Getting There
By Car -- La Junta is easily reached via U.S. 50, which comes into town from Kansas in the east and continues west to I-25 at Pueblo. From New Mexico, exit I-25 at Trinidad and take U.S. 350; from Durango and southwestern Colorado, take U.S. 160 to Walsenburg, and continue on Colo. 10 to La Junta.
By Train -- Passenger service is available aboard Amtrak (tel. 800/872-7245; www.amtrak.com), with a depot on First Street at Colorado Avenue. The Southwest Chief passes through twice daily (once in each direction) on the main line between Chicago and Los Angeles.
Visitor Information
Contact the La Junta Chamber of Commerce, 110 Santa Fe Ave., La Junta, CO 81050 (tel. 719/384-7411; www.lajuntachamber.com). The chamber is open Monday through Friday 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30 to 5pm.
Getting Around
La Junta is located on the Arkansas River, and U.S. 50, which runs through town as First Street, follows the river's south bank. Highways from Trinidad and Walsenburg join it just west of town. The downtown core focuses on First, Second, and Third streets, crossed by north-south Colorado and Santa Fe avenues. At the east edge of town, Colo. 109 (Adams Ave.) crosses the Arkansas into north La Junta (where it becomes Main St.); 6 blocks past the river, Colo. 194 (Trail Rd.) forks to the right and leads 5 miles to Bent's Old Fort.
Fast Facts
Health services are provided by the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center, 1100 Carson Ave., at 10th Street (tel. 719/384-5412; www.avrmc.org), which has a 24-hour emergency room. The post office is located at 324 Colorado Ave. (at Fourth St.); contact the U.S. Postal Service (tel. 800/275-8777; www.usps.com) for hours and other information.
Special Events -- Santa Fe Trail Caravan, starting at Bent's Old Fort, May; Kids Rodeo, early August; Early Settlers Day, mid-September; Santa Fe Trail Encampment, at Bent's Old Fort, early October; Traditional Holiday Celebration, at Bent's Old Fort, early December.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
