Southeast Itinerary
The Facts:
Start Location: Pueblo
Distance: 147 miles
Suggested Duration: 3 days
Map of Route
Begin your journey in the great ancestral town of Pueblo. Hop on a boat and float down the Arkansas River on a guided tour, or spend the morning meandering down the Arkansas Riverwalk. Shop for Western antiques and enjoy lunch at the Union Avenue Historic District. If you're with the kids, you'll love spending time at the Buell Children’s Museum, one of the top children’s museums in the country, or seeing the animals at the Pueblo Zoo. Wrap up a full day by spending the night at a local hotel.
From Pueblo, head east on Highway 96 to
La Junta. If you're getting hungry, make a pit stop in
Rocky Ford, a town synonymous with ripe melons of all varieties— and top-notch sweet corn, too. Continue on to La Junta and visit
Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site for a step back in time, where costume-clad guides lead you through an outpost where the legendary hunter Kit Carson served. This massive adobe trading post was critical to the area’s commerce in the 1830s. From here, travel the
Santa Fe Trail Scenic & Historic Byway to
Trinidad. As you pass across the fertile fields of the Arkansas River basin and the prairie lands of the
Comanche National Grasslands, keep your eyes peeled—it's a great place for bird watching.
Upon your arrival in Trinidad, take a few swings on the new Jack Nicklaus-designed
Cougar Canyon Golf Links. Then, visit the Bloom Mansion and the Baca House at the
Trinidad History Museum for an enlightening look at the settlement’s early days. Spend time meandering around the
El Corazon de Trinidad National Historic District. The 6.5 mile area is blanketed with old brick streets that, today, are lined with shops and cafes. For dinner, try the steaks at
Black Jack’s Saloon & Steakhouse and savor the Old West atmosphere mixed with Victorian elegance.
Insider’s Tip:
The Colorado State Fair is held in Pueblo each August. This is a great time to visit and sample local products, check out local livestock and see great musical performances and rodeos. Return just a few weeks later for the annual Chile & Frijoles Festival in September.
Travel Information:
Colorado Welcome Center, Lamar
US Highway 50, 109 East Beech Street
(719) 336-3483
Colorado Welcome Center, Trinidad
I-25 at exit 14
(719) 846-9512