Take the road less traveled in southeastern Colorado, delving into historic people and places on a scenic drive.
Highway of Legends National Scenic Byway
Native American Utes once lived in the valleys of the Spanish Peaks. Anglo-Hispanic settlers and traders explored the land, and brave souls flocked to its rich mineral deposits.
Hear these stories and more on this 82-mile, two-hour scenic drive through the Canyons & Plains region. Download the free Travel Stories App and listen as you go.
Starting at the Colorado Welcome Center in Trinidad, the route winds through mountain villages, ranchland, and scenic peaks. Along Highway 160, view vertical volcanic formations radiating outward from mountains – the Great Dikes of Spanish Peaks Country. Experience the shadowy heights of the Rockies’ Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the red rock Dakota Wall, and the Devil’s Stairsteps. As you pass the old mining town of Cokedale, you’ll spot coke ovens that resemble Roman ruins – remnants of an era when coal was purified. A new 35-mile extension from the town of Aguilar on I-25 over Cordova Pass connects back to Highway 12 at Cuchara Pass.
Santa Fe Trail National Scenic Byway
With the Purgatoire River nearby, this section of the Santa Fe Trail National Scenic Byway served as a popular segment for trade and social interaction, connecting the established prairie states and new western territories. Thousands of people headed west, seeking to lay claim to land.
The Great Prairie Highway stretches through Trinidad, from the New Mexico border to Kansas. Begin your journey at the Trinidad History Museum and the 1870s-era adobe Baca House to learn about the nation’s first commercial highway.
Then, hop in the car to explore the route with historic markers along I-25, US-50, and US-160, which stretches to Comanche National Grassland in Colorado’s Canyons & Plains region. Head south down to Ratón Pass, a crucial entry point through the snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains, a respite where wagons could better navigate the terrain. Along this section of the trail, enjoy bird watching, fishing, biking, and wildlife viewing.
