Rico: Trails along the Dolores River and railroad history

Rico lies in the upper Dolores River watershed. The town combines activities on trails and along the river with reminders of its railroad and mining history. The San Juan Skyway adds a road route that passes through Rico and then follows the Dolores River.

Trails and the River Around Rico

The trail network around Rico offers opportunities for hiking, running, cycling, and winter sports. For a clearly defined route, there is the RGS River Trail: it follows the abandoned Rio Grande Southern rail corridor through the Dolores River corridor and runs 4.7 miles south from Rico to the boundary between Montezuma County and Dolores County. Bridges and northern sections remain part of an ongoing project.

The trail information helps put the routes in context: the RGS River Trail has a stated length and a southern endpoint, while the surrounding trail network offers a range of activities. When planning, you can consider both a specific route and the kind of outdoor activity you would like to enjoy.

The San Juan Skyway follows Colorado Highway 145 through Rico and then along the Dolores River. The routes are therefore distinct: the Skyway follows a road through town, while the RGS River Trail follows an abandoned rail line. Fishing in the Dolores River is another activity visitors can enjoy around Rico.

Railroad and Mining History

The Rico water tank is one of only three surviving water tanks of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad. It was round, held 50,000 gallons of water, stood on heavy wooden beams, and was built when the Rio Grande Southern reached Rico. Its design, capacity, and construction provide specific technical details about the railroad.

Two neighboring structures were built in 1940–1941 and operated by the Rico Argentine Mining Company as part of the VanWinkle mine complex until 1949. Copper, lead, and zinc were mined there. The construction and operating dates outline the history of this complex.

One structure served the Atlantic Cable Mine, which dates to 1878. It is considered one of the earliest mines in the Rico Mining District and one of the richest. This makes it possible to distinguish this early mining history chronologically from the operation of the VanWinkle mine complex.

The town’s early history is also represented by a building: a church built in 1890 as the “People’s Church” was the first church building in Rico. The dates mark different historical reference points—from the mine dating to 1878, to the 1890 church, to the mining operation that ended in 1949.

Putting Rico in Context as a Destination

For trip planning, it can help to compare different priorities: the trail offers a specific route, while the trail network covers several activities and the historic buildings offer insights into railroad, mining, and local history. If you’re looking for a hotel in Rico, you can first consider whether you’d like to focus your stay more on outdoor activities or on the town’s history.

Explore more destinations: Dove Creek

For the broader travel overview: Dolores County.