La Veta

Tucked away in the La Cuchara Valley below the twin Spanish Peaks, the quaint art town of La Veta may be one of the last, best undiscovered spots in Colorado. The marriage of scenic beauty, rich history and a charming town center with shopping, galleries and dining make it easy to see how this area became a haven for artists over the years. Located 100 miles from downtown Colorado Springs and 180 miles from Denver, your opportunity to experience the serene beauty of La Veta is just a short drive away!

La Veta’s fantastic mix of outdoor recreation, shopping and entertainment offers excitement for everyone, no matter what your interests. The San Isabel National Forest surrounds the Cuchara Valley making this an ideal location for nature lovers. Spanning over one million acres the National Forest provides spectacular opportunities for hiking, biking and camping. You can also explore this breathtaking region on horseback, play a round of golf, or visit the many historic buildings of La Veta. If you like art; you’ll love La Veta’s arts community. Make sure to check in with The Spanish Peaks Arts Council, and the Gallery in the La Veta Town Park where talented local artist display their one-of-a-kind work.

For a unique and exciting change of pace, take a day trip from La Veta to Alamosa by train! The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad’s San Luis Express provides daily one-way and round-trip service to Alamosa, with a two-hour stopover for lunch and shopping before returning to La Veta. It’s a great way to experience the history and beauty of this majestic region.

For more information about La Veta, visit www.LaVetaCucharaChamber.com.

Spanish Peaks

The Spanish Peaks of southeastern Colorado are true marvels of nature, rising 7,000 feet over the San Isabel National Forest in the San Luis Valley. For hundreds of years, the Spanish Peaks served as important landmarks for Spanish and French settlers in the area, who used the Spanish Peaks to guide them across the plains of Colorado. Even before that, Indian tribes such as the Ute and Apache called the area surrounding the Spanish Peaks home, with great reverence for the mountains they referred to as the “Breasts of the World.” While the Spanish Peaks have known many names over the centuries, you can expect the breathtaking beauty of these twin peaks to remain a constant.

Fast forward several hundred years when the Spanish Peaks became a hotbed for mining activity, just as the idea of Manifest Destiny returned to the forefront of American culture. As the popularity of mining in Colorado rose in the late 1800s, nearly 60 mine shafts opened in the Spanish Peaks region, with steady growth until the early 1940s. While mining activity has since ceased, the areas surrounding the Spanish Peaks remain rich with history.

Now, the Spanish Peaks continue to serve as a beacon in the San Isabel National Forest, remaining one of the most bold and gorgeous features of southern Colorado. Although the Spanish Peaks are visible from over 100 miles away, the beauty of this landscape is not truly experienced until entering the San Isabel Forest. With an incredibly diverse mix of terrain as well as wildlife, the Spanish Peaks are not to be missed during your next visit to the region. Black bears, elk and mountain lions are among the many animals native to the San Isabel Forest and Spanish Peaks regions, surrounded by dense groupings of Aspen, Ponderosa Pine and Firs.

This season, hop on the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad as it travels through the heart of the San Isabel National Forest and the Spanish Peaks region. Departing from La Veta, Colorado, only two and a half hours from downtown Denver, the Rio Grande allows passengers to experience the majesty of the Spanish Peaks firsthand. While the entire trip on the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad will surely leave great memories, the Spanish Peaks provide a sight that you’ll truly never forget.

To make your reservations to see the Spanish Peaks on the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad, visit our online booking system by clicking here. For additional information or questions on topics like the Spanish Peaks or our station in La Veta, Colorado, please give us a call at 1-877-726-RAIL.