Follow the West Elks Wine Trail to unlock an incredible flavor journey and some of the best views in the North Fork Valley. Our unique high-elevation, alpine-desert climate coupled with rich volcanic soil create conditions that provide for a bountiful, award-winning boutique winery scene that centers good farming practices and land first and foremost.
Come hungry. The North Fork Valley is home to an impressive mix of farm-to-table restaurants, cozy cafés, bakeries, wineries, cideries, food trucks, and small-town favorites.
The North Fork is home to countless artists and craftspeople that are both preserving the past through time honored traditions and envisioning a vibrant future with their talented imaginations. Find several galleries in both Hotchkiss and Paonia filled with local artworks ranging from ceramics to painting to locally-sourced textiles. Spend an afternoon perusing the creative scene for inspiration, the perfect gift, or even your new favorite art piece!
Nestled between two of Colorado’s largest wilderness regions, the outdoor recreation opportunities abound in the North Fork Valley. The North Fork of the Gunnison River offers world-class fly fishing, rafting and SUPing. Hike and mountain bike Jumbo Mountain or Needle Rock if you want to stay in the Valley or head up to Kebler Pass or the Grand Mesa for mountainous forests and alpine lake vibes. In the winter, the Grand Mesa turns into a winter wonderland with some of North America’s best crosscountry skiing.
In the tradition of the Old West, the North Fork Valley loves to gather round the fires for a good pickin’ session. Live music is a regular occurrence throughout the Valley with events like Pickin in the Park (every Thursday in August, Paonia Town Park), Mountain Harvest Festival (last weekend in September), and Big B’s Friday Night Live and Saturday Sessions (May through October) offering free, live music annually. Music in the North Fork isn’t limited to bluegrass though, enjoy a wide array of genres and local and traveling acts all happening under starlit, Certified Dark Skies.
