Looking for a creative escape framed by mountains and rich history? Head to Trinidad, Colorado! Nestled on the southern edge of Colorado, Trinidad is a funky arts town where Victorian architecture meets dramatic mesas and pioneer trails. Whether you're gallery-hopping, hiking ancient volcanic remnants, or just soaking up mountain views, this quirky town delivers culture, nature, and Southwest charm.
Trinidad, CO Highlights:
- Historic Downtown Trinidad: Stroll red-brick streets lined with 19th-century buildings, art galleries, and boutique shops.
- Trinidad History Museum: Explore historic homes and gardens while learning about frontier and Hispanic heritage.
- Simpson’s Rest: Drive or hike to this scenic overlook for stunning views of town and the Spanish Peaks.
- Trinidad Lake State Park: Hike, fish, camp, or boat against a gorgeous mountain backdrop.
- Art Cartopia Museum: Discover wildly decorated cars in this colorful, whimsical celebration of art-on-wheels.
Best Time to Visit Trinidad, CO
The best time to visit Trinidad is from late spring to early fall (May–October) when mild temperatures allow for hiking, fishing, and festivals. Summer brings long days and lively events, while early fall offers colorful foliage and fewer crowds.
How to Get to Trinidad, CO
- If you are traveling by car: Trinidad is located on I-25 near the New Mexico border, about 3.5 hours from Denver and 2 hours from Santa Fe.
- By Train: Amtrak’s Southwest Chief stops daily in downtown Trinidad with connections from Chicago, Los Angeles, and stops in between.
- By Air: The nearest major airports are in Colorado Springs (2.5 hours) and Albuquerque (3.5 hours), with rental cars available for the drive.
Where to Stay in Trinidad, CO
- Tarabino Inn – Elegant Victorian B&B in a historic home with antiques, comfort, and breakfast in the garden.
- La Quinta Inn & Suites Trinidad – Modern amenities, pet-friendly, and close to I-25 with mountain views.
- The Landmark Suites – Boutique suites in a converted 1900s building right in the heart of downtown.
Best Things to Do in Trinidad, CO
1. Trinidad Lake State Park
★★★★★
Explore the great outdoors and take in some of the best that Trinidad’s natural beauty has to offer at the Trinidad Lake State Park. The mild climate and gorgeous large lake make water sports the ideal activity at the park. Meanwhile, avid fishers can try their hand at catching brown and rainbow trout, channel catfish, walleye, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. Visitors can enjoy all kinds of boating on the open waters, while those who prefer land based activities can explore miles and miles of winding trails that go through ancient lands with interesting local histories. Nature enthusiasts will love the beautiful scenery that the Trinidad Lake State Park provides.
32610 Colorado 12, Trinidad, Colorado 81082
2. Trinidad History Museum
Eager to explore Trinidad’s past and its significance in American West history? Head down to the Trinidad History Museum, a popular tourist attraction, which is comprised of several different sites all along a single block in the town’s historic district. Site included in the Trinidad History Museum include the Bloom Mansion, which is an outstanding example of Second Empire architecture, and the Baca House, which evokes the lifestyle of a prominent family from the 1870s. Also included is the Santa Fe Trail Museum, the Barglow Building, and the Baca-Bloom Heritage Gardens. Included in the buildings are several exhibits, the original furnishings and replicas or refurbished items from the previous owners.
312 East Main Trinidad, Trinidad, Colorado 81082, Phone: 719-846-7217
Activities and Attractions for Couples:
3. Trinidad Trolley
Whether you’re pressed for time or have a leisurely visit ahead of you in Trinidad, one of the best ways to get a crash course on Trinidad’s history and the best of its architecture is by taking a ride on the city’s trolley. There are two different kinds of tours available with the Trinidad Trolley, both of which will take you to interesting architectural spots in the city as well as historically significant attractions as well. Some stops along the trolley’s tour include the Ava Maria Shrine, the Mt. San Rafael Hospital, a mural created by Sister Augusta Zimmer of the Sisters of Charity, and the Louden-Henritze Archaeology Museum.
Trinidad Trolley, 309 Nevada Avenue, Trinidad, Colorado
4. AR Mitchell Memorial Museum of Western Art
Opened in 1981, the AR Mitchell Memorial Museum of Western Art proudly displays collectibles, artifacts, Native American art, Hispanic traditional art, religious art and more from within its humble horseshoe-shaped mezzanine. The museum is fondly referred to as the Mitch by locals, and has become an important venue in which art, culture, history and tourism collide in southeastern Colorado. The primary art work displayed in the museum is by Arthur Roy Mitchell, but visitors can also appreciate work by Oliver E. Aultman, Almerod Newman, Benjamin Wittick and more. In every piece, visitors are bound to get a feel of what life in the American West was like.
150 E. Main Street, Trinidad, Colorado 81082, Phone: 719-846-4224
5. Southern Colorado Coal Miners Memorial
Dedicated to hundreds of miners and their contribution to the growth of Colorado, the Southern Colorado Coal Miners Memorial was made by Ben Johnson. The life-size memorial was cast in bronze and has the names of active, past, retired and deceased coal miners, ensuring that their memories live on beyond their time in the coal mining industry. The monument is located in the historic district of Trinidad along West Main Street, and is a great place to make a quick stop before heading to the next attraction in your itinerary. Featuring the names of coal miners from 18 states, the memorial was commissioned by the Trinidad-Las Animas County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Coal Miners Memorial Committee.
West Main Street, Trinidad, Colorado
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
6. Steam Engine 638
Sitting behind the parking lot of a chain grocery store in Trinidad is a small but beautiful piece of railroad history, the Steam Engine 638. Only a small sign near the front of the train hints to the significance of Steam Engine 638 as the last coal-burning steam engine to be used by the Colorado and Southern Railroad. The train was built in 1906 and served as a supply train, lugging heavy goods such as coal, cattle and many other kinds of agricultural goods across the state. In 1963, the train was officially retired and now sits as a lonely but culturally rich tribute to the Wild West’s busy railroads.
Purgatoire Drive, Trinidad, Colorado
7. Simpson’s Rest
Rising above a majestic sandstone bluff to the north of Trinidad is Simpson’s Rest, an iconic landmark for the town popularized by the giant lighted sign erected on its top. Named after a restless and charming frontiersman, one of the first settlers in Trinidad, George S. Simpson, Simpson’s Rest is now a popular city park beloved by visitors and locals alike. The journey to the top of Simpson’s Rest makes a great afternoon trek as the road is narrow and features challenging terrain. Getting to the top of the bluff makes it all worth it, however, as those who persevere get to enjoy a fantastic view of the town of Trinidad with mountain vistas serving as its back drop.
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