Land, Water, and Rails: Conservation in Action in South Fork, Colorado
You might come rail biking in South Fork, Colorado, for the sweeping mountain views or the thrill of a new outdoor adventure, but something deeper is happening beneath your wheels. While pedaling through the San Luis Valley or along the Rio Grande, you also ride alongside a story of conservation, care, and connection.
One of the most remarkable things about rail biking is how little we need to change in order to create something new. At Revolution Rail, we repurpose existing rail lines to create guided biking experiences that allow guests to explore without paving new roads or disturbing fragile ecosystems.
Our South Fork route runs right along the Rio Grande, a river that’s more than just scenic—it's essential. It irrigates local ranches, sustains wetland habitats, and feeds an entire watershed stretching into New Mexico and Texas, all the way to Northern Mexico. The river, and the land around it, aren’t just beautiful—they’re vital.
Why the San Luis Valley Matters
The San Luis Valley is technically a high-altitude desert, getting less than 10 inches of precipitation annually on the valley floor. Yet, thanks to the Rio Grande and the surrounding mountains, it remains one of the most ecologically important regions in Colorado. And its protection depends largely on one thing: private land.
More than 90% of the lands protected by the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust (RiGHT) are working farms and ranches. These properties are protected through conservation easements: voluntary legal agreements that allow landowners to keep their land while permanently limiting future development. That means no subdivisions, no sprawling development—just open, productive landscapes preserved for the long haul.
These aren’t preserved as museum pieces—they’re living, productive, multi-generational staples of the San Luis Valley.
Founded in 1999 by a grassroots coalition of local residents, RiGHT was created in response to attempts to buy up valley land and export water to Colorado’s Front Range, a fast-growing urban corridor that includes cities like Denver, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins. These water export schemes posed a serious threat to the Valley’s agricultural way of life and delicate ecosystem. Since then, RiGHT has helped protect nearly 35,000 acres of land through conservation easements.
“The biggest conservation challenge the San Luis Valley faces today is water. Our farms, wildlife, and rural way of life all rely on snowmelt that feeds the Rio Grande and recharges the aquifer. But with the ongoing drought, everything is under pressure. We have to find ways to adapt.”
Agriculture, wildlife, and recreation here all depend on the seasonal melt from the San Juan Mountains and the consistent flow of the Rio Grande. With hotter temperatures and shifting weather patterns, protecting the Valley’s water system and the lands it supports has never been more important.
In South Fork, our rail biking experience runs right alongside the Rio Grande, weaving riders into the heart of this vital waterway’s story. Robert Harte, CEO of Revolution Rail,, emphasizes:
“The Rio Grande is the lifeblood of the San Luis Valley—and for so many communities downstream, too. It’s at the heart of our South Fork rail bike rides. We’re not just connected to the river—we’re invested in keeping it beautiful.”
A River, a Landscape, and a Way of Life
The San Luis Valley’s patchwork of public and private lands sustains farmers and ranchers who rely on the Rio Grande for irrigation, while also serving as critical habitat for elk, deer, migratory birds, and native trout.
At Revolution Rail, we don’t take those open landscapes for granted.
Unlike traditional development that requires clearing land and laying new infrastructure, rail biking allows us to use what already exists. We don’t build new tracks, disrupt habitats, or tear up the rails—we preserve them.
This means that rather than removing trees, rerouting waterways, or encroaching on fragile ecosystems, we use the historic railbeds already in place and offer an adventure that blends seamlessly with the environment. These tracks were once used to move timber, ore, and goods. Now, they move people—curious, nature-loving rail bikers—through the landscapes conservationists are working to protect.
A Commitment to Stewardship
We’re proud to work alongside RiGHT and other nonprofit organizations, landowners, and local communities who care deeply about the places we ride..
These partnerships make our rides better. But more than that, they give our riders a way to be part of something bigger.
At Revolution Rail, our values guide everything we do:
Stewardship – We take responsibility for preserving the historic railways and surrounding lands.
Collaboration – We work with land trusts, conservation groups, and local communities to ensure our trails remain protected.
Education – Every ride tells a story, from the history of the rails to the importance of preserving our landscapes.
Low-Impact Adventure – We prioritize sustainability, ensuring our experiences enhance, rather than harm, the environment.
Ride with Purpose
For those looking to go deeper, there are plenty of ways to support conservation efforts in the San Luis Valley and in your own corner of the world:
Attend a local event or land trust fundraiser put on by your favorite nonprofit organization(s)
Support businesses that respect and prioritize the health of the land—however that may look, from sustainable practices to community partnerships or conservation-minded values.
Financial support via donations is a critical lifeline for operations. Many nonprofits like RiGHT rely heavily on federal funding, which can be inconsistent from year to year. Even small actions—like buying a raffle ticket or attending a local tour—can help protect big landscapes!
Rail biking is an invitation to see, feel, and understand the land in a new way. Seeing the land and water firsthand builds understanding. And that understanding fuels appreciation for what it takes to keep places like this protected—not just for wildlife, but for the people who live and work here too. Explore our scenic routes in South Fork, CO, and ride with purpose.
By choosing a low-impact form of recreation like rail biking, you’re helping preserve our lands, our waterways, and our history. Join us as we help keep these landscapes beautiful—for today and for generations to come.
