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Westward Expansion: Follow the Santa Fe Trail
This itinerary alerts travelers on US 50 to a wealth of historic sites, nature areas and recreational opportunities within a stone's throw of the highway. It includes three historic sites of national significance and the largest body of water in this part of the state.
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2 Days/1 Night
A straight East-West drive from Holly to La Junta on US 50 along the Arkansas River
Destinations Include:
Holly
Camp Amache
John Martin Reservoir
Boggsville
Bent's Old Fort
Koshare Indian Museum
Day One: Holly
Drive into Colorado from Kansas on US 50, and take time to see Holly, a town now rebuilding after a tornado that hit the town in March 2007, devastating City Park and many residences, but sparing the historic downtown. Continue on to Granada to take a self-guided tour of Camp Amache, one of ten World War II Japanese internment facilities. In Lamar, visit the Big Timbers Museum before continuing on to John Martin Reservoir, the largest body of water in the region and a migratory stop for many species of birds. Here you can see ruts from the Santa Fe Trail, hike on the Red Shin Trail, or fish and boat on the reservoir. Overnight at The Hasty Retreat Bed and Breakfast at the entrance to the State Park, or Bent's Fort Inn in Las Animas.
Day Two: Las Animas, La Junta
In Las Animas, visit Boggsville, an important settlement on the Santa Fe Trail, and Bent's Old Fort which offers guided tours by National Park Service interpretive guides. La Junta is the last stop on US 50 for the Mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail. On the campus of Otero Junior College you will find the Koshare Indian Museum which houses an important collection of Native American art, a gift shop, and a performance space that was constructed to showcase a local Boy Scout troop that has studied and performed Native American dances for over seventy-five years. Just a few blocks from the museum is La Junta's city park which is encircled by excellent stone construction accomplished by WPA crews following the Dust Bowl Era.
