Huerfano County is considered a broken, tilted and eroded plateau that connects the mountains with the high plains. The Highway of Legends passes through a landscape stretching from the heights of the Sangre de Cristos and the Spanish Peaks to the red cliffs of the Dakota Wall and the Devil’s Stairsteps. A 35-mile extension of the Highway of Legends follows Huerfano/Las Animas County Road No. 46 through the San Isabel National Forest. Winter conditions can affect parts of the route; check conditions before you drive.
Trails with a variety of views
At Lathrop State Park, the two main trails, Hogback Trail and Cuerno Verde Trail, offer exceptional views of the Spanish Peaks, Greenhorn Mountain and Pikes Peak. The Cuerno Verde Trail is a 3-mile loop around Martin Lake and is popular with cyclists. The Hogback Trail passes through sandstone formations and over a rocky hogback ridge.
Other trails offer their own perspectives. Wahatoya Trail #1304 crosses the saddle between West Spanish Peak and East Spanish Peak and offers views of the northern plains, Wet Mountains and Greenhorn Mountains. From West Peak Trail #1390, views extend to Cuchara Valley, Greenhorn Mountain, Wet Mountain Valley and the Culebra Range. West Spanish Peak is known for dikes radiating outward from the mountain.
Trail surfaces and landscapes also vary. Wahatoya Lake Trail is a loop with natural and gravel surfaces; it passes through fields and forests and along the lakeshore. School Nature Trail is a 0.25-mile interpretive loop in a 3-acre park. Its surface is stone dust, and a gentle climb leads to painted benches. Apishapa Trail #1324 offers views of the Dike Walls.
Experience nature and plan excursions
Wahatoya Reservoir, east of La Veta, is a cold-water fishing destination. Fishing, picnicking, hiking, walking and wildlife observation are possible at Wahatoya SWA. Everyone age 16 or older needs a valid hunting or fishing license or an SWA pass to access the area. As regulations can change, check current access requirements before your visit. Hiking, walking and wildlife observation are among the activities available at Huerfano SWA.
Cuchara Mountain Park has an 18-hole disc golf course; its trail network includes Lower Baker Creek Trail and Baker Creek Connector Trail. Course and trail conditions can change seasonally, as can pass requirements for the disc golf course. Check current conditions before your visit. Mission:Wolf is a sanctuary for captive wolves and wolf-dog hybrids in the mountains of Huerfano County.
Art and history in museums and outdoors
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: 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.
Francisco Fort was established in 1862 by Col. John Francisco as a trading post at the foot of the Spanish Peaks in the Colorado Territory. It is the last surviving original adobe fort in the state and now houses the Francisco Fort Museum. Its Huerfano County collections include artifacts from Indigenous peoples, Spanish settlers and pioneers.
The exhibits at Walsenburg Mining Museum recall more than 100 mining camps in Huerfano County, where thousands of miners and their families lived. On display are artifacts from the mining industry and dioramas depicting mining life. The museum also tells the story of Bob Ford in Walsenburg, known as the murderer of the outlaw Jesse James. FAROUT Murals turn exterior walls into canvases where local and visiting artists tell the region’s story.
Huerfano Heritage Center is an archive and research center with photographs, newspapers and historic county records dating from 1890 to the present. Admission is free; check the admission policy before your visit.
Events and markets
La Veta Creative District hosts events and activities year-round. Creative annual events include the La Veta Art Walks, held in June, July, August and September; check the dates in advance. La Veta School of the Arts offers workshops.
Gardner Farmer and Craft Market is a seasonal outdoor market in the heart of Huerfano County. Its 2026 season is scheduled to run from May to October. Local vendors bring fresh vegetables, eggs, bread and seedlings, as well as jewelry, crafts and live music. Check dates and opening hours, as they may change. Walsenburg Farmers Market offers fresh local produce, as well as handmade goods and crafts by local artisans. The 2026 market is scheduled for Sundays; dates and opening hours may change here, too.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: La Veta, Walsenburg, Gilpin County, Yuma County, Douglas, Sedgwick County, Rio Blanco County, Lincoln County.
For the main travel overview: Colorado.
