At Raton Pass, the history of the Santa Fe Trail meets a landscape shaped today by road and rail. The Mountain Branch of the trail crosses Raton Pass alongside present-day Interstate 25 and the railroad tracks. At the present-day border between New Mexico and Colorado, the pass was one of the most important and most dangerous sections of this route. A trail between Cimarron and Philmont also follows in the footsteps of the Santa Fe Trail: the Santa Fe Trail Walking Trail follows its route, includes some elevation changes, and is about four miles long each way. In other words, the stated distance is one way.

In Raton, the story continues in the lobby of the Shuler Theater. Eight WPA murals from 1934, created by Manville Chapman, are permanently displayed there. Their subject matter ranges from early settlements in the 1840s to the theater’s construction and the 1920s. Together, they depict the history of Raton and the surrounding region across several decades.

Prairie, Canyon, and Mountain Lake

The Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge lies in northeastern New Mexico at an elevation of 6,050 feet and covers 3,699 acres. Its landscape includes shortgrass prairie, playa lakes, woodlands, wetlands, and cultivated land. These habitats exist side by side, giving the refuge its varied character.

Fishing is allowed at Lake 13 from March 1 through October 31. Rainbow trout, channel catfish, yellow perch, and largemouth bass are the fish species listed for this period. This clearly defined season offers practical guidance for anyone planning to fish during their visit.

In Cimarron Canyon State Park, the Cimarron River flows through a narrow, forested canyon. Hiking and horseback-riding trails offer two different ways to get outdoors amid the scenery. Sugarite Canyon State Park offers a different natural setting, with lakes, streams, forests, and meadows. Its diverse flora and fauna include birds, butterflies, and wildflowers.

Valle Vidal lies on the border between Colfax County and Colorado and is a unit of the national forest. Fishing and recreational opportunities are described there for the summer. Alongside the region’s canyons and wetlands, visitors can also enjoy activities in a high-elevation forest landscape.

Lakes and Mountain Ranges Around the Enchanted Circle

Eagle Nest Lake State Park is an alpine lake park along the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway. The high mountains of the Moreno Valley surround the lake, and the view also takes in Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico. The Enchanted Circle is an 84-mile loop around Wheeler Peak through Carson National Forest, connecting Taos, Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Red River, and Questa. Angel Fire is in Colfax County, making it one of the towns connected by this loop.

Fishing opportunities at Eagle Nest Lake also vary by season and access: fishing is possible from the shore and by boat, and ice fishing is also available in winter. The lake is regularly stocked with trout and salmon. This offers another way to experience the region’s waters, distinct from the seasonal fishing period at Lake 13.

Museums and Memorials

In Springer, the Santa Fe Trail Museum is housed in the former Colfax County Courthouse, built in 1881. The building is listed in the State Register of Cultural Properties and the National Register of Historic Places. The museum features art exhibits and artifacts related to the Santa Fe Trail and early pioneer life. It thus connects the history of the trail with the history of the building that houses the museum.

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. For help getting oriented, the Angel Fire Visitor Center at 3407 Centro Plaza offers hiking maps, Angel Fire road maps, brochures, and travel guides. Visitors can also get recommendations there for hikes, destinations, activities, and scheduled events.

Discover more destinations: Raton, Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Springer, Torrance County, Luna, Santa Fe, San Juan.

For the main travel overview: New Mexico.