Need a break to the great outdoors? Here’s your chance to take advantage of the many hiking trails that are near Raton and in our own backyard. Hidden among the mountains of the Southern Rockies and plains of Northeastern New Mexico are some of the best-kept and uncrowded trails. Visit one of our local trails, enjoy the fresh air, and many of gorgeous vista views we have to offer.
Climax Canyon with a view of Raton below (Photo by Christine Borst)
Climax Canyon Nature Trail
Climax Canyon trail is a quick getaway perfect for easy accessibility and those wishing to stay in town. Try this 2.7 mile trail located on the west end of Apache Avenue just a few blocks from downtown. The trail is great for mountain biking, running, and walking with open views of the city, Johnson Mesa, and the Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field.
Capulin Volcano view facing east towards Southern Rockies and Raton (Photo by Gabe Duran)
Capulin Volcano National Monument
Located just 30 minutes east of Raton, you're just a short, scenic drive from seeing nature at its finest. Capulin Volcano National Monument, known for its starry nighttime views, boasts five different hiking trails, including the Crater Vent Trail which leads to the bottom of the Capulin's crater. The Lava Flow Trail is a one mile loop that crosses one of the volcano's lava flows while providing great views of the surrounding volcanic topography. According to Park Ranger Geoff Goins, the Crater Rim Trail has the best views, as you can see five different states from the top (Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas).
Vista Grande Trail view looking down the canyon from Soda Pocket Campground (Photo by Instagram.com/go_nash_go)
Sugarite Canyon State Park
Sugarite Canyon State Park is a 10-minute drive northeast of Raton on Highway 526 where the grasslands of the Great Plains and Southern Rockies meet. Enjoy nature and wildlife on 13 different trails adding up to nearly 20 miles to explore. Walk the Coal Camp Trails, a trail that loops through historic ruins of a former coal mining town. The Lake-to-Lake trail is the park’s newest trail that goes from Lake Alice in Colorado to Lake Maloya in New Mexico, and has one bridge that crosses over a beaver pond. One of our favorites is the Vista Grande trail that is easy for families to hike and learn about the local ecology with grand vista views.
Trinidad Lake facing east toward Fishers Peak in Colorado (Photo by Ashley Edmondson)
Trinidad Lake State Park
Thirty minutes north of Raton into Colorado is Trinidad Lake State Park. Expect open vistas, grasslands, forests, cliffs and ponds. The park offers seven trails ranging in difficulty. Try the South Shore Trail which follows the southern shore of the lake and leads to seldom-explored areas of the park.
Fishers Peak State Park (Photo by Wayne Lewis)
Fishers Peak State Park
Across I-25 from Trinidad Lake State Park, is the newest state park in Colorado–Fishers Peak State Park. The park offers incredible views of Trinidad and the eastern plains on eight gorgeous trails. The Fishers Peak Trail-Osita Ridge Section reaches the upper saddle below Osita Point, with views of Fishers Peak towering overhead. Each year the park is expanding and building new trails with on heading all the way up to Fishers Peak by 2024.