by Michele Kadison

Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway
Beginning and End Points: Trinidad, Lamar
Points of interest: Trinidad, Trinidad State Park, Comanche National Grassland, Fort Carson, La Junta, Rocky Ford, Bent’s Old Fort, Las Animas, John Martin Reservoir State Park, Lamar
Distance one way: 188 miles
Estimated driving time: 4 hours

Trinidad
A lovely ranching and faming town, be sure to visit the Baca House, the Bloom Mansion, and the Santa Fe Trail Museum to learn about the roots of the area and how it served as an important stop for pioneers coming through the Santa Fe Trail.  Trinidad State Park, located along the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, is a beautiful park to explore with its plains and expansive views of the Colorado Rockies.  Within the park you will find Trinidad Lake with its abundant brown and rainbow trout, largemouth bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, catfish, and wipers.  Be sure to take your fishing gear to enjoy a day on this serene lake where there are boat launches for easy debarkation.  You will find many electrical hookups in the park, but none for water.  Showers, however, are available.

Comanche National Grassland
Look up and you will see hawks riding the airstreams looking for their daily meal.  Look elsewhere and you may catch sight of pronghorn antelope and colored pheasants covering these sweeping grasslands.  With many trails to follow, especially for those with ATVs or OHVs, you can find yourself deep in prairie land, exploring areas that have remained the same since the first pioneers traversed the region.  There is primitive camping in the grassland, but no RV hookups.  Picnic stops such as the Picture Canyon Picnic Area and the special-needs friendly Vogel Canyon Picnic Area are musts when you are ready to stop for refreshments in this magnificent open air setting.

Fort Carson
At this famous tank-maneuvering training ground, you will find an American tank with its turret pointed over the plains.  Take your camera for an unusual photograph to bring back to the folks at home.

La Junta
Located in the northeast region of Comanche National Grassland where the Santa Fe Scenic and Historic Byway leads away from Highway 30 to Highway 50, this town makes a lovely vacation stop.  Here you will find two special museums that provide interesting background on the history of the area, the Koshare Indian Museum, and the Otero Museum.

Rocky Ford
Ten miles northwest of La Junta on Highway 50 lies this fabulous agricultural market town where you can find some of the best produce in all of Colorado.  Stock up at some of the many roadside stands where you can enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables galore.

Bent’s Old Fort
As you make your way east on Highway 50, make a stop at Bent’s Old Fort where you will be entertained by costumed actors who will accompany you on your tour.  Here you will learn all about how relations between settlers and the Plains Indians were maintained during the early days.  The parking lot here is more than ample for large RVs.

Las Animas
With its strong agricultural roots, this small town rests on the western side of John Martin Reservoir where the Arkansas River flows to the north.  Don’t forget to stop at the Kit Carson Museum, a great place to learn about the area’s history.

John Martin Reservoir State Park
With approximately 2,000 acres of water, this state park is a must for anglers and boaters.  There are 213 campsites here, many of which have electrical and water hookups all year round.

Lamar
Stop in at the Colorado Welcome Center here to see this historic building that was once a train depot.  Here you can pick up all the information you need on the area, in pamphlet form or by asking the knowledgeable staff any question you may have.  Right outside you will see a huge steam locomotive, something as hard to miss as the giant windmill blade facing the main road.

No related posts.