Top 14 Must-Do Activities in Trinidad, Colorado

Located in south-central Colorado’s Las Animas County, Trinidad is a town of approximately 10,000 residents that lies along the historic Santa Fe Trail.

Trinidad is conveniently located just off Interstate 25, close to the New Mexico border to the south. This area is well-known for its rural character, highlighted by national parks, forests, and numerous historic sites.

From Denver, Trinidad is about a four-hour drive away, making it a favored destination for backpackers and enthusiasts of outdoor activities.

Below are 14 engaging activities to explore in and around Trinidad, Colorado.

1. Trinidad History Museum

For first-time visitors to Trinidad who wish to quickly familiarize themselves with the town’s history, the Trinidad History Museum is an excellent place to spend an hour.

Situated on East Main Street downtown, the museum features several attractions within Trinidad’s historic district, including Bloom Mansion and the Santa Fe Trail Museum.

The exhibits encompass historic weaponry, photographs, clothing, and first-hand accounts from individuals who lived in the region during a time when it was considerably more rugged than today.

Additionally, there are Native American artifacts, and most visitors opt to explore the aforementioned attractions on the same day.

2. Corazon Gallery

While Western art was once primarily regional, it has now gained popularity across the nation.

Art enthusiasts, especially those unfamiliar with the local culture, will find that visiting a gallery or two offers unique insights into the artistic landscape.

Corazon Gallery, also located on East Main Street, is a cooperative of local artists producing a diverse range of works, including oil paintings, ceramics, handcrafted jewelry, and contemporary photography.

Artists often work on-site, providing an inviting atmosphere for visitors to engage with them and learn more about their creations.

3. Trinidad Trolley

Given its small-town charm, exploring Trinidad is easily done by car, foot, or bicycle; however, there is an alternative and romantic way for those seeking a unique experience.

The Trinidad Trolley offers an enjoyable and economical means to explore the town, primarily focusing on historic buildings with captivating architecture.

Trolley tours are available in various styles, all departing from the station on Nevada Avenue.

Depending on the chosen option, your tour may include stops at the Ava Maria Shrine, an impressive historic hospital, and a large mural created by a local nun.

4. Perkatory Coffee House

Coffee shops play an integral role in many people’s daily routines. For those who rise early to maximize their limited vacation time, they provide an ideal venue to energize before embarking on daily adventures.

Like many of Trinidad’s prime attractions, Perkatory Coffee House is also located on East Main Street and is characterized as cool, quirky, and welcoming.

The menu features a wide array of hot and cold beverages encompassing nitro brew, espresso, tea, and juice.

Regular patrons rave about their variety of baked goods, including pastries, muffins, and carrot cake topped with homemade cream cheese frosting.

5. Louden-Henritze Archaeology Museum

Colorado’s landscape boasts significant archaeological sites that date back thousands of years to when various Native American cultures thrived in the area.

The Louden-Henritze Archaeology Museum originated from a local college known for its robust archaeology department and has since gathered an impressive collection of artifacts.

The exhibits showcase remnants of both human and animal habitation, including pottery, baskets, and fossilized dinosaur bones.

Louden-Henritze is located within the Freudenthal Library and is open Monday through Thursday from 10 AM to 3 PM.

6. Tutti Scoops

While historic sites, museums, and breathtaking natural attractions are commendable vacation destinations, sometimes weary travelers prefer to unwind with a sizeable ice cream cone.

Tutti Scoops, located on North Commercial Street, offers nearly 20 flavors of homemade ice cream, featuring both traditional and innovative options.

Previous patrons have noted that Tutti Scoops provides a delightful blend of nostalgia and modernity, reminiscent of the ice cream parlors of yesteryear.

The chocolate chip cookie dough and butter pecan flavors are perennial favorites, with ample bike and car parking available along the street.

7. Trinidad Lake State Park

Trinidad Lake State Park provides an excellent option for those wishing to experience the wild beauty of Colorado without journeying for hours to other state and national parks.

The park’s lake is particularly favored by anglers, offering a variety of game fish, including large and smallmouth bass, catfish, walleye, and trout.

Up-to-date fishing reports can be found online, and while many visitors prefer to fish during warm and sunny weather, fish activity often peaks during windy, cold, and overcast conditions, particularly when the barometer is falling.

It is advisable to procure a fishing license before embarking on this endeavor.

8. Purple Toad Social Tap & Grill

Purple Toad Social Tap & Grill is conveniently situated just off Interstate 25 on North Chestnut Street in Trinidad.

This bar and restaurant combination offers both indoor and outdoor seating, with the latter being dog-friendly and particularly popular during the summer months.

It is well-regarded for its hearty bar fare, which is reasonably priced and served in ample portions.

The bestsellers include quesadillas, fish and chips, mac and cheese, and juicy burgers. Many patrons enjoy drinks and appetizers like sliders, potato skins, and soft pretzel bites while socializing with friends.

9. Simpson’s Rest

While Trinidad, Colorado, may never be confused with Hollywood, California, both cities share iconic signs situated on mountains overlooking their downtown areas.

The Trinidad sign is located atop a rugged bluff in a residential neighborhood, and visitors can access the top via an unpaved road that is easily traversable if approached cautiously.

From this elevated position, one can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of both the town and the surrounding countryside; however, the road is open only during daylight hours and is gated from sunset to sunrise.

10. Sita’s Kitchen

Sita’s Kitchen, located on East Main Street, has garnered a loyal customer base since opening its doors in 2018, particularly among fans of vibrant and healthy vegan cuisine.

The restaurant is well-regarded for its relaxed and inviting atmosphere, specializing in creative uses of non-meat ingredients to provide diners with a distinctive experience not found elsewhere in the area.

Highlighted menu items include quinoa-based meatballs and vegetable noodles. While many of their ingredients are sourced locally, others are unique, such as jackfruit, which is native to Southeast Asia.

11. Rino’s Italian Restaurant and Steakhouse

Despite its small size, Trinidad boasts an impressive variety of dining options available for locals and visitors alike.

Rino’s Italian Restaurant and Steakhouse is situated downtown and operates from Wednesday to Sunday, between 5 PM and 9 PM.

Rino’s offers an assortment of steak options along with traditional Italian favorites such as ravioli, pasta, and gnocchi. It also features one of the most extensive wine selections in the region.

Although the restaurant presents a slightly upscale dining experience compared to many local eateries, it maintains a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere with prices that reflect the quality and portion sizes.

12. Mitchell Museum of Western Art

Since 1981, the Mitchell Museum of Western Art on Main Street has been integral to Trinidad’s artistic community.

The museum’s collection features both Native American artifacts and works from local artists across various mediums, often depicting western themes such as cowboys, cattle, and stunning snow-capped mountains.

Many pieces reflect the rich Hispanic influences in the area. In addition to the permanent collection, the museum organizes special events throughout the year; therefore, checking their website for upcoming happenings is advisable before planning a visit.

13. San Isabel National Forest

Spanning over one million acres, the San Isabel National Forest features diverse landscapes and offers visitors a multitude of activity options throughout the year.

This forest attracts camping and backcountry backpacking enthusiasts, boasting over 40 individual campgrounds.

Additionally, San Isabel comprises more than 700 miles of trails and features over a dozen peaks that rise to 14,000 feet or higher.

There are two lakes that serve as popular attractions during the warmer months, attracting swimmers, kayakers, and anglers alike.

14. Comanche National Grassland

Comanche National Grassland encompasses a 430,000-acre expanse of untouched prairie situated about an hour east of Trinidad, bordering Kansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.

During the Dust Bowl era of the early 20th century, much of the region’s topsoil was lost due to drought and unsustainable agricultural practices; however, it has since been restored to nearly pristine condition.

This area is home to one of the largest concentrations of dinosaur tracks in the western United States, many of which are over 100 million years old.

Owing to the vastness of the grassland, many visitors begin their exploration at the welcome center and museum.