Los Caminos Antiguos is in south-central Colorado about 120 miles southwest of Pueblo. The byway begins in Alamosa, travels by the Great Sand Dunes National Monument, and then heads south to end at the New Mexico state line. It follows CO 17, CO 142, CO 150, CO 159, US 160, and US 285. A short segment also follows Six Mile Lane between CO 17 and CO 150. All the roads are two-lane paved roads suitable for all types of vehicles. The byway is 152 miles long and is usually open year-round.
Los Caminos Antiguos explores the rich heritage of Colorado’s San Luis Valley and its blend of distinctive cultures. The byway passes through Fort Garland, site of an 1858 fort that is now a state museum. It travels through Colorado’s oldest community, San Luis. Travelers can also visit Colorado’s oldest church, Our Lady of Guadalupe, located in Conejos near Antonito. In Antonito, you can take a ride on a narrow-gauge steam train through the Rio Grande National Forest.
Great Sand Dunes National Monument is one of many attractions along the byway. The sand dunes, with the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains as a backdrop, seem out of place here. Rising nearly 700 feet above the valley floor, the dunes are the tallest in North America. They cover an area of approximately 55 square miles. Pinyon Flats is a National Park Service campground near the foot of the dunes and has 88 RV and tent campsites.