RGS RIVER TRAIL
Connecting Community
The RGS River trail traverses the Dolores River corridor along the abandoned Rio Grande Southern (“RGS”) railroad grade, extending 4.7 miles from the Town of Rico south to the Montezuma/Dolores County line. This trail project is a joint effort of RTA, the Town of Rico and the U.S. Forest Service. Much of the trail is already constructed. The last very critical (and most expensive) component of the trail is a new bridge the location where the historic RGS Railroad (Bridge 68A) once straddled the river (pictured in black and white).
The bridge will allow Rico’s RGS River trail to connect all the way through. The RGS leads hikers, bikers, trail runners, hunters and anglers to the 7+ mile Ryman Creek Trailhead and the 5+ mile Salt Creek trailhead, which both extend up to the legendary Colorado Trail. No more riding, running, walking down busy Highway 145 to get access to these trailheads.
Trails are a critical community asset and should be accessible to everyone. The RGS trail’s gentle grade will offer trail users of all abilities a doable trail option that also showcases our region’s past, featuring many old mining and railroad structures. The trail can also be groomed for nordic skiing, fat biking and snowshoeing and its northern 2 miles will accommodate handcycling.
We are diligently seeking grant funds, but your financial help is essential. Please donate now or feel free to reach out with any questions.
From its inception in 2017, RTA has led the effort to create the RGS River Trail and Bridge project. The planning and approval process was slow and arduous, but RTA worked diligently with the Forest Service and subcontractors to fulfill all the necessary NEPA and other federal requirements and simultaneously complete all local permitting and approvals with Dolores County. RTA is pursuing as many trail infrastructure grants as possible and will be launching the public phase of RTA’s “Connecting Community” RGS capital campaign to secure additional funds from private donors in order to bring the RGS River Trail project to fruition.
Our goal is to raise $319,000 to construct the RGS Bridge and the two remaining (northern) sections of the RGS River Trail in 2026/27. Upon completion, the RGS River Trail will provide an incredible opportunity for both locals and visitors, to explore areas that are currently inaccessible for most of the year due to the cold and often swift waters of the Dolores River bisecting the trail. The project will also infuse some much-needed vigor into the Town’s historic main street and strengthen community through trail connectivity and a greater awareness and appreciation of this area’s rich history, rugged alpine beauty and riparian ecosystems.
Project Impact
Complete the only non-motorized trail in this area with a gentle grade that will accommodate trail users of all ages and abilities;
Showcase numerous scenic vistas and historic mining and railroad remnants;
Provide year-round access to the former railroad grade for hiking, running, hand cycling, mountain biking, winter trail sports, search and rescue, and wildfire mitigation;
Provide a non-motorized crossing to the west side of the Dolores River and onto Forest Service land for hunting and fishing;
Be the only non-motorized trail groomed for nordic uses within 18 miles of Rico;
Provide a safe route to other trailheads, without the need for access via the heavily trafficked Colorado State Hwy 145; and
Create this valley’s first regional trail system by linking multiple existing, but previously unconnected, Forest Service trails to Rico’s valley floor.