San Luis Valley & Canon City, colorado
Attractions Guide

The following attractions are listed in order along a recommended passing route between Colorado Springs and Santa Fe, New Mexico, passing through Cañon City, and the San Luis Valley. These attractions can be followed in reverse order if driving south from New Mexico to Colorado instead.

Royal Gorge Bridge

You might begin your day by visiting the Royal Gorge Bridge near Cañon City, not too far from Colorado Springs. This very high foot bridge spans a massive rocky canyon of the Arkansas River and features a small adjacent theme park along the canyon rim.

Bishop Castle

To the south of Cañon City is a must-see attraction, the famous Bishop Castle, an incredible structure which has been built out of stone by one man over many years.

Further south of Colorado Springs is the vast San Luis Valley, which is surrounded by mountains and sits on the border with New Mexico. This massive valley is home to the lesser-known Great Sand Dunes National Park.

In the center of the San Luis Valley is the Colorado Gators Reptile Park, a sanctuary where you can view many alligators and birds up-close.

Southern Colorado's Great Sand Dunes National Park, is another highly recommended attraction, featuring a massive sea of giant natural sand dunes set amongst the mountains. Create your own hiking path in the sand while exploring these stunning vast dunes while enjoying the scenery, such as the abundant wildlife and the beautiful Mount Herard which towers above the dunes.

The tallest dune in the national park is known as the High Dune. There's also the Medano Creek on the side of the dunes, a popular location for visitors to cool off and relax while enjoying the stunning scenery.

Zapata Falls

Nearby the Great Sand Dunes you might hike the short 1 mile (1.6 km) round-trip trail up to rocky and beautiful Zapata Falls, which is located just outside the national park.

To the south of the San Luis Valley and about 1.5 hours north of Santa Fe is the beautiful town of Taos, New Mexico. Taos is famous for its UNESCO world heritage site, the Taos Pueblo, which features two incredible multi-story adobe houses which are between 600-1,000 years old.

These very old adobe structures include the Hlauuma (North House) and Hlaukwima (South House). You can also admire the nearby ruins of the San Jeronimo Mission Church, built by the Spanish in the early 1600s.

Be sure to also visit the Downtown Taos Historic District to see impressive adobe architecture, centered around Taos Plaza. In this area you'll find shops selling Native American crafts, as well as cafes, restaurants, and art galleries. This area also hosts several historic homes which have been preserved as museums.

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

Just west of Taos is the impressive Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, which you can look out over after you drive across it. This striking bridge spans a deep canyon gorge of the Rio Grande River in the middle of the desert. Depending on which route you take from the San Luis Valley, it might be better to visit the bridge before Taos.