20 Attractions to Explore Near Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

Cano's Castle, a popular folk art attraction made of beer cans and scrap metal in the small town of Antonito near the southern Colorado border, was heavily damaged by a fire Thursday morning, authorities said. Cano’s castle is actually four separate structures. “The king”, “the queen”, “the palace” and “the rook”. The four story “king” house, covered in gleaming beer cans and hubcaps, is his crowning architectural achievement.

The Lobato Bridge is the southernmost bridge over the Rio Grande River in Colorado. It sits on County Road G between Antonito and Jaroso, Colorado and was originally constructed in 1892 by Joseph F. Thomas. Also known as the Old State Bridge, it has been listed on the National Registry of Historic Structures since 1985. The bridge stretches 313.9 feet long with a deck width of 15.7 feet.

Culebra Creek is a stream in Costilla County, Colorado. It begins at the junction of El Valle and Carneros creeks and flows into the Rio Grande 11 miles east of Manassa, Colorado.The creek is the source of the San Luis People's Ditch, an acequia, which was given the highest priority water rights in the state. The entire Culebra Creek Watershed supports fourteen acequias.

Brownie Hills is one of the Summits in Costilla County. It is one of the iconic trekking destination and also it offers nice views of the area.

This is a beautiful hike with spectacular scenery as the payoff. After a brief uphill the trail levels off. Wear shoes that are waterproof. The snow melt off runs through June and sometimes into early July.This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and fishing, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The best times to visit this trail are May through October. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

The Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge covers 11,169 acres of high desert uplands and riparian wetlands in the San Luis Valley.The site consists of wet meadows, river oxbows and riparian corridor primarily within the flood plain of the Rio Grande, and dry uplands vegetated with greasewood and saltbush.It is considered to be more wild and less intensely managed than the nearby Monte Vista refuge.

The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad is Colorado's newest train offering steam engine rides through breathtaking mountain valleys and over legendary LaVeta pass on hundreds of miles of historic rail. This 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in standard gauge route, featuring a climb over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains via Veta Pass, dates back to 1899 and is a successor to the original 3 ft narrow gauge La Veta Pass line of the Denver and Rio Grande Railway, completed in 1878.

This is a 4-6-0 "Ten Wheeler" type narrow gauge steam railway locomotive. It is one of twelve similar locomotives built for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1883. It was built as a passenger locomotive, with 46 in drivers, the second largest drivers used on any three foot gauge D&RGW locomotive. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places as Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Locomotive No.169 in 2001.

This is the largest park in Alamosa. It is 14.5 acres and includes a baseball/softball field with announcer booth, three picnic shelters, a playground, skatepark, restrooms, bike pump track and dirt jumps, two walking loops and four horseshoe pits. .

A beautiful nature park, which features two covered picnic areas, trails, and several types of wildlife from deer to waterfowl, fox, and many bird species.

Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge is located in the San Luis Valley, a high mountain basin located in south-central Colorado. The site was historically an agricultural area and thus water is intensively managed on the refuge, especially in comparison to the nearby Alamosa refuge. Irrigation includes numerous dikes and other water control structures that provide water to a patchwork of diverse wetland habitats ranging from shallow wet meadows to open water.

The Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge covers 11,169 acres of high desert uplands and riparian wetlands in the San Luis Valley.The site consists of wet meadows, river oxbows and riparian corridor primarily within the flood plain of the Rio Grande, and dry uplands vegetated with greasewood and saltbush. These areas support a small but rich biodiversity including songbirds, water birds, raptors, red fox, mule deer, black bear, beaver and coyotes.

This is a major tributary river of the Rio Grande, is located in the U.S. states of Colorado and New Mexico. The river is about 130 miles long altogether. From its source to El Vado Dam its length is about 50 miles , from El Vado Dam to Abiquiu Dam is about 51 miles, and from Abiquiu Dam to its confluence with the Rio Grande is about 34 miles.

Sanchez Reservoir lies in far southcentral Colorado, west of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Costilla County. Its inflows include Ventero Creek and the Sanchez Canal, a diversion canal that takes water from Culebra Creek and two other creeks. Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages fishing at the reservoir, which forms the Sanchez Reservoir State Wildlife Area.

This is a statutory town that is the county seat and the most populous town of Costilla County, Colorado. The district contains an important collection of buildings that includes the county courthouse, the convent and Church of Most Precious Blood, numerous residences, and the town’s commercial core. The district also includes the Vega, a common ground for animal grazing, and the San Luis People’s Ditch. Listed under Culebra River Villages of Costilla County Multiple Property Submission.

Rio Grande National Forest comprises 1.86 million acres in south-central Colorado. It’s one of the more secluded national forests in the state and is located near Pagosa Springs and the town of Creede.The forest encompasses the San Luis Valley, which is the world's largest agricultural alpine valley, as well as one of the world's largest high deserts located around mountainsThere are numerous treasures to uncover in this often overlooked and under-visited part of the Rockies.

Smith Reservoir is located in Costilla County, Colorado, south of Blanca in the San Luis Valley.The lake and the land immediately surrounding it are also designated as the Smith Reservoir State Wildlife Area. It offers trout fishing, waterfowl hunting, and camping.

The Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge spans an area of 2,144 acres and was established in 1965. The primary focus of the refuge is to provide a habitat for the migrating birds that pass through the area. However, the refuge also supports a variety of other wildlife, including elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and coyotes. In addition to its abundant wildlife, the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge also features a variety of landscapes, from meadows and wetlands to forests and grasslands.

Bennett Peak is one of the many beautiful mountains in Rio Grande County, Colorado. It is known for its stunning views of the sangre de cristo mountains, as well as its proximity to the rio grande river. The peak is also a popular hiking destination, with several trails leading to the top. Despite its relatively small size, Bennett Peak is a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike.

The Colorado Historical Society restored the fort and opened the Fort Garland Museum in 1950. Restored and reconstructed buildings include the adobe Commandant's Quarters, where Kit Carson and his wife once lived the cavalry barracks with exhibits of Hispanic traditional arts and 19th century transportation artifacts, and officer's quarters. Permanent exhibits focus on Kit Carson and Buffalo Soldiers. The museum is administered by History Colorado.