One of the most popular outings from the AppleLodge is a day trip to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. The dunes are about an hour away from the AppleLodge's front door, but there are some really unique places to see along the way that are worth stopping at. From the AppleLodge you can go east to the only traffic light in town and turn left onto Hwy 112. If you stay on Highway 112 it will take you all the way across the San Luis Valley almost to the park entrance. As you travel you'll be crossing an 8,000 square mile alpine valley, the world's largest. The average altitude is 7,500 feet and everywhere you look you'll see majestic mountains, many of which go above 14,000 feet. The valley floor is covered with irrigated farmland. Be on the lookout for pronghorn antelope in the farmers fields and bald eagles soaring above. If you look straight ahead toward the east you can see the 700 foot high sand dunes in the distance at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range.

When you reach the east end of Hwy 112 at the intersection of Hwy 17 turn right (south). A few miles down the road at Lane 9 North you will see the Colorado Gator Farm. This is a one of a kind attraction in Colorado. If you are so inclined, the gator farm will take 30 minutes to an hour to visit, depending on how fast you walk and how long you look. The tour includes getting your picture taken with a baby alligator, and a close up view of many other reptiles and other interesting animals and fish. Hours from Memorial Day through Labor Day (through the summer) are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Hours from Labor Day to Memorial Day (through the winter) are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. They're open seven days a week except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Admission is $12.50 for adults, $6.25 for children (6 to 15) and seniors (65 to 80), 5 and under and 80 and over are free. 719-378-2612 A discount coupon is available at this link .

After you get your fill of gators, snakes, etc. keep on going south on Hwy 17 a few more miles and turn left (east) on Lane 6 East. This road will go straight toward the Sangre de Cristos again and then curve into Colorado 150 which goes right to the park entrance. Entrance fees are $3 per adult (age 16 and older). Entrance fees are valid for one week from date of purchase. Children are free at all times. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is open 24 hours a day. You won't want to miss the excellent Visitor Center. Hours vary from summer to winter so you might call ahead at (719)378-6399 for specific hours on the days you plan to visit. When leaving the Visitor Center turn left (north) and continue down the park road to the sign for the Dunes Parking Area and turn left again. At the parking area you will find restrooms with showers and trails that will take you to the dune field. In late May thru June Medano Creek runs and crosses these trails so you will either want to take off your shoes or wear water proof ones. Once you are across the creek the whole dune field is your playground. Some people like to hike up the creek bed. Some like to try to climb to the top of the dunes. Some just like to explore the lower dunes, and others will want to bring a folding chair to just relax. The views are spectacular and the environment is unbelievable. There are many trails that lead up into the mountains but you might want to leave time to go to two more stops.

Before you leave you'll want to empty the sand out of your shoes. Next stop Zapata Falls. As you leave the park keep going south down Hwy 150 a few miles past the park entrance. You will see a sign on the left and you turn onto a dirt road with four miles of switch backs that ends at a parking lot with restrooms and some outstanding views. From the parking area it is about a 1/2 mile walk uphill to the falls. When you get to the creek walk upstream. It's a short hike that involves walking on slippery rocks and maybe getting a little wet.You will begin to hear the falls way before you can see them. Then step into the big hole in the rock. All of a sudden when you feel like you are in a cave you will see the water crashing down from above. Depending on the time of year the water might be flowing behind a wall of ice. The area surrounding the creek is covered with beautiful trees and is a great place for a picnic.

Next you might want to end the day with a dip in a swimming pool fed by hot springs. Go back north on Hwy 150, turn left on 6 east and backtrack to Hwy 17. Go back north past Hwy 112 a few miles and follow signs to the Sand Dunes Pool. This is a naturally hot artesian very large swimming pool kept between 98-100 degrees and a 25 person therapy pool kept between 105-107 degrees. The water is amazingly clear with no odors and no added chlorine. Great for family fun, relaxation and rejuvenation and the Channel 7 News in Denver voted their concession stand "The Best Concession Stand in Colorado". Hours are 10 to 10 March through November and 1 to 8 PM in winter. Admission is $10.00 for adults 13 & over ($8.00 winter hours), children (ages 3-12)$6.00 year-round, seniors (ages 65+), college students (with ID), & military (with ID)$8.00 regular hours $6.00 winter hours, children 2 & under free.

To return to the AppleLodge just backtrack again to Hwy 112, turn west and this will bring you right back to Del Norte. If you are crossing the valley near sunset be sure to look back toward the Sangre de Cristos. You might get to see them lit up in a beautiful collor of pinkish red which it how they got their name--"Blood of Christ". Then turn right on US 160 and go about a mile west to the AppleLodge. This will be a full day of activities so you will want to plan for meals and plan to sleep well upon your return.
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One of the things that we frequently recommend to guests who stay at the AppleLodge is a day at the Hot Springs in Pagosa Springs. It is only 60 miles away and takes just over an hour to get there if you don't stop along the way. However we recommend stopping a few times because the drive and the scenery are spectacular. You take hwy 160 west through the town of South Fork and then follow the South Fork of the Rio Grande River most of the way up to the Continental Divide. You will want to go past Wolf Creek Ski Area and then pull into the parking lot where there is an informational kiosk telling all about the Divide. As you continue on down the other side pull into the overlook parking lot and get out to enjoy the beautiful view towards Pagosa. Then go down the winding 6% grade to the bottom and pull into the parking lot at Treasure Falls. There are restrooms and hiking trails up to the falls. Then continue on into Pagosa. As you enter the quaint friendly town you will pass several shops worth stopping at and a Malt Shop on the right with great ice cream and malts/shakes. A little further into town you will come to an intersection with signs pointing left to the Hot Springs. Turn left and go into the visitors center on your right to get an idea of all the things to do in the area. Right next door is the parking area and entrance into the Hot Springs. The Springs Resort offers numerous hot pools to choose from. Multiple temperatures, ranging from 83 to 114 degrees F. (27-46 C.), ensure you will find the right comfort level. Every pool offers a different experience and we encourage you to try them all. Two pools are designated as Adults Only, however, there is a non mineral family-friendly swimming pool, a fresh water Jacuzzi, and 16 soaking pools for the children to enjoy. Swim attire is mandatory in all resort pools. You can spend a couple of hours or the rest of the day there. Pagosa has a good variety of restaurants to offer. Right at the Hot Springs is Tequila's, a great Mexican food restaurant that overlooks the Springs. If you travel a few miles farther west on Hwy 160 you will find a restaurant called Boss Hog on the right. It is one of our favorites for catfish, steaks, or barbecue. A day at the Hot Springs in Pagosa will leave you with memories sure to bring you back again several times.

There are more hot springs available as well, all within an hour's drive from the AppleLodge.
Joyful Journey Hot Springs
Sand Dunes Pool
Valley View Hot Springs (clothing optional)

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The AppleLodge is about a 40 minute drive from Wolf Creek Ski Area. It is located on the "East Side" of Wolf Creek Pass, which means that a lot of the time you can still get to the ski area when the "West Side" closes due to weather/avalanche problems. The AppleLodge is the perfect place for your Wolf Creek Ski vacation headquarters. There are places to get your skis on the way to the ski area in South Fork or at the ski area itself. There are also several eating options at the slopes, in South Fork, or in Del Norte. Give us a call 1-888-56APPLE. We would be happy to help you plan your ski adventure. We can also recommend places for snowmobile rentals if that's more your style.


The following is an excerpt from the Wolf Creek Ski web site:

Wolf Creek 2009 - 2010

Wolf Creek Ski Area is celebrating 70 years of great powder skiing this 2009 - 2010 ski season! Since 1939, Wolf Creek has grown naturally with both ups and downs, yet still prevails in an industry that continually challenges and changes.

The skiing on Wolf Creek Pass began with a group of ski enthusiasts in Alamosa who were interested in skiing and found that Wolf Creek Pass offered “all kinds of ski slopes to all kinds of skiers”. The San Luis Valley Ski association established a small ski tow and warming cabin, “financed by popular subscription and memberships into the club”. With reliably excellent conditions and changes in ownership, incredible improvements have continued to the present time.

Since 1976, owners, Kingsbury and Charity Jane Pitcher, along with family members, have offered a great product at a great price. A passion for the sport of skiing is shown in the management style and a respect to bring the mountain experience to every walk of life is a mission.

In continuing with that tradition, Wolf Creek Ski Area’s lift ticket and season pass prices will remain the same as last season! Wolf Creek makes every attempt at keeping skiing affordable to the general public especially during these economically tight times. Fourteen “Local Appreciation Days,” specially priced days open to all guests – no ID is required ($31.00 Adult all lift ticket, $18.00 for Seniors and Children), have been scheduled throughout the busy season.

The Raven Building, at mid-mountain, will be in full swing this season, with its’ state-of-the-art water free, composting restrooms. Not only does Wolf Creek have a reputation for excellent deep snow but both full service cafeterias are known for their delicious homemade menu items including: a gourmet salad bar, fabulous burgers, hot daily specials, green and red chili stews, soups, Frito pies, and wonderful desserts.

Seven lifts operate at Wolf Creek daily from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Extended operating hours over holiday periods are a part of the special services program that many guests utilize and enjoy - these times are posted in the ticket office and on the website. The ski patrol is comprised of a friendly and professional staff; the ski school offers an extensive array of lessons, both group and private.

The rental department at Wolf Creek has added 50 new sets of skis, snowboards and boots to its’ already great inventory of equipment. Ski and board tuning, as well as, free overnight storage is available for renters. The Wolf Creek rental staff is certified and trained to fit for top comfort and performance.

Treasure Sports offers stylish and functional ski and board wear for all ages. Many other items are available such as goggles, sunglasses, sunscreen, hats, gloves and more. Snowboards, snowboard boots and bindings can be purchased at great prices in Noel Sports. Other amenities include a picnic building for guests bringing their own lunches and free parking with free parking shuttles.

For the fourth consecutive year, Wolf Creek continues to purchase 100% of its power usage from a wind power supplier for both winter and summer operations. “Share the ride, Share the fun”, a free online car pool service will be available again this ski season. This program matches up skiers and boarders coming from anywhere, USA to the powdery slopes of Wolf Creek. “Share the ride, Share the fun” can be found here.
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National Parks

Colorado, Arizona, and Utah has fantastic National Parks and the AppleLodge is on route to several of them. Many people fly into Denver and do the loop drive from there to Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park and then head out to the Mighty Five and then the Grand Canyon. On the way back a stop at Mesa Verde is a must. The AppleLodge is a good stop-over connection on your way to Great Sand Dunes Nat'l Park and then back to Denver.
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Golf

There are several 18 golf courses just a short drive from the AppleLodge. South Fork has a relatively new world class course called The Rio Grande Club just fifteen minutes west. Fifteen minutes east the Monte Vista Golf Club. Cattails course is thirty minutes east in Alamosa. And Pagosa Springs has a course about an hour drive away.
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The area around the AppleLodge is very rural. The first thing to remember is that the restaurant choices closest to us will sometimes close at 7:00 PM. There is not hardly anything open 24 hours a day. You will want to keep this in mind on your arrival date and when taking excursions during your stay.

The best restaurant close by is Boogies. It has a wide variety of American and Southwest type menu choices and the servings are plentiful. The pies are out of this world, so save room for dessert. The atmosphere is family friendly, and they can usually handle a small group (15). They are less than a mile east of the AppleLodge on the north side of Hwy 160, next to the Shell staton. Great "organic choices" can be found at the Peace of Art Cafe just an eighth of a mile east of us. There is an excellent "fine dining experience" to be had at the Windsor, and a unique Pizza experience at Three Barrels with local craft beer. Both of these are Columbia Ave. less than a mile from us. There is also a Subway in the gas station at the traffic light in Del Norte about a mile from us.

If you want a fine dining experience we recommend either the Rockaway Cafe Steakhouse (719-873-5581) located 15 minutes to the west of us in South Fork. There is also a great "California style" Mexican restaurant at the west end of town called Ramon's. If specialty sandwiches sound good we would recommend The Shaft. The Feeling Good Cafe is a great choice for breakfast and lunch at the "Y" where 160 and 149 meet.

In Monte Vista, 15 minutes to the east of us, you can find great Mexican food at either or Nino's or Mountain View, and for Chinese food we would recommend Hunan's. Also in Monte Vista there is authentic Italian food at Pachelli's(lunch only). If you want the fast food experince (Pizza Hut, Sonic, Dairy Queen, and Subway) Monte Vista has many choices as well.

see a Google Map

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Local Events
The towns around us always seem to have lots going on.
Click the links below to see their calendars of events.

Monte Vista (15 mins)

Del Norte (2 mins)

South Fork (15 mins)

Creede (40 mins)

Alamosa (30 mins)