Antonito, CO

Antonito is a small, quiet town in southern Colorado, sitting in the high desert of the San Luis Valley just north of the New Mexico border. With a population of around 600 and an elevation close to 7,900 feet, life here moves at a calm, rural pace. U.S. 285 runs straight through town, putting Alamosa about thirty minutes to the north for hospital visits, big-box shopping, and everyday essentials. Nature is right at your doorstep, with the Conejos River nearby for fishing and the Rio Grande National Forest offering endless spots for hiking and camping. Brightly painted murals on local buildings bring a splash of art and color to the main streets.

ATTRChris Light / CC BY-SA 4.0

The town got its start in the late 1800s as a sheep-herding settlement before developing into a bustling railway stop. Today, Antonito is famous as the Colorado depot for the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, where historic steam trains carry riders through the mountains into Chama, New Mexico. The area retains a rich cultural heritage, seen in landmarks like the old volcanic rock train depot and the historic Our Lady of Guadalupe parish down the road in Conejos. For people looking for open spaces, historic charm, and a low-key lifestyle off the beaten path, Antonito is an easy place to settle into.