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FOX31 Denver is on a week-long summer road trip through southwest Colorado. Each day this week we’ll take you to a new town and introduce you to some memorable characters. On the Sunday edition of FOX31 News at 9, Kevin Torres and Anne Herbst will show you how tens of thousands of bats fly out of the Orient Mine near Villa Grove each night during the summer months.
RELATED: Click for the latest #COroadtrip update
SAGUACHE COUNTY, Colo. — There’s something special about Colorado’s old mining towns. Whatever treasure wasn’t snatched from them more than a century ago is now being brought back to life in the form of a cultural awakening. That’s the case in Villa Grove, a small town about 30 minutes south of Salida.
The tiny Saguache County town is situated along US 285. It’s considered the northern gateway to the San Luis Valley. Villa Grove was once known as ‘Norton Villa,’ named after Frank Norton who was a stage agent. During the mining boom of the late 1800’s, Villa Grove was a popular stop along the narrow gauge railway.
These days, folks in Villa Grove are digging deeper and bringing the town’s rich history back to life. According to the Saguache County website, Village Grove has: a general store, two cafes, an art gallery, a production pottery shop, a liquor store, a motel and two bed and breakfasts.
One of the main attractions in Villa Grove is “Always Azul Pottery.” The pottery studio features plenty of art and also allows people to try their own hand at pottery.
Alan and his wife Diane own the pottery gallery and moved it to Villa Grove in 1996. You can learn more about the studio by visiting its Facebook page.
Hiking and Exploring
The Sange De Christo Mountain Range towers over the San Luis Valley and Villa Grove, providing some epic hiking! The U.S Forest Service recommends several different hiking spots located in and around Villa Grove, including:
Day Hiking
- Antora Creek Trail # 765
- Antora Meadows Trail # 764
- Black Canyon Trail #754
- Bonanza, CO
- Rawley 12 Trailhead
- Brewery Creek Guard Station Cabin
- Brewery Creek Trail # 762
- Elk Horn Trail # 925
- Flagstaff Trail # 763
- Garner Creek Trail #752
- Hot Springs Trail #753
- Indian Creek Cut-off Trail # 766.1
- Indian Creek Trail # 766
- Kelly Creek Trail # 923
- Major Creek Trail #751
- Simmons Peak Trail #757
- Steel Canyon Trail #755
Backpacking
- Antora Creek Trail # 765
- Black Canyon Trail #754
- Bonanza, CO
- Garner Creek Trail #752
- Major Creek Trail #751Fl
(Detailed locations and additional information for hiking locations can be found at this link)
Camping
When it comes to camping near Villa Grove, the Rio Grande National Forest is a fan favorite. Your best bet when deciding on a location is to contact the Rio Grande National Forest Office at:
US Forest Service
Rio Grande National Forest
1803 W. Highway 160
Monte Vista, CO 81144
Phone: 719-852-5941
Hearing Impaired: 719-852-6271
Historic Source: http://www.saguache.org/towns/villagrove/
#COroadtrip
Anne and Kevin will be travelling traveling 800 Rocky Mountain miles in all this week, visiting some pretty gnarly small towns. Along the way they’ll give their best recommendations and introduce you to some memorable characters.
Follow them on Facebook and on all other social channels — especially on Tumblr and Instagram — under the hashtag #COroadtrip. And please provide your recommendations to let them know some great places to visit in the areas where they’re travelling.
You can send those pics and recommendations using the #COroadtrip hashtag or by using the contact form below.