Canyons & Plains

Situated on the New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas borders, Baca County lies in the crossroads of the history-rich West. Visit celebrated historical sites related to the Santa Fe Trail, Dust Bowl, Works Progress Administration, homesteading, early and modern ranching, and Native American heritage. Plan to pause for 64 rustic stone, brick and concrete New Deal-era landmarks. Love the outdoors? Visitors will appreciate ancient Native American petroglyphs in Comanche National Grassland's colorful canyons along with the tranquil waters at Two Buttes Reservoir and Turks Pond. Or get your fill of activities like hunting, fishing, hiking, birding and more. The county is home to five of the 14 trails that make up the Colorado Birding Trail. More than 400 species of feathered creatures thrive here in an abundance of sweet Colorado air and pristine natural habitat.

If you're a history buff, avid birder or true-blue lake lover, Bent County may be your Shangri-La! It's named in honor of frontier trader and rancher William Bent, a mediator between Native American tribes and the United States government, as well as an intertribal mediator for the many nations who lived north and south of the Arkansas River. John Martin Reservoir State Park, a watersports and birdwatcher haven, is located about 20 minutes east of Las Animas (the county seat). It's the second largest body of water in Colorado, and it's close to historic sites like Boggsville, Fort Lyon, the Kit Carson Chapel and the Fort Lyon National Cemetery. About 400 avian species make their nests in Bent County, too, making it a nationally known birding hotspot.

Head to Crowley County for fun in the sunshine and shimmering waters. Several no-fee lakes offer abundant birding, boating, watersports, swimming and fishing. Camp for a hiatus from metropolitan living. If you prefer the comforts of a hotel, the Hotel Ordway offers many clean, spacious rooms. If a guesthouse is more your style, Three Dog Night, right on Lake Meredith, delivers comfort, tranquility and solitude. Satisfy your cravings with mouthwatering goodies from a variety of nearby restaurants. For camping or picnic supplies, visit the local convenience and grocery stores. The communities in the area have well-cared-for parks with play equipment, picnic shelters and tables perfect for family gatherings. For those who simply can't sit still, Crowley County boasts tennis courts, baseball fields and miles of bicycling and jogging space.

Escape from life's hustle and bustle to Kiowa County's magical prairie lands. Located just west of the Kansas state line, Kiowa is the embodiment of Colorado’s expansive Great Plains. Startlingly colorful sunrises and sunsets frame the natural beauty of the area. Here, appreciate the confetti of wildflowers dotting the grasslands that promise otherwordly, unobstructed views. South of Eads, the Great Plains' rippling reservoirs provide a wealth of opportunities for hunting and fishing, or simply sitting back and watching deer, pronghorn, birds and other wildlife. For those who want to delve a little deeper, the county holds a rich and diverse history — from Native American cultures and pioneers traversing the plains to the ranches and agricultural fields that are the backbone of the county today.

A borderland between jutting mountains and picture-perfect plains, Las Animas County and Trinidad are a geographic frontier. Few towns in Colorado have undergone such a dramatic resurgence in recent years, the biggest being the opening of a new state park — Fishers Peak. Hop on the Highway of Legends scenic byway to see geological wonders like Cretaceous-Paleogene Boundary at Trinidad Lake State Park and the Spanish Peaks' radial dykes. Enjoy a laid-back game of golf on the historical course or a stroll along the Purgatoire Riverwalk. Revel in creative silliness with Trinidad’s Art Cartopia Museum and meet those who put the “heart” into the Corazon de Trinidad, one of the state's best preserved, historical downtowns. Mesas, mountains, rivers and lakes also yield an abundance of recreational opportunities for hunting, hiking, cycling, fishing and more.

Otero County is rich with history, heritage, starry nights, tarantulas, cantaloupes and much more. Named for Miguel Antonio Otero, one of the founders of La Junta and a member of a prominent Hispanic family, it’s found along historic U.S. Hwy. 50, the “Coast to Coast Highway” that runs from La Junta and Swink to Rocky Ford, Manzanola and Fowler. Explore 440,000 acres of petroglyphs, abandoned homesteads, abundant wildlife and the largest dinosaur-track site in North America on the Comanche National Grassland. Or travel along the Old Santa Fe Trail — America’s first internationally famous highway — stopping at Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site. One of 26 scenic and historic byways, the Santa Fe Trail connects the dots between the state's canyons and plains. Stop at summertime produce stands for mouthwatering Rocky Ford cantaloupes and watermelons.

Prowers County is loved for its natural beauty, frontier history and plentiful outdoor recreation. And with a location at the crossroads of U.S. 50 and U.S. 287, this spot is a perfect start to a road trip. Named for pioneer John W. Prowers, the region regales outdoor adventurers with activities like birding, camping, fishing and hunting. Historic points of interest include the Amache Relocation Center (now Amache National Historic Site), a World War II internment camp, and the Madonna of the Trail, a Santa Fe Trail monument. The Big Timbers Museum, named for the cottonwoods that lined the Arkansas River, displays information and artifacts focused on frontier life, the Dust Bowl and the Sand Creek Massacre. Bring your binoculars to watch for red-bellied woodpeckers, Inca doves and northern cardinals. Walk softly at Two Buttes Reservoir State Wildlife Area, and you just might see wildlife like snakes, toads, lizards, raccoons, turtles and coyotes. Pause for 16 National Register of Historic Places properties and districts as you go. If you're a links lover, find time for a challenging, nine-hole game at Lamar’s Spreading Antlers Golf Course.

See art created by Colorado painters, Doug and Lori Holdread of Trinidad, highlighting historical stories about the Santa Fe Trail, Bent’s Old Fort, the Sand Creek Massacre, the Dust Bowl and more.