Huerfano County: Mountains, Trails and Culture

Along the Highway of Legends, the landscape ranges from the heights of the Sangre de Cristos and the Spanish Peaks to the red rock walls of the Dakota Wall and the Devil’s Stairsteps. Huerfano County combines striking scenery with trails, museums and seasonal events, so you can plan a trip around a wide range of interests.

Landscapes and Trails

A 35-mile extension of the Highway of Legends follows Huerfano/Las Animas County Road No. 46 through the San Isabel National Forest. In winter, conditions may affect sections of the route; check conditions before setting out. West Spanish Peak is known for its dikes, which radiate outward from the mountain. Their radial arrangement is a distinctive feature of the mountain.

At Lathrop State Park, the three-mile Cuerno Verde Trail loops around Martin Lake and is popular with cyclists. Together with the Hogback Trail, it offers views of the Spanish Peaks, Greenhorn Mountain and Pikes Peak. These two named trails combine a clearly described loop with expansive mountain views.

Cuchara Mountain Park has an 18-hole disc golf course. Its trail network includes the Lower Baker Creek Trail and the Baker Creek Connector Trail. Course conditions and pass requirements may change seasonally; trail conditions can also vary with the seasons. Plan these activities with your visit dates in mind.

At Wahatoya SWA, visitors can fish, picnic, hike, walk and observe nature. Everyone age 16 and older needs a valid hunting or fishing license or an SWA pass to access the area. Regulations may change; check current access requirements before your visit. Hiking, walking and nature observation are also possible at Huerfano SWA. Wahatoya Reservoir, east of La Veta, is a cold-water fishery.

The trail descriptions also differ considerably: the School Nature Trail is a 0.25-mile interpretive loop in a three-acre park. It has a crusher-fines surface, a gentle incline and painted benches. The Wahatoya Lake Trail is a loop with a natural and gravel surface that passes through fields and forests and follows the lakeshore.

Museums and Regional History

The Museum of Friends in Walsenburg is a contemporary art museum founded by Brendt Berger and Maria Cocchiarelli in 2006. Its collection includes more than 4,000 works, including paintings, sculptures, photographs and digital media. Its programs include STEAM offerings for students in grades K–12, as well as workshops for the community and adults.

Founded in 1862 by Col. John Francisco as a trading post at the foot of the Spanish Peaks in the Colorado Territory, Francisco Fort is the state’s last surviving original adobe fort and now houses the Francisco Fort Museum. Its Huerfano County collections include artifacts from Indigenous peoples, Spanish settlers and pioneers. The Walsenburg Mining Museum focuses on the more than 100 mining camps in the county, where thousands of miners and their families lived. Exhibits include mining artifacts and dioramas; the museum also tells the story of Bob Ford, known for killing the outlaw Jesse James.

The Huerfano Heritage Center is an archive and research center with photographs, newspapers and historical county records dating from 1890 to the present. Admission is currently listed as free; check the policy before your visit. At FAROUT Murals, exterior walls become canvases where local and visiting artists tell the region’s story.

Art, Events and Seasonal Markets

The La Veta Creative District hosts events and activities year-round. Annual creative events include the La Veta Art Walks, listed for June, July, August and September. Check current event dates if you’d like to plan your trip around them. La Veta School of the Arts also offers a variety of workshops.

The Gardner Farmer and Craft Market is a seasonal outdoor market in the center of Huerfano County. Local vendors offer fresh vegetables, eggs, bread, seedlings, jewelry, crafts and live music. A May-to-October season is listed for 2026; dates and opening hours may change. The Cuchara Farmers Market offers fresh local produce, baked goods and handmade crafts from regional vendors. A summer Friday schedule is listed for 2026. At the Walsenburg Farmers Market, you’ll find fresh local produce, handmade goods and crafts from local artisans; a Sunday schedule is listed for 2026. Check dates and opening hours for all three markets before your visit.

Travel Interests as a Guide

Walsenburg and La Veta each offer their own cultural points of interest; the specific attractions and event dates can help you plan your trip around the topics that interest you.

Explore more destinations: La Veta, Walsenburg, Garfield, Gilpin County, Ouray County, Grand, Washington County, Teller County.

For the broader travel overview: Colorado.