4

Days

Stay in 3 Friendly Places

  • Springfield, Colorado
  • Historical Everett Ranch
  • La Junta, Colorado

Art on the Trail

Updated: Jun 4, 2019

Hike 4 Canyons

  • Carrizo Canyon
  • Picture Canyon
  • Vogel Canyon
  • Picket Wire Canyon

Explore Local Art

  • Rock Art in Vogel Canyon
  • Rock Art in Picket Wire Canyon
  • Petroglyphs in Picture Canyon
  • Koshare Museum & Dance Kiva
  • Picketwire Theater
  • Three Feathers Art Gallery
  • The Hull Art Studio
This four-day excursion is focused on hiking the canyons of southeastern Colorado and enjoying the different voices of the plains through unique artist expression. Travel first to Springfield, Colorado located in the extreme southeastern corner of the state. This is where you will meet up with two amazing canyon hikes, a historical working ranch, and a couple of local artists with big dreams. Your canyon explorations will then take you north to La Junta, Colorado for the final two days. There you will see a historical museum and kiva, admire local art, and challenge yourself in two more canyons where amazing wonders await.

Day 1

Activity

Hike Carrizo Canyon

Carrizo Canyon is a beautiful site that provides opportunity for viewing petroglyphs, birding, hiking, and camping. The canyon is a good example of early Indian inhabitance with live water year-round, and protection. Restrooms are also available. Area history and WPA sites included on the tour on the way to the canyon.
Lunch

Main Street Bistro

Pick up food before you leave for Carrizo Canyon and pack it in with you. There are picnic tables in specific areas of the canyon.Make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and protective clothing.

American Cuisine Breakfast, Lunch
Open 7 AM – 1:30 PM Monday to Friday
857 Main Street | Springfield, CO
(719) 529-0999

Activity

Hike Carrizo Canyon (Continued)

Tip
Please do not touch rock art and petroglyphs. Oils from your hands promote deterioration of the drawings and the rock surface. Do not draw or scratch graffiti on rocks or cliff faces. Graffiti defaces a fragile irreplaceable legacy. All cultural resources on public lands are protected by law.
Dinner

Longhorn Steak House Café and Gift Shop

American, Steakhouse
Open 6 AM – 9 PM Monday – Saturday, 6 AM – 2 PM Sunday
400 Main Street | Springfield, CO
(719) 523-6554

Activity

Rural Expressions Art Studio

Art studio with open studio time to all visitors. Art classes and events available. Located on the Port to Plains Highway 287. Offers ceramics, canvas painting, crafts.

972 Main Street | Springfield CO
(719) 563-1018
Tuesday-Saturday 10 AM - 5 PM Monday 5 PM - 8 PM

Activity

Three Feathers Art

Three Feathers Art features the work of Bill "Three Feathers" Bunting. Bill was born and raised on the ranch his grandfather homesteaded in the canyon lands of Southeast Colorado. Bill has always had a strong interest in the history of Native Americans and the West. A self-taught artist, poet, and knife maker, much of Bill's work portrays his own interpretation of the past. From metal sculptures to handmade knives and spurs each piece is "one of a kind."

40340 Hwy 287 | Springfield, CO
(719) 529-0729

Lodging

Stage Stop Hotel

Historic Hotel
1033 Main Street | Springfield, CO
(719) 523-4737
stagestophotel.com

Day 2

Breakfast

Kirk’s Kitchen

Café, American
Open 7 AM – 8 PM
973 Main Street | Springfield, CO
(719) 563-1012

Activity

Visit Las Animas Cemetery

Take a tour of Picture Canyon with Casey and Laneha Everett from the Everett Ranch. Picture Canyon has been a crossroads for travelers since people came to what is now known as southeast Colorado. With readily available water and mild winters, it provided fertile grounds and protection. The canyon is in southwest Baca County and borders Oklahoma. It houses petroglyphs, pictographs, a stunning equinox site and many clues for the debate over the pre-history, of America and pre-Columbian European visitors. The canyon also has picnic tables, good walking paths, good opportunities for birding and wildlife viewing, camping, and restroom facilities. Area history and WPA sites included on the tours on the way to the canyon.

Lunch

Subway

Casual counter-serve chain for build-your-own sandwiches & salads, with health-conscious options. Located inside the Loaf 'N Jug Convenience Store. Before leaving Springfield to travel to the Everett Ranch and begin your tour of Picture Canyon, make sure to pick up sandwiches to backpack into the canyon. Within Picture Canyon are a number of rest stops with picnic tables.

1100 Main Street | Springfield, CO 81073
(719) 523-4100

Activity

Visit Boggsville Cemetery

Tip
Make sure to pack in a gallon of water per person in your party.
Dinner

Everett Ranch

As part of your visit to the historical Everett Ranch enjoy an evening meal from the kitchen or an outdoor barbeque. Check the schedules at the ranch for specifics.

(719) 643-5414
canyon-journeys.com

Activity

Everett Ranch

Spend the evening exploring the grounds and admiring the spectacular night skies of southeastern Colorado. Experience the most quiet you’ll ever hear.

(719) 643-5414
canyon-journeys.com

Lodging

Everett Ranch

Estelene Guesthouse

Mar 1 – Oct 31: $125/night
Nov 1 – Feb 29: $100/night

2 Rooms available in the house for additional people in a group after the guesthouse is full. Rooms are $50/pp per night.

For Reservations

Call: (719) 643-5414, this is our home phone. Please leave a message and we will return your call.

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We can accept personal check, cash, and credit cards through PayPal. If paying with a check we will reserve the room when the check clears the bank.

Day 3

Breakfast

Brew Unto Others

At Brew Unto Others our customers have come to expect a friendly smile & an awesome cup of coffee! We're here to provide a place for our customers to come and just relax. Do some work or do nothing—we don't care, we just want you to feel at home. Ask a local what their favorite is and they'll most likely tell you to try one of our homemade cinnamon rolls! Also, on the menu are Fresh Salads, Panini Sandwiches on our Homemade Bread or a delicious Chicken Wrap for lunch! Come on in & sit for a while.

119 S Main Street | Lamar, CO
(719) 336-1331
brewuntootherscoffee.com

Activity

Koshare Museum & Dancers

From live performances to painting parties, guided tours, food samplings, and engaging hands-on events, events at the Koshare Museum bring to life a world full of inspiration, artistic expression, and educational exploration.

115 W 18th Street | La Junta, CO
(719) 384-4411
koshares.com

Activity

Gallery 313 & Frankmore Photography and Design

Enjoy viewing Gordon’s fantastic award-winning photography and Mary’s oil and acrylic paintings. Learn more about La Junta’s newest photography studio featuring photographer, Shawna Frankmore, who specializes in sports, senior, family and children photography on location or in the studio. Shawna expertises also allows her to offer digital design for announcements, photo gifts, and awards.

313 Santa Fe Avenue | La Junta, CO

Lunch

The Barista

Serving a variety of specialty coffees, teas and beverages. Made to order salads and sandwiches to eat in or carry out. Hand packed ice cream available year-round. Catering available. Located in the La Junta Business District Downtown.

204 Santa Fe Avenue | La Junta, CO
(719) 384-2133

Activity

Hike Vogel Canyon

Vogel Canyon is a beautiful sandstone canyon spattered with pinon pine and shortgrass prairie. It was carved out by a tributary of the Purgatoire River and has three permanent springs located at the bottom of the canyon. This area offers some of the best hiking near La Junta with four short trails of easy to moderate difficulty. The sandstone walls of the canyon feature Native American rock art dating from the 1200s to the 1700s.

exploresoutheastcolorado.com

Dinner

The Railyard Bar & Grill

The Railyard stands proudly across the street from La Junta Railroad Station on the Junction of Highway 50 and Colorado, the busiest street in the area. The Railyard's interior showcases numerous railroad signs as well as an authentic railroad crossing signal and other rail-related memorabilia. It is sparkling clean from the cheerfully lit ceiling down to the original beautiful hard wood floors. The selection of spirits features many high-end liquors you won't find anywhere within 60 miles, and they of course carry plenty of excellent Colorado beers as well as national brands.

Activity

Visit the Eads Pioneer Cemetery

A historical community theater group formed over 50 years ago. The Picketwire Theater is a historical school renovated into a stunning theater including a large stage, comfortable auditorium seating, and an architectural stunning balcony. Visit the theater and schedule your plans around four yearly performances.

802 San Juan Avenue | La Junta, CO
(719) 384-8320
picketwireplayers.org

Lodging

Hampton Inn La Junta

An 11-minute walk from the Arkansas River, this modern hotel is also a 2.6-mile drive from the Koshare Indian Museum and a 9.5-mile drive from Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site.

27800 US-50 | La Junta, CO 81050
(719) 384-4444

Day 4

Breakfast

Village Inn

One of the best places around to catch a hearty breakfast. The space offers quaint decor and the food is hearty.

Continue west for 4 miles on Hwy 96 to Ordway. Turn right (north) at the Junction of Hwy 96 and Hwy 71 and travel 3 miles north on Hwy 71. The cemetery is on your left.

Another cemetery awaits you there.

190 Colorado Street | Sugar City, Colorado

Activity

Hike Picketwire Canyon

For an unforgettable experience, explore Picketwire (Purgatoire) Canyonlands on the Comanche National Grasslands south of La Junta. These primitive canyons are home to the largest known set of dinosaur tracks in North America, Native American rock art, early Hispanic settlements and a historic ranch. A variety of wildlife inhabits the area, including deer, antelope, coyote, snakes, lizards and birds.

Website

Lunch

Copper Kitchen

Pick up sandwiches before heading out to the Picketwire Canyonlands. There are picnic tables located along the route. Stop for lunch and enjoy your sandwiches from the Copper Kitchen while you watch nature’s beauty.

116 Colorado Avenue | La Junta, CO 81050
(719) 384-7508

Activity

Hike Picketwire Canyon (Continued)

On the rock walls here: rock art, known as petroglyphs, carved into boulders here more than a thousand years ago by predecessors to Native American tribes. The area is known as Picketwire Canyon, a name that comes from a corrupted, Anglicized version of the word Purgatorio, or Purgatory. It got that name when Spanish conquistadors died here, without last rites, more than 400 years ago.

Dinner

Boss Hogg’s Saloon & Restaurant

This bar and grill features American cuisine including chicken fried stead, catfish, and a multitude of steak options. There’s a full bar, salad bar, full wait staff, and authentic heavy wood furniture. Kid friendly for the entire family. Serves local brew from the Durango Brewing Company (Dean Brewery).

808 E 3rd Street | La Junta, CO
(719) 384-7879

Lodging

Hampton Inn, La Junta

An 11-minute walk from the Arkansas River, this modern hotel is also a 2.6-mile drive from the Koshare Indian Museum and a 9.5-mile drive from Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site.

27800 US-50 | La Junta, CO 81050
(719) 384-4444