COME TO LIFE EV-Friendly Scenic Byways Colorado’s 26 scenic and historic byways connect you with places where the terrain, culture and everyday life reflect the character of the region. Along these drives, you’ll have the opportunity to walk through ancient cliff dwellings, trace a pioneer route across the plains, sip local varietals at a working vineyard or embark on a trail that leads to panoramic views. Nineteen of these byways are electric vehicle-friendly, with charging stations conveniently located near museums, restaurants and downtown areas. That means you can take your time exploring while your car powers up — making it easier than ever to enjoy a sustainable road trip through Colorado’s most scenic and storied routes. Ride Colorado’s Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway Following one of the oldest trade routes in the American West, the Santa Fe Trail stretches across southeastern Colorado, linking towns where frontier history, Hispanic heritage and prairie ecosystems intersect. In Trinidad, preserved adobe buildings and 19th-century storefronts shape the downtown and just a short walk away, you can explore the Trinidad History Museum campus. Inside the Baca House and Bloom Mansion , period furnishings, trade goods and personal belongings reflect the wealth, cultural influences and trading relationships that developed along the Santa Fe Trail during Trinidad’s rise as a commercial hub. Cruising south, you’ll make your way to La Junta, home to the Koshare Indian Museum . Constructed in the 1940s by a local Boy Scout troop, the space includes a hand-built kiva and an extensive collection of Native American art, beadwork and textiles. Farther east along the byway, John Martin Reservoir State Park draws anglers, kayakers and birders to a high-plains lake bordered by cottonwoods and wetlands. The area supports over 400 documented bird species, and late-spring migration fills the air with calls from warblers, herons and terns. Hook up to Level 2 EV charging, then walk the Red Shin Trail or cast a line from one of several shoreline access points. 114 1-800-COLORADO
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2026: Page 114
