Santa Fe Trail
Places to Visit

  • Bent's Old Fort

    Bent's Old Fort (CO)

    This fort is a reconstruction of Bent's Fort which was originally built in the 1830s. The fort played an important role as a trading post for trappers and the Plains Indians and also as supply depot during the Mexican American War.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    Located on Hwy 194, seven miles east of La Junta, Co and 13 miles west of Las Animas, CO.
  • Big Timbers Museum

    Big Timbers Museum (CO)

    In the 1860s, there was a trading post at this location. The site gets its name from the giant cottonwood trees, which lined both banks of the Arkansas River in this area.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    Located one mile north of Lamar on US Hwy 50.
  • Boggsville

    Boggsville (CO)

    Boggsville was the first settlement in southeast Colorado and has been home to many pioneers, including Kit Carson.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    Las Animas, CO

  • Fort Lyon National Cemetery (CO)

    Named for the first Union General to die in the Civil War, Nathaniel Lyon, the Fort Lyon National Cemetery was established in 1887 but abandoned in 1897. The remains of soldiers were then moved to the Fort McPhearson National Cemetery in Nebraska. Almost a decade later, the buildings at the site were converted to a sanatorium to treat soldiers with tuberculosis and burials began again in 1907. Several Civil War veterans are buried here.

    Location:

    15700 County Road HH
    Las Animas, CO 81054
  • Iron Springs Historic Area

    Iron Springs Historic Area (CO)

    Iron Spring was an important water stop for travelers on the Santa Fe Trail. Between 1861 and 1871, Iron Spring was also used as a stage coach station. Trail ruts are still visible just west of the parking lot.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    From La Junta, Colorado drive southwest on Highway 350 for 27 miles. Turn left (south) at County Road 9 for 1 mile and then right (west) to the parking lot.

  • Koshare Indian Museum & Kiva (CO)

    The Koshare Indian Museum hosts the Koshare Indian Dancers and a collection of artifacts.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    La Junta, CO

  • Lamar Colorado Welcome Center (CO)

    This welcome center is the only one of its kind in the southeastern Colorado area.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    Located in Lamar at 109 E. Beech Street.
  • Madonna of the Trail

    Madonna of the Trail (CO)

    This beautiful statue is one of twelve such monuments sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Each of these markers designates one of the old national trails such as the Santa Fe Trail.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    Located in Lamar at the corners of South Main and Beech near the Chamber of Commerce Office.
  • Picketwire Canyonlands

    Picketwire Canyonlands (CO)

    Visitors to this location will find Indian rock art, ruins of the Delores Mission and Cemetery, and the largest documented dinosaur tracksite in North America.

    Distance from byway: 27 mi / 43.5 km
    Travel time: 40 minutes
    Directions:

    From La Junta, Colorado drive south on Highway 109 for 13 miles; turn right (west) on County Road 802 (Vogel Canyon Road) and continue for 8 miles. Turn left (south) on County Road 25 and continue for 6 miles to the Corral Parking Area.

  • Santa Fe Trail Marker (CO)

    This marker was donated in 1906 by the Daughters of the American Revolution of the State of Colorado.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    Located on the west side of Hwy 50, about two miles north of the Chamber of Commerce Office.