La Junta is a welcoming small town in Otero County on Colorado’s southeastern plains about 66 miles (106 km) east of Pueblo, Colorado. If you’re craving a break from busy cities, La Junta’s friendly vibe, historic sites, and plains environment make it an excellent place for a quick stopover. Whether you’re here for the local history, outdoor activities in the nearby Comanche National Grassland, or some down-to-earth local culture, you’ll find that this corner of Colorado offers a warm welcome and a pace that invites you to slow down and look a little closer.
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About La Junta, Colorado
“La Junta” is Spanish for “meeting place” or “junction,” and is pronounced “la hoon-tah.” The name derives from the junction of the Santa Fe Trail and an early trail that branched off and headed west to Fort Pueblo (present-day Pueblo, Colorado).
The Founding of La Junta
The Santa Fe Trail (Mountain Branch) passed through land that is now modern-day La Junta starting in 1822. Initially, this commercial route thrived with wagon traffic. But starting around 1848, railroads began to develop, and they gradually took over the transport of goods along the trail. This transition was complete by 1880.
La Junta began in 1875 as a railroad camp for the expanding Santa Fe Railroad. Instead of being abandoned as was common when rail line construction moved forward, the railroad established a depot and a significant rail yard here. Santa Fe railroad track crews, building westward from the railroad camp, reached Pueblo in March 1876.
By 1879, the site had become a strategically important center for the railroad’s Colorado Division. “The City of La Junta” was incorporated on May 15, 1881. Shortly after, settlers began arriving to farm and ranch.
Modern Day La Junta
La Junta’s roots as an agricultural and railroad hub are evident today:
- The town is a stop on Amtrak’s daily Southwest Chief route. The Junta is close to the halfway point on this 2,265-mile (3,645 km) passenger train route from Chicago to Los Angeles. Additionally, several BNSF Railway lines carrying agricultural and mixed freight pass through La Junta.
- Northern Otero County and La Junta are still associated with bountiful farms, supported by the Arkansas River. The produce grown includes fresh vegetables, watermelons, corn, and the famous Rocky Ford cantaloupes.
- La Junta also ranks among the top livestock markets in the nation for feeder cattle and calves. Cattle auctions happen regularly, year-round.
Things to Do in La Junta, Colorado
With a population of around 7,100, La Junta is a small but well-equipped town. It offers everything you need for a comfortable and convenient weekend getaway or stopover. You’ll have your choice of accommodations, dining options, grocery stores, and gas stations. Additionally, La Junta and its surrounding area offer numerous attractions to satisfy the curious traveler.
See La Junta’s Historic Steam Locomotive
AT&SF Locomotive 1024, built in 1901, is on display at Train Hill Park (at Highway 50 and Barnes Avenue, or 901 W 3rd St.) on the northeast side of town. It’s situated to overlook the main east-west rail line that once carried it across the plains. This historic “Prairie” style steam locomotive was initially powered by coal and later by oil. Locomotive 1024 has a large, long boiler and a large grate in its firebox. This setup ensured sufficient steam while operating on 3% grades between Raton, New Mexico, and Trinidad, Colorado. Locomotive 1024 was donated to the City of La Junta by the Santa Fe Railroad in 1956. Interpretive signs at the park provide historic information.
Walk Around Downtown La Junta
The heart of downtown La Junta is small enough to see the main sights in a quick circuit, around 30 minutes. Downtown features historic buildings, small parks, public art, and murals. I’ll highlight just a few here.
Santa Fe Plaza (1st St. and Santa Fe Ave.) is a good place to start. This small park features brick-paved walkways that wind around native plantings and a central flower bed. Look for a vintage train car and railroad signals.
Across the street, look for the La Junta Amtrak Station (1 W 1st St.). This utilitarian building was erected in 1955 to replace a 3-story structure from 1895.
Notable Buildings in La Junta
Here are just a few historic buildings to see in downtown La Junta.
The Fox Theatre (11 E 3rd St) has been showing movies for over 100 years! It was opened in 1912 as the Rourke Theatre and still retains some of the original Moorish elements.
One of the first modern buildings constructed in La Junta, the Central Block Building (116 Colorado Ave.) is a two-story sandstone and red brick structure completed in 1890.
The Masonic Temple building (1924, 17 W. 4th St.) is a three-story, red-brick building. It features a contrasting yellow brick frieze in a diamond pattern. The main façade features an inset on the upper floors with four Ionic columns topped with a triangular pediment.
La Junta’s 1915 Post Office Building (324 Colorado Ave.) has elements of Spanish Colonial Revival and Italian Renaissance styles. The two-story building has a tiled roof, elaborate “boxed” eaves, elegant arched windows, and detailed grille work. This historically significant building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
The Draper Building: This 1905 two-story, red-brick building sports five arched bays on the ground floor. The second story continues the arch motif with four paired arched windows. White bricks form four diamond shapes at the top of the building.
Public Art in La Junta
As you walk around downtown, you’ll likely see buildings adorned with murals. La Junta’s public art doesn’t stop there, though. For example, the LiveWell Park & Amphitheater (316 Santa Fe Avenue) features a long mural along one wall as well as the “Wishing Tree,” a striking 15-foot (4.6 m) metal sculpture by local artist Richard Hale. The idea is to make a wish by placing a pebble into the tree’s woven openings. It’s La Junta’s take on throwing a penny into a fountain!
Don’t leave downtown without a stroll through La Junta’s Art Alley, an outdoor art gallery that exists thanks to the efforts of artist Zeke Ayala. National and local artists transformed the alley off Third Street between Colorado Avenue and Santa Fe by painting murals on the backs of buildings.
Historic Houses in La Junta, Colorado
A short distance from downtown, the San Juan Historic District preserves seven well-preserved Victorian houses in the Queen Anne style, mainly within the 500 block of San Juan Avenue. All were built between 1896 and 1905. Still functioning as residences, they remain in good condition with relatively few exterior changes.
Two other historic houses in La Junta are worth viewing. The Dr. Frank Finney House (608 Belleview Ave.) dates from 1899 (architect Walter Dubree). It’s considered the largest historic home in the area with extravagant Colonial Revival details.
Finally, the Eugene Rourke house (619 Carson) has both Queen Anne style and Colonial Revival style elements. Rourke was a prominent rancher and businessman. The house was built in town so his children could attend school. The Rourke Ranch is now part of the Comanche National Grassland and is designated a National Historic District.
La Junta Museums
La Junta’s Koshare Art Museum (15 W 18th Street, formerly the Koshare Indian Museum) is renowned for its exceptional collection of Southwest and Native American art.
The museum has a significant and notable collection of Native American artifacts; however, these objects were not on display during my visit in 2024. Like many museums, Koshare closed these displays in response to new (2024) regulations updating the implementation of the 1990 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
The Kiva Room
The Koshare Museum also features an attraction worth visiting in its own right. “The Kiva” room is patterned after an authentic Ancestral Puebloan Kiva. It was built in 1949 by local Boy Scouts as a performance venue.
The architecturally significant Kiva is considered to have one of the largest self-supported log roofs in the world. The circular ceiling spans 60 feet (18 m) across and weighs over 40 tons (36.3 metric tons). This monumental structure consists of 627 overlapping logs arranged using a type of reciprocal frame construct.
Note: Photography was not allowed inside the museum on my visit, so I can only show the exterior view. But trust me, the myriad of logs seen from the inside is extraordinary!
Koshare Art Museum hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 11 AM – 3 PM; Admission, $6 (adults) / $4 (17 and under).
The Otero Museum (3rd and Anderson) showcases the history of Otero County from approximately 1875 through the end of World War II. Railroad history, agriculture, and a World War II military airbase are featured exhibits.
Otero Museum hours: June through September; Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 1-4 PM; Admission, $5 (adults and children over 12).
La Junta’s Annual Tarantula Fest
La Junta celebrates the annual mating trek of male tarantulas during its Tarantula Fest, usually held the last weekend in September.
Every year from about mid-September through October, male tarantulas in the Comanche National Grassland near La Junta leave their burrows to search for mates. The hairy, eight-legged spiders roam over 443,000 acres (179,276 ha) of the Grassland looking for a female.
La Junta’s Tarantula Fest includes guided tarantula tours, a parade, educational talks, food, drink, and merch booths, “live art,” classic cars, and more. What better way to demystify a potentially creepy natural phenomenon!
La Junta’s Parks and Recreation Areas
Several parks and open spaces are located within La Junta’s city limits. The most popular is City Park, featuring elements installed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the late 1930s. Among the park’s many amenities are a playground, pedestrian paths, picnic tables and benches, a fishing pond, a bandstand, basketball courts, and a skatepark.
Other outdoor recreation sites include the Clay Hills Flying Saucer Disc Golf Course (10th and Barnes) and the 9-hole La Junta Golf Club (27696 Harris Rd.).
Attractions Near La Junta, Colorado
Farm Markets
Roadside farm markets sell locally grown produce from approximately July through September in La Junta and the nearby towns of Swink, Rocky Ford, and Manzanola.
Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site
Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site (35110 CO-194) is a reconstructed 1840s adobe trading post. The original fort, built in 1833, became a crucial stop on the Santa Fe Trail. At this time, the Arapaho and Cheyenne tribes hunted buffalo in the La junta area. They traded buffalo hides at the fort for other goods and commodities. The hides were shipped east and sold to generate income for purchasing necessary goods for this pioneer stockade. Before the Mexican-American War in 1846, it was the final U.S. outpost before travelers crossed into Mexico at the Arkansas River.
I have a whole post on Santa Fe Trail sites, including Bent’s Old Fort NHS. You can read more about visiting Bent’s Old Fort NHS here.
Comanche National Grassland
La Junta is near the Comanche National Grassland (Timpas Unit). This preserved land has two “must-do” hiking trail sites: Vogel Canyon and Picketwire Canyon. Yes, there are canyons hiding in the prairies of southeastern Colorado!
Vogel Canyon is a 25-minute drive from La Junta. The canyon’s four trails can be combined to form loops of 3-5 miles (5-8 km). Horses are also allowed in Vogel Canyon.
The Picketwire Canyon trail leads hikers, bikers, and equestrians to the largest preserved dinosaur track site in North America. The site has over 1,900 individual footprints within 130 trackways. Picketwire Canyon is considered a challenging hike due to its long distance (11.4 miles, 18.3 km round trip) and harsh environment.
Both hikes, especially the Picketwire Canyon hike, require adequate preparation due to the remote locations, arid climate, extreme heat, and lack of potable water and shade.
Both hikes can be done over a weekend using La Junta as a home base. For a detailed description, see my post on A Hiking Weekend in Southeastern Colorado: Hike Vogel Canyon & Picketwire Canyon.
Additional Information for the Picketwire Canyon
There are also limited opportunities to visit the Picketwire Canyon on an auto tour led by Forest Service Personnel. You can book the Picketwire Canyonlands Guided Auto Tour on the official recreation.gov website.
Remember rancher Eugene Rourke’s house in La Junta? His preserved ranch is now a National Historic Site and is at the end of the Picketwire Canyon trail. The ranch is located 3.4 miles (5.4 km) past the dinosaur track site.
Dining Options in La Junta, Colorado
While La Junta has a relatively small footprint, it has a good selection of restaurants for visitors.
The Barista (307 Colorado Ave.) is a cozy café renowned for its exceptional coffee, delectable pastries, and light meals.
he Yak & Yeti Bar & Lounge (1325 E 3rd St.) has transitioned away from Asian cuisine and now serves American favorites: burgers, sandwiches, wings, and pasta.
I was impressed with the bacon jalapeño burger, served with pepperjack cheese and chipotle mayo.
Mauricio’s Taco Shop (W, 1121 US-50) is a super casual spot serving a large variety of tacos and other Mexican dishes. Its drive-thru is very popular, but there’s plenty of indoor seating for a sit-down meal.
La Junta’s Mexico City Cafe (1617 Raton Ave) serves authentic Mexican cuisine in a converted house. The menu includes enchiladas, tamales, rellenos, tacos, burritos, and even more. And the full bar serves up delicious margaritas.
The carnitas plate is shown here.
Where to Stay in La Junta
La Junta offers a range of lodging options, from tried-and-true chain hotel brands to local properties, vacation rentals, and even a campground.
The rooms at the Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express have a mini refrigerator and microwave. Amenities at each include an indoor pool, fitness center, and complimentary breakfast.
The nearby Stagecoach Motel is an older, budget-friendly option with clean, comfortable rooms, each equipped with a mini refrigerator and microwave. The motel includes a continental breakfast in the room rate.
Use the map and links below to research and book your lodging in La Junta.
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Visiting La Junta, Colorado: Pin It for Later!
I created these pins of La Junta, Colorado, for your Pinterest Boards.
Final Thoughts on Visiting La Junta, Colorado
Whether you’re drawn to the history, outdoor adventures in the Comanche National Grassland, or the inviting, no-rush charm of the southeastern plains, La Junta proves to be more than just a detour—it’s a chance to slow down and reflect. Just 66 miles (106 km) east of Pueblo, La Junta offers a friendly spirit and cultural richness that make any visit worthwhile.
Looks like a great stop for train aficionados!
I think you’re right! I’ve seen it pop up in a few YouTube videos documenting the train journey.
Does the Southwest Chief stop for long enough to explore La Junta? Or, would you need to spend the night and continue on your train journey the next day?
Unfortunately, it looks like the Southwest Chief only stops in La Junta for 10-15 minutes. As far as I’m aware, there are no car rentals available in La Junta, and no taxis. Uber seems to be available, but with very high prices for example, $50 for a 5 minute ride from the Amtrak station to a hotel. You really need a car to visit the area properly.
I love small towns! The post office is beautiful, and the Dr. Frank Finney House was such a hodge-podge of styles! Would love to see it renovated. And I know where I’d eat: at the Mexico City Cafe!
I love your enthusiasm for small towns! Glad you enjoyed the post!
I think what’s surprising to me is what seems like such a small town has major chain hotels, like Hilton and Holiday Inn.
And the Hilton was sold out on my last visit! It’s right off the highway so I think it gets a lot of general road trip and business travel traffic.