Welcome to Huerfano County
The Southern Colorado
Crossroads of The West
Walsenburg, Colorado
Located on I-25 and US 160, with access to Colo. Hwy 10.
Eastern gateway to the Great Sand Dunes National Park.
Huerfano County presents breathtaking scenery, fascinating history
and a wealth of recreational options.
Come and stay for a day and you will want to spend the rest of your life here.
Huerfano County was one of the 17 original counties
when Colorado became a state in 1876.
The word "Huerfano" (War-Fe-No) translated, means "Orphan."
It was named after the lone volcanic butte 7 miles north of Walsenburg on I-25.
Walsenburg is named in honor of Fred Walsen,
an early pioneer, who opened the first coal mines.
Area Information Courtesy of Huerfano County Chamber of Commerce
http://www.huerfanocountychamberofcommerce.com/
Walsenburg Mining Museum- located next to the Huerfano county courthouse.
Celebrates the rich mining museum of the area. Building was also the first county jail.
101 E.5th St. Walsenburg,CO 81089
Huerfano County and the surrounding area have untold beauty that for many is still undiscovered.
From majestic mountain ranges, with peaks so high they seem to touch the sky,
to over 30 square miles of sand dunes that now make up the Great Sand Dunes National Park,
and to valleys,rich and vibrant in color. Each road leads to scenic sights galore.
The Spanish Peaks are the eastern most mountain peaks of the Rocky Mountains.
The San Juans, Sangre De Cristo and other mountain ranges make up the area.
Mt. Blanca is the highest peak in the area at over 14,300 feet, 4th largest in Colorado.
Huerfano County is a gateway to many of these undiscovered sights. I-25, going north and south,
takes you from tip to tip of Colorado. Hwy 160 stretches from the eastern plains of
Colorado over some of the highest mountain passes in the country.
Along the route, one can take detours to the Great Sand Dunes National Park,
an alligator farm, unique to this climate and altitude.
Area surrounding Walsenburg,CO
There's also lakes, valleys, farms and ranches and an abundance of wildlife.
The Highway of Legends, Hwy. 12, takes you south from Highway 160 to La Veta,
Cuchara and other small towns and villages leading down to Trinidad,
the end of the route. You encounter spectacular views of mountains and valleys.
The area is dotted with high altitude lakes, great for fishing, and forests which are great for hiking,
camping, hunting, bird watching, bike riding and many other outdoor activities.
Mining was responsible for the growth of Huerfano County.
On your trek along Highway 12, you will come across old coal and silver mines.
Their heyday is now long gone, but their history remains. Coal was the "black diamond"
of the area for many years and the heritage of Walsenburg and other coal mining towns
are still celebrated today.
There is plenty to see and do on "day trips" from Walsenburg, La Veta, Cuchara and Gardner.
You can drive the wide open plains, directly east of Walsenburg on Highway 10
or head for the top of mountain peaks just to the west.
Be sure you bring your cameras and plenty of film ( or a big memory card of courses).
There is so much to see and do that you can fill up a photo book in no time at all.
Those of us who live in Huerfano County are blessed with the sights we get to see each and everyday.
Sometimes, if we take them for granted, we are thankful for the visitors who remind us
how lucky we are to live in "Mother Nature's backyard.
Walsenburg Huerfano County Water Park
Accommodations
Best Western Rambler 719-738-1121
Knights Inn 719-738-2167
La Plaza B&B 719-738-5700
Rio Cucharas Inn 719-738-2342
Water park
Restaurants:
A & W Drive Inn
I-25 exit 52
719-738-3960
Corines Drive Inn
822 South Main St.
719-738-1231
George's Drive Inn
I-25 exit 52
719-738-3030
Huerfano Cafe
904 W. 7th St.
719-738-2882
Iron Horse Restaurant
& Lounge 503 West 7th
719-738-9966
Pizza Hut
973 Hwy U.S. 85/87 N
719-738-3783
Subway
228 Main Street
719-738-1332
Chuck Wagon Cafe
615 Walsen Av.
719-738-2843
Carl's Jr.
700 Main St. Walsenburg
719-738-1002
Morningstar Cafe
508 Main St.
719-738-3136
