Colfax: Nature, Mountain Lakes, and History on the Santa Fe Trail

At an elevation of 6,050 feet, Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge lies in northeastern New Mexico. Its 3,699 acres encompass shortgrass prairie, playa lakes, woodlands, wetlands, and cultivated fields. This mosaic of open landscapes and water features gives the area its distinctive character.

Landscapes and Outdoor Activities

The fishing season listed for Lake 13 in the refuge runs from March 1 through October 31. Fish species listed there include rainbow trout, channel catfish, yellow perch, and largemouth bass. The designated season is a practical guide if fishing is a focus of your trip.

Cimarron Canyon lies in western Colfax County. The Cimarron River flows through a narrow, forested gorge, and the park has hiking and horseback riding trails. Sugarite Canyon State Park also features a variety of natural landscapes: its lakes, streams, forests, and meadows provide habitat for birds and butterflies, as well as wildflowers.

Lake and mountain scenery come together at Eagle Nest Lake. Eagle Nest Lake State Park is an alpine lake park on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, surrounded by the high mountains of Moreno Valley, with views of Wheeler Peak, New Mexico’s highest point. The lake is regularly stocked with trout and salmon. Fishing is possible from shore or by boat, as well as through ice fishing in winter. Valle Vidal lies on the border between Colfax County and Colorado and is a unit of a national forest offering summer fishing and recreation opportunities.

Trails and History at Raton Pass

The Mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail crossed Raton Pass along the route of today’s Interstate 25 and railroad tracks. At the present-day border between New Mexico and Colorado, the pass was one of the most important and dangerous sections of this route. The history of the trail and the lines of today’s transportation routes meet here.

The Santa Fe Trail Walking Trail between Cimarron and Philmont offers another way to follow the Santa Fe Trail. It is approximately 4 miles one way and includes some elevation changes. That distance is for one direction; when planning your day, account separately for the outbound and return journeys.

Art also tells the story of the region. Eight murals by Manville Chapman were created in 1934 for the lobby of the Shuler Theater. They span the period from early settlements in the 1840s through the construction of the theater and into the 1920s, depicting several historical periods in a single ensemble.

Museums and Memorials

The Santa Fe Trail Museum in Springer is located in the former Colfax County Court House, built in 1881. The building is listed in the State Register of Cultural Properties and the National Register of Historic Places. The museum focuses on art exhibits and artifacts related to the Santa Fe Trail and early pioneer life. For a history-focused trip, it brings together the story of the trail and that of a historic courthouse.

In Angel Fire, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is next to the Angel Fire State Veterans Cemetery; Congress has recognized it as a memorial of national significance. The Angel Fire Visitor Center at 3407 Centro Plaza offers hiking and road maps for Angel Fire, brochures, and travel guides. Visitors can also get recommendations there for hikes, attractions, activities, and scheduled events.

Planning Your Trip to Colfax

The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway is an 84-mile loop around Wheeler Peak through Carson National Forest. In the wider region, this scenic loop connects Taos, Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Red River, and Questa; Angel Fire is in Colfax County. For cyclists planning gravel biking trips in northern New Mexico, the Colfax County Gravel Adventure Field Guide offers route recommendations, information about the terrain, and local tips. It is designed for cyclists of all experience levels.

When planning, you can choose based on your travel interests: Lake 13 has a designated fishing season, while ice fishing is also possible at Eagle Nest Lake in winter. For a history-focused trip, the route over Raton Pass, the murals in the Shuler Theater, and the collections at the Santa Fe Trail Museum offer different ways to explore the past. First decide which experiences will shape your stay; then look for a hotel in Colfax that suits your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Raton, Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Springer, Hidalgo County, Quay, Doña Ana, Taos.

Return to the main travel overview: New Mexico.