Nearby Places

When we casually say nearby places, it’s important to plan your travels carefully. Windshield time is a very tangible commodity here.  As an FYI, we love books on tape and have a library of them if you decide to do a little travelling. 

All maps and distances are beginning in San Luis.

Colorado
  • San Luis
    • Founded in 1851, San Luis is the oldest town in Colorado. It is referred to by anthropologists as “a distinct socio-cultural era of exceptional interest”. 
  • Stations of the Cross
    • It does not have a street address as it resides above the town of San Luis
    • Hours: Mon – Fri 9-3:00; Sun 8:30-4:00
    • Admission: $0
    • Comments: We’ll help you to find the entrance. Otherwise you can park below and hike up to the shrine. Photos and a Video.
  • Sangre de Cristo Heritage Center
    • 401 Church Place
    • Hours: Fri – Sat 10-4pm; Sun ​10-3pm
  • Fort Garland 
    • The Fort itself was built in 1853 to protect the settlers in the Valley. In 1866 & 1867, the Fort was commanded by Kit Carson. It was abandoned in 1883 but still stands as a reminder of times gone by and what was once the western frontier.
  • Museum and Cultural Center
    • 29477 Highway 159
    • Distance: 15.6 mi Map
    • Hours: Mar 1- Oct 31: 9 am – 5pm 7 days per week; Nov 1 – Feb 28: 10 am – 4pm Closed Sunday
    • Admission:
      Adults $5 | Youth 6 – 16 $3.50 | Children 6 & under FREE | Seniors $4.50
    • Comments: Historical lectures held there about twice each month. Information on upcoming events can be found through the link from above. These events are partially funded by the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area.
  • Great Sand Dunes
    • 11999 State Highway 150, Mosca
    • Distance: 45.5 mi Map
    • Hours:
      • Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend: 8:30-5:00 daily
      • Labor Day until Memorial Day Weekend: 9:00-4:30 daily
    • Admission: Visit this page
      • Fees are charged only when the entrance station is open; the visitor center doesn’t collect fees. Fees can be paid by check, credit card, or cash.
      • National Park Service Entrance Fee-Free Days 2019
        • January 21 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
        • April 20 – Start of National Park Week/ National Junior Ranger Day
        • August 25 – National Park Service Anniversary
        • September 28 – National Public Lands Day
        • November 11 – Veterans Day
    • Comments: There’s an orientation video that you don’t want to miss. We’d suggest that you start there
  • Sand Dunes Hot Springs Swimming Pool
    • 1991 County Road 63 , Hooper
    • Distance: 62.8 mi Map
    • Hours: Closed on Thursdays for pool draining, may want to visit the site to ensure your not planning on being there during lap swimming times.
      • March 1- Nov 30: 10 am-10 pm
      • December 1 – Feb 28: 1:00-8:00 pm
    • Admission: Adults $15 | Youth 3-12 $10 | Children 2 & under FREE | Seniors (65+) $12 Group discounts begin at 20 people
  • Wheeler Geologic Area
    • Creede, Colorado
    • Distance: 101 mi Map to the Cottonwood Cove Guest Ranch B & B at the base of the area.
    • Hours: No hours. Best time to go June-Sept.
      • One site said open all year, another said in May
    • Admission: None
    • Comments: This site has some info that will make you want to go.
      • A few pictures and geologic information can be found here.
      • This Forest Service site says: “Advice is to plan a whole day trip in order to travel into Wheeler, enjoy the formations, and then get back out.  It is not a short, easy trip. ROAD IS EXTREMELY ROUGH WITH DEEP RUTS HIGH CLEARANCE JEEP OR ATV TRAVEL IS RECOMMENDED. “

New Mexico
  • Taos
    • Distance: 63.4 mi Map
    • Comments: Taos is a frequent destination for us. It almost always includes breakfast at Michael’s Kitchen and shopping. You can park behind the square and stroll and shop, have a coffee or ice cream or lunch.
      • There’s several hotels if you’d like to spend a couple of days there. We stayed at one with a courtyard restaurant and kiva type fireplaces in every room. I’ll post it here soon.
  • Taos Pueblo
    • 120 Veterans Hwy Taos, NM 87571
    • Distance: 63.9 mi Map
    • Hours: Mon – Sat 8-4:00; Sun 8:30-4:00 Closed part of the winter
    • Admission: Adults $16 | Children 10 & under FREE | Groups of 8 or more $14 | Students $14
    • Comments: Please check out the website because it’s truly beautiful and pay particular attention to the information on photography.
      • Also note that people still live there, be sure to stay clear of areas that are marked for their privacy.
  • Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
    • El Prado, NM
    • Distance: 66.9 mi Map
    • Comments: This is the 2nd highest bridge in the US Roads system! You can drive across it and’or park and walk across on the designated pedestrian walkway. It can make you weak in the knees.
      • You’ve probably seen the bridge before in movies such as the Terminator Salvation and Wild Hogs and the classic, Easy Rider, just to name a few.
  • Santa Fe, NM
    • Distance:  133 mi Map
    • Comments: It’s where we spent our honeymoon!
      • Let us know if you want to go and if you want company. 😉 There’s so much to see there. You’ll definitely want to book a room.