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Overland route129 midifficulty: easy

Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway

RegionColoradoAgencyU.S. Forest Service, Colorado Department of TransportationLast verified—
Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway — overland route near Alamosa, Colorado, Colorado
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Trail vitals6 facts
Length
129mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Loop
Vehicle
Any street-legal vehicle. Paved its full length.
Best months
Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Cell coverage
Generally good; spotty in the canyon stretches.
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Los Caminos Antiguos is a 129-mile paved scenic byway in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado, looping through Alamosa, Antonito, San Luis, and the Great Sand Dunes National Park area. The route highlights the Hispano cultural corridor of the upper Rio Grande, including the oldest town in Colorado (San Luis, founded 1851) and the historic plaza church at San Acacio. Rio Grande National Forest covers the surrounding higher elevations.

The road is paved its full length and plowed year-round. Most drivers run the loop in four to six hours, longer with stops at the Great Sand Dunes, the Stations of the Cross shrine in San Luis, or the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad in Antonito. There are no technical obstacles; the interest is the cultural and historical depth of the corridor.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Crosswinds. The San Luis Valley has consistent strong wind. High-profile vehicles should be alert.
  • Wildlife. Pronghorn cross the road on the open valley floor.
  • Limited services. Smaller communities have limited fuel and groceries.
  • Altitude. The valley sits at 7,500-8,000 feet. Watch for altitude effects.
  • Cumbres summer crowds. The railroad fills lodging in Antonito and Chama on operation days.

Location

129 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 37.479, -105.870

Current conditions

Live weather

Trail facts

4 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service, Colorado Department of Transportation
Nearest townAlamosa, Colorado
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r02/riogrande
Approx. location37.479, -105.870

Getting there

Directions

From Alamosa (loop start). From Alamosa on US-160, take CO-17 south to begin the loop counter-clockwise.

Loop direction. Either direction works. Counter-clockwise (CO-17 south first) puts the Cumbres railroad and San Luis on the back half; clockwise (US-160 east first) puts the Great Sand Dunes near the start.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The byway loops through the San Luis Valley, the high broad valley between the San Juan Mountains and the Sangre de Cristo Range in southern Colorado. Alamosa is the central hub; Antonito sits on the southern leg near the New Mexico line; San Luis sits on the eastern leg below the Sangre de Cristos. Rio Grande National Forest covers the surrounding mountain country.

Trail Overview

One hundred twenty-nine miles, loop, paved. The byway runs CO-17 south from Alamosa to Antonito, US-285 / NM-17 to the Cumbres railroad area, CO-142 east to San Luis, CO-159 / Sangre de Cristo Highway north to Fort Garland, and US-160 west back to Alamosa. There are no off-road sections.

Points of Interest

  • Great Sand Dunes National Park. The tallest sand dunes in North America, with Medano Creek (a seasonal stream that emerges and disappears) at the dunes' base.
  • San Luis. Oldest continuously inhabited town in Colorado, founded 1851. Stations of the Cross shrine on a hill above town with bronze sculptures.
  • Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. Narrow-gauge tourist railroad operating between Antonito and Chama, NM.
  • Fort Garland Museum. Historic 1858 fort, the only intact pre-1880 military post in Colorado.
  • San Acacio plaza church. 1850s adobe church on the eastern leg of the byway.
  • Ute Mountain. Volcanic plug visible from the southern leg.

Where to Camp

Great Sand Dunes National Park has a campground (Pinyon Flats) and primitive backcountry camping in the dune field. Rio Grande National Forest manages campgrounds in the surrounding higher elevations (Mosca, Stunner, Conejos River). Dispersed camping is allowed on FS land off side roads with the standard 16-day stay limit. Alamosa and San Luis have private campgrounds.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Plan multiple days. The Great Sand Dunes alone deserves a full day.
  • Medano Creek at the dunes' base flows from late April to early June in most years. Time the visit to catch the creek if possible.
  • The Cumbres & Toltec Railroad runs from Memorial Day weekend to mid-October. Reservations required.
  • Top off in Alamosa, Antonito, or San Luis. Smaller communities have limited services.
  • The southern leg crosses into northern New Mexico briefly via NM-17.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway?
Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway is rated easy. The route runs 129 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway?
Any street-legal vehicle. Paved its full length.
When is the best time to visit Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway?
The best months are Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov.
Is there cell service at Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway?
Generally good; spotty in the canyon stretches.