Lincoln County: Railroad History and Prairie

Lincoln County combines a landscape shaped by rolling prairie, several river valleys, and numerous sand hills with historic buildings and nature experiences. Its varied attractions range from a restored railroad depot and a one-room schoolhouse to wetlands, birdwatching, and bison activities. When planning a hotel stay, it’s worth deciding in advance what you want to focus on: would you like to prioritize architectural history, nature watching, or recreational activities? The following places, seasonal offerings, and highway landmarks can help you match those interests to your travel plans.

Roads and Getting Around

Interstate 70 crosses the northern part of Lincoln County and intersects US 24 and State Highway 71 in Limon. East of Limon, I-70 intersects US 40/287, which passes through Hugo. At Arriba’s only interstate exit, there is a rest area on I-70 for travelers. These intersections and the rest area can help you plan your route. Choose a hotel based on the places you’d like to visit.

Railroad History and Historic Buildings

The Limon Heritage Museum includes a restored 1910 railroad depot and an 1894 one-room schoolhouse. In Hugo, the Hugo Union Pacific Railroad Roundhouse was built in 1909; it is the only surviving brick roundhouse in Colorado. The schoolhouse complements the two railroad buildings with a different type of structure, offering another historical perspective. The Colorado and Kansas Railroad offers a broader view of the period: in 1888, it began construction across Colorado’s central plains. At the time, Genoa was not yet on the map.

Nature and Seasonal Experiences

At the Limon Wetlands, a paved path runs for more than half a mile to an information kiosk and an observation pavilion. In summer, the Limon Wetlands are home to Soras, Virginia Rails, Belted Kingfishers, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Great-tailed Grackles, and Green-winged Teals. Karval Reservoir State Wildlife Area offers stocked trout fishing in spring. These two nature offerings differ by season: fishing is available in spring, while the wetlands species list describes summer. After dark, Lincoln County’s dark night skies offer opportunities to observe constellations, the Milky Way, and shooting stars.

Golf and Bison Activities

Tamarack Golf Club is a public nine-hole golf course. Prairie Ridge Buffalo Ranch offers bison activities, including ranch tours, campfires, and buffalo burgers. The offerings differ in format: a golf option at one, a range of ranch activities at the other, from tours to dining. You can include these options in your travel plans to suit your interests.

Visiting Hours at the Limon Heritage Museum

The Limon Heritage Museum’s seasonal opening hours for 2026 are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; the museum is closed on Wednesdays. Check the opening hours before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Limon, Delta, Chaffee, Larimer, Pitkin, Montezuma County, El Paso, Elbert County

For the main travel overview: Colorado.