Activities in the La Veta Area
Follow miles of trails through tall evergreens and quaking aspens in national and state forests. Stand on rock outcroppings and see the horizon for a hundred miles. Sit under a tree and listen...to the songs of the birds, the wind, the trees...the song of the mountains. The Cuchara Valley, what a great place to relax.
The Cuchara Valley has something for almost everyone. For history buffs, a visit to Francisco Fort Museum in La Veta is a must. La Veta is also home to many working artists, whose work can be seen at the Gallery in the La Veta Town Park, as well as local businesses.
The Echo Canyon Guest Ranch is a great way to experience life on an actual working cattle ranch complete with trail riding, rodeos, and an all-day cattle drive. Be forewarned: the lifestyle is addictive; you may not want to go home.
With San Isabel National Forest surrounding Cuchara, there are a lot of opportunities for camping, hiking, mountain biking, hunting, cross country skiing, fishing or just sitting under a tree. Public access for fishing can be found at Bear and Blue Lakes at the Cuchara Recreation Area south of La Veta, and trail information can be obtained from the San Isabel National Forests office in La Veta. Horseback riding, golf and other activities are available through private vendors. The Valley is also home to a variety of wildlife. In addition to deer and elk, there are big horn sheep, black bear, mountain lion, fox, bobcat, coyote and beaver.
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Day Trips
Several Colorado attractions are easily reached from the Cucharas Valley within a few hours. Some suggestions include:
Scenic Highway of Legends
This route, Highway 12, was designated as one of Colorado's scenic and historical byways in 1987. It was named a National Forest Byway in 1988. The 80 mile route passes through wonderfully beautiful scenery on its course. It can be driven in about two hours. It winds through Walsenburg, La Veta, Cuchara, Monument Lake, Stonewall, Vigil, Weston, Segundo, Cokesdale and Trinidad crossing the Cuchara Pass at 9,994 feet above sea level part way along the byway. A welcome center is located in Trinidad with more information about the route. Click here for a map of the Highway Of Legends.
Great Sand Dunes National Monument
About 60 miles from the Valley, it offers the chance to spend a day at the beach in the mountains.
Taos, New Mexico
An old Spanish town, Taos is well known as an art colony. Also visit the Taos Indian Pueblo.
Lake Isabel
Lake Isabel is a beautiful lake in the San Isabel National Forest near Greenhorn Mountain. It's a great place to fish and picnic.
Royal Gorge
Just outside of Canyon City, the Royal Gorge is crossed by the world's highest suspension bridge. Pueblo. This growing city has great museums, theaters and shopping. Pueblo Reservoir is on the western edge.
Colorado Springs
From the Garden of the Gods to Pikes Peak, this area has lots to see and do. Also, Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs are full of charm. Cripple Creek. Once a gold mining town, it now is one of Colorado's few town where gambling is legal. Bent's Fort. The for reenacts daily life of 170 years ago when a busy stop on the Santa Fe Trail.
For information on current La Veta and Cuchara listings, contact Ed Kirkland at 719-679-1309 or ed@firewallranch.com.
The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad
The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad operates The San Luis Express between Alamosa and La Veta. It was carved out of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains over 100 years ago. The last regular passenger train was discontinued in 1953, and few travelers since have been privileged to see the highest standard gauge crossing of the Front Range in regular operation. There are daily departures from Alamosa to La Veta, through the Forbes/Trinchera Park, around Horseshoe Curve, along the edge of the San Isabel National Forest, through two tunnels and into the historic 1870's town of La Veta, where the train pauses for lunch and shopping.
This Seasons Schedule:
The "Throw Mama On The Train" event, is a three hour ride in a new dome car where passengers will experience a brunch buffet and champagne for $59 per person.
There will be a "Jazz On The Tracks" series on June 14th and 15th and again on July 26th and 27th.
A special "Firecracker Express And All American BBQ" will take place on Friday, July 4th.
For Fathers Day the train will be promoting a "Jazz With Your Pop" for June 15th. All concerts will take place at the top of La Veta Pass and are only accessable by train.
A "Rails & Ales Brewfest" is scheduled for July 12 with a brewery tasting at a prestine mountain location.
The "High Altitude Concert Summer Series" begins July 17th and runs through August 23. Music legend Michael Martin Murphy will perform a mountian concert only accessable by train. On August 22nd and 23rd a concert will be performed by the Liverpool Legends, the ultimate Beatles tribute.
 | Colorado High Altitude Concert SeriesThe Rio Grande Scenic Railroad and Michael Martin Murphey will once again host its popular concert series from July 17 to August 23. For tickets or more information, go to the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad website or Michael Martin Murphey's concert schedule. |
Special events will continue into the fall and winter months with fall foliage trips in September, a Punkin Patch ride in October and the return of the North Pole Express in December.
For more Information Click Here.
Echo Canyon Guest Ranch - For A Real Western Adventure
Echo Canyon Guest Ranch is located at the base of the west Spanish Peak 5 miles south of La Veta Colorado on Hwy. 12 the Scenic Highway of Legends, 170 miles south of Denver, 120 miles from Colorado Springs and 70 miles from Pueblo. Echo Canyon is at an elevation of 8,600 feet. The ranch has over 1,500 acres of private land and 50,000 acres of permitted National Forest.
Echo Canyon has the unique distinction of being the only guest ranch in the U.S. that has been designated as a “National Natural Landmark” by the U.S. Department of Interior. This speaks to the splendor of the Ranch and its surrounding wilderness. The photographic opportunities are unlimited. Besides scenery, wildlife is abundant, including elk, deer, bear, turkeys and numerous small mammals and birds.
The ranch owns and trains every one of its horses and takes great pride in their disposition and athletic ability. You’ll enjoy a horse of your own during your stay, and a very diversified riding program. A professional orientation for the novice greenhorn to the most advanced rider is provided.
The ranch has an excellent horseback riding program, Guests are assigned their own horse for the duration of their stay. Other onsite activities include cattle drives, roping lessons, pack trips, fishing in the ranch’s four ponds, trap shooting, archery, gold panning, cook outs and nature hikes. Other offsite fun activities include river rafting and day tours to Pikes Peak or Royal Gorge. Four miles from the ranch’s gate you can play on the #1 rated, 18-hole public golf course in Colorado designed by Tom Weiskoff.
Dramatic views, two streams and the Cuchara River add to the beauty of this wonderful secluded ranch. The ranch is state-of-the-art with a reading room, fitness area, as well as guest rooms with private baths and handmade aspen pole furnishings. Choose a lodge room or secluded four-bedroom cabin. You will enjoy delicious food prepared by the ranch chef, then after dinner, you can relax in the Cantina, or enjoy nightly entertainment.
Francisco Fort Museum
Francisco Fort was built in 1862 by Col. John M. Francisco and Judge Henry Daigre on land purchased from the Vigil-St. Vrain Land Grant. It was the first settlement in the Upper Cuchara Valley. The two men, joined by Hiram Vasquez in 1863, supervised their vast farming and ranching operations from here.
Francisco Fort was an adobe structure with walls one foot thick, built in a square around an open plaza with the only opening to the north, and served as protection from Indian threat. As more settlers moved into the area, the Plaza increased in importance as the commercial center of the area. The first post office, named Spanish Peaks, opened here in 1871.
In 1876, the Denver and Rio Grand Railroad entered the town and the Plaza was opened up to allow the tracks to enter. The depot was located in the southwest wing of the Fort. During this same period the Post Office name was changed from Spanish Peaks to “La Veta”. A permanent depot was built two blocks north in 1877 and the business section moved also, replacing the Plaza as the community hub.
The Fort was used for businesses, apartments and a private residence up until 1957 when it was purchased by the Town of La Veta and leased to the Huerfano County Historical Society for use as a Museum. In 1958 three historic buildings were moved onto the museum grounds. The Ritter School House, built in 1876, the Saloon, built in the 1880’s and a Log structure used as a blacksmith shop.
The Francisco Fort Museum, on the National Register of Historic Buildings, houses many fine artifacts from the 1700's through 1945 thanks to the generosity of county residents. These artifacts include a working Columbian Organette, a 1908 Edison cylinder player, a Chinese shawl traded to Charles Bent on the Santa Fe Trail, Pony Express mail bags, a letter written by Lincoln, a Lightning Horse baler, Penitente collection, and over 1000 projectile points. Trained docents also tell of Indian, pioneer, railroad, and mining history relative to the displays in six buildings.
Season Begins: The last weekend in May and runs through the first Saturday in October.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 10:00am to 5:00pm, Sunday: 11:00am to 5:00pm, Closed Mondays
GROUP TOURS: Special tours are available by appointment, please call 742-5501.
Location:
306 South Main Street
P.O. Box 977
LaVeta, CO. 81055
Phone: 719-742-5501
Grandote Peaks Golf Course
Located in Southern Colorado in La Veta in the spectacular Cuchara Valley, at the foot of the majestic Spanish Peaks. Grandote Peaks (elevation: 7100') is a links-type course, in "Top" condition, challenging for both the average golfer and the "Scratch" player. 
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Grandote Peaks is "Spikeless". Various brands of replacement spikes are available at the course with installation. Tee reservations are available for anytime during the season which extends to October 18th. A credit card guarantee is required to book tee times w/cancellation available up to 24 hours before tee time. Dress Code - No tank tops or cut-off jeans. SHIRT REQUIRED. Instruction - Private, group instruction, playing lessons and clinics may be booked with Dawne Kortgaard LPGA Class A Head Pro. Private instruction $50.00 for 45 minutes. |
Toll-free: (800) 457-9986
Phone: (719) 742-3391