18 Attractions to Explore Near John Martin Reservoir

John Martin Reservoir State Park is a state park in Colorado. It contains John Martin Reservoir, which is the second largest body of water in Colorado by capacity. It is also known for being a prime birdwatching location. It provides uncrowded boating, waterskiing, and spectacular conditions for a wide variety of wind water sports.

A beautiful lake lcoated in the heart of Bent county and is fas for so many recreational facilities and also fishing is possible here. The Lake Hasty Campground is open year round with electrical hookups (20, 30 and 50 amp) at each of the 109 sites

A National Cemetery located near the city of Las Animas in Bent County, Colorado. It encompasses 51.9 acres and as of 2014 had 2,556 interments. It is administered by the Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver County, Colorado.

Boggsville is a former settlement in Bent County, Colorado. It includes a 39-acre National Register District with two early territorial-style adobe structures, the 1866 Boggs House and the 1867 Prowers house. The site is owned by the Pioneer Historical Society of Bent County and operated as a seasonal interpretive museum. The surviving structures are among the earliest examples of Territorial architecture in Colorado. Boggsville was the last home of frontiersman Kit Carson.

The Prowers Bridge over the Arkansas River near Prowers, Colorado is a historic bridge that was built in 1902 by the Pueblo Bridge Co.. It includes 3 Camelback truss, 2 Pratt through truss and one Pratt pony truss components. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.It is the last surviving out of more than 6 multispan bridges built during 1890-1910 that crossed the wide floodplains of the lower Arkansas River.

Bent's New Fort was a historic fort and trading post along the banks of the Arkansas River in what is now Bent County. It features a reconstructed 1840s adobe fur trading post on the mountain branch of the Santa Fe Trail where traders, trappers, travelers, and the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes came together in peaceful terms for trade.

Blue Lake Reservoir is located in Bent County, Colorado. it is one of the iconic attraction in this area and is apt for many leisure activities and the area around the reservoir is also a good trekking area.

The Madonna of the Trail is a statue commemorating the women who blazed the trails westward across America. It stands 12 feet tall and depicts a woman leading her two children westward. The statue is located in Prowers County, Colorado, and is one of many replicas that can be found across the United States. The statue represents the courage and determination of the pioneer women who helped settle the American West.

Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site commemorates a significant chapter in American history. Founded in 1833, the fort was a key trading post for goods flowing between the United States and Santa Fe. For nearly two decades, the fort was a thriving community, with traders, trappers, Native Americans, and other passersby all coming together to trade goods and share stories. Today, visitors can explore the restored fort, which contains original and replica buildings, as well as a museum.

The Koshare Museum & Trading Post is a multi-purpose facility that serves as a museum, educational center, and trading post. The facility is located in Otero county, Colorado, and is operated by the Otero County Historical Society. The museum houses a collection of artifacts that date back to the early days of the region, including items that were used by the native Ute and Kiowa peoples. The educational center offers classes on a variety of topics, including local history and culture.

The Holbrook Reservoir is located in Otero county. It was created in 1965 with the construction of a dam on the Cimarron River. The reservoir covers an area of 1,200 acres and has a capacity of 45,000 acre-feet. The primary purpose of the reservoir is to provide irrigation water for agricultural users in the area. However, it also serves as a recreation destination, offering fishing, boating, and camping opportunities.

This is a large, shallow lake, with aver- age depths of less than 10 ft. Frequent wind and wave actions tends to keep the water fairly turbid. The lake is popular among jet skiers. Camping at the lake is free, but amenities are limited. There is one dirt boat ramp and one jet ski ramp.

Two Buttes Reservoir is a shrinking man made lake located within the Two Buttes SWA near Two Buttes, Colorado.The 1909 dam is significant for its engineering and as an intact example of a turn-of-the-century earthen dam. The dam was built before machinery with horses, mules and hand labor. Two Buttes State Wildlife Area lies at the foot of the dam.

This is a 1,100 surface-acre reservoir located north of Ordway and Sugar City, Colorado. Popular amongst anglers and birders, Lake Henry has a surface elevation of 4,367 feet and is free to access in Crowley County. A good picnic location and also there is options for trekking and so more.

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site is a National Historic Site in Kiowa County. It sheds light on a chaotic, horrific, tumultuous, and bloody moment in American history. The site encompasses 12,583 prairie acres, of which less than a quarter is federally owned.There’s not too much to the monument, just a half-mile trail to an overlook with interpretive displays, a picnic area, and a visitor center. The visitor center has a small bookstore and related exhibits.

The Amache National Historic Site is located in Prowers County, Colorado. It was established in 1965 to preserve the site of the Amache Internment Camp, which was used to imprison Japanese Americans during World War II. Today, the site is open to the public and features a variety of interpretive exhibits. Visitors can also explore the remains of the camp, including the foundations of buildings and surfaces where internees wrote messages on the ground.

The Crowley County Heritage Center is a fantastic place to learn about the history of the county and the families who homesteaded the area. It has been welcoming individuals for nearly 100 years. Founded in 1914, it first served as a school for the surrounding community. It houses a vast collection of articles specializing in life on the plains and the history of Crowley County.

The Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway is a 143-mile route through southeastern Colorado that follows the path of the historic Santa Fe Trail. The byway begins in Trinidad and winds its way north through the countryside, passing by fields of waving grass and ancient rock formations. Along the way, visitors can explore local museums, take a scenic drive through Comanche National Grassland, or hike to the top of Rocky Ford Mesa for a view of the valley below.