3 Scenic Byways: Short Walks, Long Views
Three Scenic Byways in Southern Colorado offer a 3-day road tour for travelers who like frequent stops, short walks and awe-inspiring walking trails that are good for both kids and dogs.
Day 1 - Highway of Legends Scenic and Historic Byway
Breakfast:
Bob and Earl's - Trinidad
Providing great food since 1993. Here you can leave the mood of the Interstate behind, and pick up the quieter rhythm of a historic two-land road on Hwy 12.
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Locally Owned and Operated!
Lunch:
Stonewall Shopping Bag Restaurant - Stonewall
Website >
Stretch your legs at the best miniature general store for miles in any direction. Save room for a piece of homemade pie! Engage the friendly owners with questions about the mystic landscapes and awe-inspiring geology that lies ahead.
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Locally Owned and Operated!
- Sustainability Activity -
Cuchara Mountain Park - Cuchara
Website
Looking to give back to Colorado during your visit?
Here is a volunteer opportunity! Work to improve the
Cuchara Mountain Park is an ongoing process.
Sign up here
Dinner:
Legends on Main - La Veta
Website >
Newly opened in 2020, offering an Authentic New Mexican and International food in the European tradition. A small restaurant with an even smaller kitchen produces clean, quality, from scratch food from around the globe. Think locally, cook globally!! Dine in the open air on the spacious adobe courtyard.
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Locally Owned and Operated
Lodging:
Two Fox Cabins and RV - La Veta
Website >
Tuck into a 2-3 or 4 bedroom cabin next to a creek, and located just one block from Downtown La Veta. Imagine yourself on a lazy morning, basking in the Colorado sunshine and enjoying the 360-degree views.
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Locally Owned and Operated!
Day 2 - Los Caminos Scenic and Historic Byway
Breakfast:
The Bakery or Charlie’s Market - La Veta
Website > (Charlie's)
Website > (Ryus)
Ryus - “The Bakery” open 7-2pm T, Th, and Sat.
Charlie’s - open 7 days a week: M-Sat 7-7; Sun 8-5
If you are lucky enough to be in town on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday, breakfast at “The Bakery” is a must! If it is any other day, head for Charlie’s Market and pick up a deli breakfast. Charlie’s is the undisputed center of day-to-day life in La Veta. And you could have an ice cream cone for breakfast!
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Read more > (Ryus)
Locally Owned and Operated!
- Insider's Tip -
Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area - The Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic Byway
is located within the Heritage Area. The mission of the SdCNHA is to promote, preserve,
protect,and interpret its profound historical, religious, environmental, geographic,
geologic, cultural, and linguistic resources of the Costilla, Alamosa, and Conejos counties.
https://www.sangreheritage.org/
Activity:
Fort Garland Museum and Cultural Center - Fort Garland
You’ll get your walking accomplished by exploring the parade grounds and historic adobe buildings in the 1858 Fort Garland fort. Learn about the Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th Cavalry and discover Colorado’s role in the Civil War.
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Lunch:
All-Gon Restaurant and Pizzeria - Fort Garland
Website >
Order yourself a picnic lunch from All-Gon, then head one block over to the town park for picnic tables and a spectacular view of Blanca Massif. Make sure you stock up on snacks and plenty of water to take with you to the Great Sand Dunes National Park.
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Locally Owned & Operated!
Activity:
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve - Mosca
Website >
People of all ages play here. They either walk, run, roll or jump on the massive dunes themselves, hike the trails, or splash in the shallow Medano Creek, a stream that flows around the base of the Dunes. Visitor Center and restrooms.
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- Sustainability Activity-
San Luis Valley Museum Association
Website >
Looking to give back to Colorado during your visit? Here is a donation opportunity!
The San Luis Valley Museum Association is an all-volunteer non-profit that
supports the efforts of 22 museums throughout the Mystic San Luis Valley.
Donations would go to help on projects to preserve the history,
heritage and culture of Southern Colorado.
Read more >
- Insider Tip -
Enjoy the Dark Skies in the Mystic San Luis Valley’s towns of La Veta, Cuchara,
Crestone, Lake City, Westcliffe, and Creede as well as the
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve that are part of
the Colorado Stargazing group @ https://www.colorado.com/coloradostargazing
Experience the Night!
Day 3 - Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway
- Sustainability Activity -
Beaver Blitz! Citizen Science at South Fork
Hike along creeks near South Fork and record information about
the presence or absence of beavers and help inform riparian management.
July 17 -18. Minimum age 18. Contact Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado to register:
303-715-1010 ext 115. Physical difficulty is rated moderate to difficult.
The above itinerary is a collaborative effort by the San Luis Valley Museum Association, the Scenic Highway of Legends, Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic Byway, Silver Thread Scenic Byway and the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area.
