Santa Fe Trail
Places to Visit

  • 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.

    Location on Byway: Located on Hwy 194, seven miles east of La Junta, Co and 13 miles west of Las Animas, CO.

  • 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.

    Directions: Located one mile north of Lamar on US Hwy 50.

  • Boggsville (CO)

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

    Location on Byway: Las Animas, CO

  • 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.

    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.

    Location on Byway: La Junta, CO

  • Lamar Colorado Welcome Center (CO)

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

    Location on Byway: Located in Lamar at 109 E. Beech Street.

  • 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.

    Location on Byway: Located in Lamar at the corners of South Main and Beech near the Chamber of Commerce Office.

  • Picket Wire 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.

    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.

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

  • Sierra Vista Overlook (CO)

    For pioneers traveling south along the Santa Fe Trail, the changing horizon from plains to mountains was a major milestone on their journey. From this overlook, visitors can see for themselves what those early travelers saw.

    Directions: From La Junta, Colorado drive southwest on Hwy 350 for 13 miles. Turn right (north) at Highway 71 for 1/2 mile, then turn left (west) to the parking lot.