Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 1881 Denver & Rio Grande Railroad South Fork Water Tank is one of the few surviving tanks built in the late 1800s by the D&RG railroad and the last example of its type on the 22.8-mile Creede Branch. Tanks of identical design, materials, and construction were built throughout the D&RG system in the last two decades of the 19th century. The tank provided water for countless steam locomotives from its construction in 1881 until the end of steam locomotive operations in 1956.

Experience the history and charm of the western mining town of Creede--the late 19th-century architecture and stunning natural setting make for an unforgettable visit to the west end of the San Luis Valley. Set between the surrounding cliffs of Willow Creek Canyon once romanticized as "Devil's Gate" by local 19th-century poet Harriet Wason, today downtown Creede is home to an exceptional selection of shops, art galleries, and eateries, as well as the nationally acclaimed Creede Repertory Theatre. Pick up the self-guided walking tour booklet at the Creede Historic Museum or in downtown stores to get the back-story on Creede's many fabulous structures.

A trip up the 7-mile trail by foot or by 4-wheel drive vehicle is only for the well prepared. However, the ghostly spires and flowing folds of earth will reward you with one of the most astounding geologic sites in Colorado. The unearthly landscape seems to have been plucked from an alien planet and dropped in the middle of the forest. The 640 acre area became America's first National Monument in 1908 but was later decommissioned due to its inaccessibility. There is now a rough 4-wheel drive road to the site, but many say it's easier and faster to walk.

The Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway winds through the Gunnison and Rio Grande National Forests, connecting the towns of South Fork, Creede and Lake City and ending at Blue Mesa reservoir. You'll encounter astounding geological formations, abundant wildlife, and much of Colorado's early history along the way. The Silver Thread Interpretive Center in South Fork will give you all the information you need for this journey on one of Colorado's most fascinating historic byways.

A trip to the Creede Underground Mining Museum is an education in mining techniques and the boom days of Creede. You'll learn about stopeing, what Lymers are, blacksmithing, mucking, blasting and assaying, all underground in the cool heart of the mountain. Twenty-two displays show how mining was done in Creede from the 1890s until the last mine closed in 1985. To lead you through the displays, there is a 30-minute self-guided audio tour or a 1-hour docent-guided tour. The museum store sells a unique selection of minerals and local history related gifts.

Let your rock hound run free among the fossil and mineral formations found in the Creede Caldera. Intensely volcanic millions of years ago, the Creede area contains many sites where you can explore the fossil remains of ancient volcanic lakes and look for mineral samples that were created in the furnaces of the caldera. There are many excellent viewing places throughout the area to entice the intrepid mineral buff. For more casual travelers, four such sites, including the astounding Clear Creek Falls, are accessible by car and are interpreted by Forest Service and Geological Society pamphlets available at museums and visitor centers.

Dig deep into the history of the mining town of Creede at the Creede Historical Museum, which showcases artifacts and memorabilia from the local area and surrounding Mineral County. Highlights include an early hearse and fire wagon, a beautiful old bar, camera and political button collections, and historic photos of people, mines, ranches, businesses, and every-day life. A self-guided tour booklet of the museum explains many of the exhibits. The gift shop offers books on mining and local history, Creede Historical Society publications, including a walking tour booklet of the town of Creede, post cards, and photos ready to be framed.

The old mine structures and shafts of the Creede Mining district will fire your imagination about the struggle of miners digging ore in the steep cliffs above Creede. The Bachelor Historic Loop Tour takes you by 17 mine sites that brought wealth to some and hard, dangerous work for many others. Sites are interpreted by a booklet available at museums and the Creede Chamber of Commerce. There is also an interpretive marker near site #17, the underground firehouse, on the north end of Creede. Stop and explore the history of this once bustling area.

The Silver Thread Interpretive Center provides visitors with booklets, maps and a wealth of information about the Silver Thread Scenic Byway (CO Hwy 149) and points of interest throughout the San Luis Valley and Rio Grande National Forest. Get oriented by making this your first stop when entering the San Luis Valley from the west on US Hwy 160 or before you drive north on the byway from South Fork to visit Creede.