Large rest stop that was fairly clean. I wish people would behave however instead of throwing…read moretheir trash on the grass. There were plenty of trash receptacles so there was no excuse to litter. Bathrooms were good and I did see an employee cleaning the grounds and restrooms. Parking lot for trucks and cars.

Well placed and maintained we were happy to have a place for a break. We arrived after dark so the…read moregreat lighting was appreciated. There was ample auto parking at 10:00 pm. Often this is not the case. The semi truck area was full. There were trash bins available and the grass was mowed! Husband said men's room was immaculate and smelled like it had been recently cleaned. That said I'm going to agree with the ladies who gave the women's restroom a big thumbs down ! It was filthy dirty and obviously looked like some gross idiot traveler had a mental health issue and smeared two of the stalls with nasty. The bins were overflowing. So not someplace I'd recommend for ladies needing freshening. Otherwise it was great. Thank you

It's always interesting to make a quick stop to stretch and see something interesting and new on…read moreroad trips. The scenery on both sides of the interstate is interesting and beautiful. So if you're tired of driving and feel like stretching stop and see the lonely Butte and the ominously large mountains on the other side.

I'm all about the historical markers and this one was odd. It is way out in the middle of nowhere…read moreon a road I drove between Colorado Springs CO and Taos NM. Surprising I spotted it, but the sun hit it just right and so the marker reads: The oldest continuously used ditch in Colorado, with court decree priority No 1, and dating from April 10 1852. Dug by the pioneer settlers of Colorado. Colorado's greatness is built upon irrigation. Erected by the State Historical Society of Colorado, the Heirs of the Pioneers and the Irrigation Centennial Commission. April 10, 1952. The website gives a bit more info: Discover "acequias" (gravity-fed irrigation systems) in one of the oldest communities in Colorado. Serving the village of San Luis de la Culebra before Colorado was a Territory, the People's Ditch was initially a shallow hand-dug irrigation channel. Later, oxen pulling a plow widened and extended the ditch. Operating under Water District 24 of Division 3, the People's Ditch holds the first adjudicated water rights in Colorado. The People's Ditch serves 16 "parcientes" (affiliated water users) and irrigates approximately 2100 acres of hay & other row crops. A majority of parcientes are descendants of the original founders of the acequia.

It's pretty and functional! This the view from down the road... The mountains in the distance are…read morebeautiful. I recommend seeing the sun rise over them from the mesa.

In the traditional sense. But definitely historic as in something that you should see. It's about…read morean hour south of denver. And well worth the drive. If you go in Winter make sure you have snow tires or chains. Be smart about this. This is colorado. Was much more advanced and creative than I had been told. I would go back again to see what kind of advancement has been made. Appears to be pretty much structurally sound. Although if you weigh over 130 lb I would be cautious in going on the scaffolding. What's that being said the majority of the structure is very stable and very secure. While you were there, please be respectful. Respectful of others. Respectful of the property and respectful of the effort that has gone into this work of art. This is one man's dream that has come to fruition. There is a donation box. It is advisable I would leave a donation. I left $20 which I thought was more than worth it to see this marvel.

Bishop's castle is one of the coolest things in Colorado. It is a drive in the middle of nowhere…read more Constructed by a man who just wanted a castle. All hand made. Very scarey when you get up to higher points but you just have to trust his engineering. He has since passed away he was the coolest guy ever. He didnt build this place for profit it isnt a place of business. The only way they keep this place going is donation based. Can be dangerous at parts so be careful.

If you're coming up north on 25 make sure to pull over to see the welcome sign in Colorado. It's a…read moregreat way to start the trip in a awesome photo spot.

If you're heading north on Interstate 25 coming from New Mexico, you'll notice this Welcome to…read moreColorful Colorado Sign of Raton Pass off to the right hand side of the highway. There'll be a small pullover area to park where you can safely exit your car and grab a photo with the sign. For any person looking to say they've "arrived" in Colorado, it's a playful picture moment, lol. Also, for stopping by around 10am the sun was in perfect positioning in the sky for photos. It'll be at your back and the Colorful Colorado Sign will stand out exceptionally. So...therefore, if you show up in afternoon time, it'll be a poor time to visit as you'll obviously be facing the sun, lol. If anyone out there is actually really reading this...make sure to be driving in the morning. Hahaha And when getting your pictures in, you may notice the Huerfano Butte situated in the backdrop making for a scenic setting, especially in summertime. It's actually a pretty photogenic moment. Lastly, when finishing up driving 13 miles north into the town of Trinidad, Colorado, don't forget to visit Simpson's Rest, a fantastic overlook viewpoint from high above the downtown suburbs of Trinidad. It's a terrific introduction into your Colorado explorations and wherever your next destination may be. Overall, I give two thumbs up for this Welcome to Colorful Colorado Sign of Raton Pass.

On your way to Bent's Fort up the road, I hope you take an hour or so to visit this fine museum in…read moreFowler. Or it's just a great day trip destination. What caught our eye was the weathered 1800s cabin, jail cages and wagon next to the museum. We thought..."this could be interesting"-and it was! Monty McCanless, who is a tireless worker and member of the Historical Society, gave us a personal tour. First, the 1800s kitchen complete with wood burning stove, side board, table, utensils and pantry staples. There is much in this museum that relates to early pioneering women: their dress, quilting, and a club -The International Federation of Women's Club (that my mom belonged to several states west) scrapbooks and memorabilia. Fowler blossomed with introduction of a canal and sophisticated irrigation systems in the 1800s. You see pictures of the irrigation pipes as well as the pipes and maps. Many trades, occupations are chronicled. There are doctor and optometrist tools, branding irons and brands, saddles of popular locals, inside of a post office, old electric gas station signs, sharks tooth and arrowhead collections and a few Native American artifacts. This hardly scratches the surface of what's there...well displayed BTW.

Las Animas nearly died due to Covid, the sad fact that history gets lost when little towns suffer…read morefinancially. Somehow this museum survived. Make sure you set aside a couple of hours when you come to visit. The history of Las Animas and the characters that made the town are well documented here. The tour guide at the museum is a wealth of knowledge, and the presentation is simply spell binding. If you have noticed the museum and wondered, make a point to go. Enjoy and learn of Las Animas' unique yet important place in the history of Colirado. If you think you will be boared, you are soo wrong, this place is well done and fascinating.

Simpson's Rest is a terrific vista point lookout showcasing downtown Trinidad, Colorado from high…read moreabove. If you're driving Interstate 25 through Trinidad and if you keep your eyes peeled on the surroundings, you'll discover the sign T-R-I-N-I-D-A-D in giant white letters perched above a rock bluff formation. It's sort of similar in style to the iconic Hollywood Sign out in Los Angeles, California but obviously on a much smaller scale. I immediately took notice of Simpson's Rest and used Google Maps to navigate my way just 10 minutes up a dirt road to reach the summit. I was pretty surprised by how accessible it was without having to hike or work hard to reach it. For around 11am in the middle of June, I had the entire overlook to myself. And I was highly impressed with the views which seemed to span for miles and miles. Simpson's Rest might have been one of my favorite observation points in 2024 with it being so under the radar and such a pleasant surprise. Basically, you have undisturbed 180-degree panoramas standing one hundred feet on top of a rock butte. On the day I visited, the winds were nonexistent, and it felt like the landscape backdrop around Trinidad was similar to an untouched canvas painting. My one and only disappointment were the graffiti stains engraved onto a bunch of the rocks next to the Trinidad Sign. Vandalism like that makes no sense to me. Off to the righthand side of the Trinidad Sign is the "burial place of explorer and trader George S. Simpson" according to Wikipedia. Otherwise, it's just you and the endlessly dramatic sceneries. You can certainly bring lunch with you and have a quiet picnic from the best seat atop Trinidad. In total, the experience can take 15 - 20 minutes for newcomers or for those who are appreciating the sights, 40 - 45 minutes. Simpson's Rest is a great reward for a hidden town like Trinidad, Colorado that probably most people have never heard of.

Lovers Leap in Trinidad. I left wishing I'd brought a can of spray paint and a bottle of strawberry…read morewine to break on the rocks Who is this Simpson guy? Wikipedia

Located in Fremont County, Colorado, Florence is known for it antique stores. There is a hot spring…read moreto enjoy and lots of scenic drives. It's more of a retirement town and the Arkansas River runs through it. It's the 'antique capital of Colorado' and it really has tons of antique shops. Filled with real antiques or peoples' unwanted stuff or artwork, it's fun to wander in and out of shops. You can find anything and everything. The hard to shop for person - you can surely find something here. Historical items and military gear. Railroad memorabilia, plane propellers, local artists' works and the historic buildings are among the items to see. Cruise down Main Street and check it all out. The people are friendly and chatty. Adorable town. Prisons nearby so be careful of hitchhikers :)