AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 26, 2026
Floodwaters Sweep Through Fun Valley Family Resort
On October 22, 2026, heavy rainfall led to devastating flooding at Fun Valley Family Resort, a well-known family vacation destination in South Fork, southern Colorado. The floodwaters destroyed crucial infrastructure, damaged accommodations, and left significant portions of the expansive property underwater.
Extensive Damage to Resort Property and Infrastructure
According to general managers Kathy and Mike Smith, who have dedicated the past decade to running the resort, the flooding inflicted severe damage. The resort, which spans roughly 250 to 260 acres and features around 400 RV sites, 85 lodging units, and 16 fishing ponds, saw water levels rise rapidly. The usually tranquil river expanded to cover nearly the entire park, overwhelming areas that are typically dry and well-managed.
Bridge Destruction and Lodging Losses
One of the most significant impacts was the destruction of key bridges and lodging units. Of the five bridges throughout the Fun Valley property, three were completely destroyed, while the remaining two suffered serious damage. Previously, separate flooding events had already weakened some infrastructure. Several red top lofts, popular rental accommodations, were swept into the river, and multiple trailers were carried away, only to become wedged against what remained of the bridges. The force of the floodwaters also uprooted large trees and carried debris into new areas, rerouting portions of the river through RV campsites and near the activity center. As Kathy Smith described, the property now resembles a landscape with "basically three rivers" instead of one.
Family Tradition Interrupted by Natural Disaster
Fun Valley Family Resort has been welcoming generations of visitors since 1959. Many families return year after year to the same campsites, building multigenerational traditions and memories. Mike Smith highlighted the special place the resort holds for visitors, referring to it as their "home away from home." Fortunately, due to the resort’s seasonal closure, no guests were present during the flooding, avoiding a potentially more dire outcome. One contractor working on-site during the flood attempted to clear debris but had to cease due to the overwhelming conditions. He was unharmed.
Community Support Provides Hope Amidst Uncertainty
Even as Kathy and Mike Smith continue to assess the full scale of the damage—which remains uncertain due to limited access across the resort—they are receiving strong support from the community. Former guests, employees, neighboring businesses, and fellow RV park operators have offered help and resources. One group from Amarillo, Texas, volunteered to bring a cleanup team, and a neighboring RV park extended help despite facing its own recovery process. Colorado RV, a longstanding partner, has offered both equipment and workers at no charge. Kathy Smith expressed that the community's support is vital to their recovery efforts.
Looking Ahead: Recovery Planning Underway
The Smiths stated that resort owners are expected to visit soon to discuss the next steps and formulate a recovery strategy. At this point, there is no official estimate of the total damage or a set timeline for reopening the resort. Nonetheless, the management team remains committed to restoring the resort so families can continue to make memories for generations to come.
Source: kdvr.com.
