Otero: Prairie, Canyons and Cultural History

Otero brings together open shortgrass prairies, rugged canyons and traces of very different stories. Nature experiences, historic sites and recurring festivals offer different focal points for your trip. If you’re looking for a vacation rental, you can start by deciding whether event dates, cultural history or time outdoors will shape your stay.

Prairie, Canyons and Rock Art

Comanche National Grassland encompasses gently rolling shortgrass prairies and rugged canyons edged by pinyon-juniper woodlands. Petroglyphs and pictographs left by Native Americans are visible on rock faces and overhangs. Wildlife is diverse, too: the grassland is home to 300 different species of birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. The landscape and rock art give a stay a different focus from the historic buildings and collections found in the towns.

Two permanent springs at the bottom of Vogel Canyon provide habitat for diverse wildlife. Rock art left by Native Americans can also be seen on the canyon walls. Picnic areas and hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty offer different ways to spend time there. You can choose trails based on the distance and challenge you want; the trail setting differs from a visit to a historic building or museum.

The City of La Junta’s Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for hiking and walking trails in La Junta. Trail conditions and schedules may vary. At the Withers Canyon Trailhead on the plateau above Picket Wire Canyon, there is access to hiking trails as well as opportunities for horseback riding and mountain biking; trail conditions can change here, too. Unit 125 of the Oxbow SWA is small and has limited access. Check current access conditions before visiting.

Buildings and History

The Grand Theatre is culturally and historically significant for its long-standing use as a local entertainment center. Built in 1908, the Carnegie Public Library Building in Rocky Ford recalls the nationwide public library-building movement promoted by steel manufacturer and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

The Otero Museum documents the history of Otero County in southeastern Colorado. Its railroad collection includes a 1939 Plymouth switcher locomotive and an AT&SF freight car. The Koshare Museum is located in the Koshare Kiva. The original Koshare Kiva, dating to 1949, is listed as a state-protected historic site and serves as a performance venue for the Koshare Dancers.

For another perspective on trade history, visit Bent's Old Fort: the adobe trading post stood along the Santa Fe Trail. Traders, trappers, travelers, and the Cheyenne and Arapaho gathered there for peaceful trade. Guided tours of Picket Wire Canyonlands visit an early Catholic church and cemetery associated with Hispanic and European settlement. Tour participation depends on the schedule; check dates in advance.

Festivals, Agriculture and When to Visit

The Arkansas Valley Fair takes place every year during the third week of August in Rocky Ford. It began in 1878 and is described as Colorado’s oldest continuously running county fair. The fair’s Saturday morning includes the free distribution of 30,000 pounds of Rocky Ford watermelons. The annual Tarantula Fest in downtown La Junta features a parade, vendor booths, an educational area, tarantula tours and live art. Check the fair dates and current festival program before traveling.

Farmers in the Arkansas Valley grow crops including corn, watermelons and cantaloupes. Farmers markets typically take place around La Junta between July and October; individual market dates vary. Event dates and seasonal markets are different points of reference for planning a trip, while agriculture adds another facet to the valley.

Sk8Way Park is another destination in the La Junta area: the skatepark, designed by Tony Hawk, has a concrete surface of more than 16,000 square feet. Check current operating conditions before visiting. If you’re traveling with a range of interests, rock art, history, trails and events can make up different parts of your itinerary, so every day need not follow the same pattern. To search for a vacation rental, first decide which places you want to visit and when you’d like to travel; if you have a specific outing or festival planned, it’s worth checking the relevant dates and access conditions.

Explore More Destinations

Explore more destinations: La Junta, Rocky Ford, Custer, Gilpin County, Kiowa, Saguache County, Washington County, Fremont.

For the main travel overview: Colorado.