
Located near the historic Limekiln/Old Spanish Trail monument along U.S. Highway 160, the Limekiln recreation area sits at roughly 7,900 feet. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM)-managed landscape covers thousands of acres and combines purpose-built singletrack with two-track roads and other routes, creating an unusually large playground for outdoor adventure.
A Ride With a Little Bit of Everything
The Limekiln area contains more than nine miles of purpose-built singletrack, and the interconnected layout makes it possible to string together different trails and roads for a longer adventure. Local trail information describes the system as generally easy to intermediate, while individual routes can provide plenty of challenge for experienced riders or hikers. Limekiln doesn't have the heavily forested feel of some of Colorado's classic destinations. Instead, the landscape is open and rugged, with grasslands, sagebrush, piñon and juniper, rocky mesas, and ridges.
The area lies along a portion of the historic Old Spanish Trail, and remnants of the historic route can still be found in the region. The BLM also identifies Limekiln as important habitat for wildlife and raptors. The area is shared by mountain bikers, hikers, horseback riders, and motorized users on designated routes, so a little awareness goes a long way.
Planning Your Limekiln Ride
Limekiln is conveniently located about six miles east of Del Norte along U.S. Highway 160, making it an easy addition to a trip through the San Luis Valley. Before heading out, bring plenty of water. Individual Limekiln routes can have no water or restroom access, so riders should plan to be self-sufficient. A downloaded map or GPS track is also a good idea. The network of singletrack, roads, and intersections can make navigation less obvious than it initially appears. We recommend downloading the COTrex app for biking or hiking in this area.
Why Limekiln Is Worth the Ride
Limekiln is a place where you can park the truck, pedal onto the trail, and quickly find yourself surrounded by open country with few signs of town. You get challenging climbs without spending the entire day above treeline, fast descents without needing a lift, and enough interconnected terrain to make every ride a little different. The best part about staying in South Fork is easy access to hiking and biking trails in every direction. Check out our cabins, yurts, and the Dakota Park House for high quality accommodations at a reasonable price.