A family vacation, southern Colorado style, isn’t about cramming every famous stop into one exhausting week. Down here, things have room to breathe, and any family trip should reflect that.
At Steam Train Hotel, we help families plan that trip. We’re a historic, family-run hotel in Antonito, and we know which parts of the valley are worth the drive.
What makes a family vacation in southern Colorado different?
Southern Colorado isn’t resort Colorado. This is high desert, railroad history, ranch country, old churches, and dark skies. The San Luis Valley doesn’t try to be the ski lodge, chilling by the fireplace, Colorado trip families usually picture, and that’s kind of the appeal.
Colorado family trips aren’t usually packed to the brim with activities. Sometimes it’s just doing the one thing, like riding the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad, or learning that sand dunes are a lot harder to climb than they look.
That said, a good trip down here needs a few strong anchors with space between them; otherwise, you run the risk of stretching yourself too thin.
Which kid-friendly attractions in Colorado are actually worth the drive?
The Cumbres & Toltec is the obvious answer. The full route runs 64 miles between Antonito and Chama, New Mexico, climbing into the mountains and giving you the kind of views that make any family vacation to southern Colorado worth it.
Great Sand Dunes National Park is the other big draw, about 1 to 1.5 hours from Antonito, depending on snack-stop frequency. Pair it with Zapata Falls just south of the entrance, and you’ve got yourself a full day of nature-packed adventure.
Go early if you’re visiting in summer, because hot sand is not a parenting victory.
Some of the best kid-friendly attractions Colorado has aren’t polished at all, and Cano’s Castle in Antonito — handmade, covered in hubcaps and scrap metal — is one of them.
The UFO Watchtower in Hooper also works well for older kids who like a good, strange story, and Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge is a great choice around October, when the sandhill cranes gather by the thousands.
How can families keep an Antonito trip from feeling rushed?
Stay two nights if you’re riding the train. Three if you want the dunes too.
One night can work if you just want to arrive, sleep, ride, and leave, but the full-day Cumbres & Toltec ride takes most of the day, and by the time you’re back, most families want dinner and bed, so plan accordingly.
Our suggestion? Arrive, walk Antonito, see Cano’s Castle, eat at Dos Hermanas or the Dutch Mill Café. Ride the train the next day. Use a third for the dunes, Zapata Falls, or a valley day along the Conejos.
Trust us when we tell you that the attractions in San Luis Valley are better enjoyed with time.
Where should families stay in Antonito?
With us, Steam Train Hotel! We’ve got 13 rooms plus a private cabin, and we’re a short walk away from the train depot, close to dinner, and close to everything that makes a family vacation in southern Colorado such a good idea.
Ready to start planning your Antonito family vacation? Call us at 1-719-298-8908, 9 AM to 8 PM Mountain Time, or book online.
FAQ's
What is the best time of year for a family vacation in southern Colorado?
Late May through October, since that’s when the Cumbres & Toltec runs. It doesn’t hurt that fall’s our favorite time of the year, either.
Is the Cumbres & Toltec good for kids?
For most, yes. Younger kids often do better on the half-day Antonito Limited than the full-day ride, but for the most part, kids really enjoy the sights and the experience.
How far is Antonito from Great Sand Dunes National Park?
About 1 to 1.5 hours by car. Pair it with Zapata Falls while you’re out there, and go early in summer before the sand gets brutal.
What are some good southern Colorado family vacation ideas?
Cano’s Castle, the Antonito murals, the depot, Great Sand Dunes, Zapata Falls, Monte Vista, and the UFO Watchtower. You’ll find plenty to do this side of Colorado, and if you make Antonito your home base, you’ll be able to see it all.
Is Antonito a good base for family trips in Colorado?
If your family wants the train, the valley, the dunes, and a quiet place to land at night, then yes. Small town, close to everything that matters, far enough from the crowds to feel like you actually went somewhere.
