The Great Sand Dunes are one of nature's most painstaking creations. Hundreds of feet high and more than a thousand miles from the nearest ocean beach, these huge drifting dunes accumulated over the eons as winds gathered and swept sand against the west face of the Sangre de Cristo Range. That slow, determined process reflects the spirit of the San Luis Valley - a high, enormous, sun-baked flat between the Sangres and the San Juan foothills. Life seems not to have changed much since the 1600s, when Spain cast a claim over this region.
Situated near and through federal recreation and preservation lands, Los Caminos allows travelers to embark on adventures all their own. The last leg of the route enters Rio Grande National Forest. Campers make the forest's serene surroundings a sanctuary for their pursuits. At the beginning of the byway, the traveler encounters Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Hikers find the dunes a wonderful challenge that offers satisfying views and rewarding physical effort. Hunters discover a haven during hunting season at either Monte Vista or Alamosa National Wildlife Refuges. Along Los Caminos any outdoor enthusiast enjoys an abundance of out-of-doors experiences.
Los Caminos will take travelers through some of Colorado's early history. Explore San Luis, Colorado's oldest surviving community or the state's oldest church, Our Lady of Guadalupe, in Conejos. Several museums along the byway, such as the one at Fort Garland, one of Colorado's first military posts, introduce visitors to south central Colorado's history and culture. San Luis Valley also offers many guided and self-guided tours intent on acquainting tourists with local sites and scenery. There is so much to see and do along Los Caminos Antiguos: drive, explore, learn - there is plenty of it to spare!
