Click here for Rio Chama RV Park & Railroad CO. in Chama New Mexico
Scenic Byways and Drives Scenic Byways and Drives

New Mexico Scenic Byways Map
Tracks Across Borders Scenic Byway

Tracks Across Borders Scenic Byway, Colorado Vacation Directory
 
 

Tracks Across Borders Scenic Byway Map, Colorado Click here to go to map legend

Tracks Across Borders Scenic Byway near Arboles, Bayfield, Durango, Ignacio, Navajo Lake, and Pagosa Springs, CO and Archuleta, Chama, and Dulce, NM

The Railroad system plays a large part in the route of the Tracks Across Borders Byway; it follows the route of the historical 1880s Denver & Rio Grande Narrow Gauge Railroad San Juan Extension, Colorado's first and the Nation's largest narrow gauge railroad system. The Southern Ute and Jicarilla Apache history and culture are also very important to this area; their Reservations are still prominent and there are various museums and monuments along the way to learn about their past. This route has some stunning views of canyon walls, sparkling waters of the Navajo River and Amargo Creek, and lots of greenery.

Passengers enjoying the view from an uncovered car aboard the Cumbres and Toltec Narrow Gauge Train between Antonito, CO and Chama, NM.
Cumbres & Toltec Narrow Gauge Train
The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Train in the winter.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
 

Navajo State Park is a must see along the byway. Spend part of the day fishing, water-skiing, boating, wildlife watching, or camping. You might actually need more than just a few hours to experience all that the state park has to offer.

Stop at the Chimney Rock National Monument for some amazing views of archaeological sites and rock formations. There are hundreds of excavated archaeological sites and most of them were living structures for the Ancestral Puebloan Indians. Take a tour of the sites or stop at the Visitor Center for some fun summer workshops.

Old abandoned homestead at a ghost town at Pagosa Junction, Colorado.
Pagosa Junction Ghost Town Home
Antique black and white photo of the Galloping Goose #5.
Galloping Goose #5
 

There are a few ghost towns along the byway: Pagosa Junction and Juanita. The Denver & Rio Grande Narrow Gauge Railroad passed through both towns when it was still running. There are water towers and hopper cars still visible. Parts of the original tracks still lie in Dulce. There is also some boxcars and old administration buildings.

Entrance to the Jicarilla Apache Nation Building in Dulce, NM.
Jicarilla Apache Nation Building
Antique black and white photo of the Jicarilla Apachean Nation people sharing coffee in front of a teepee near Dulce, New Mexico.
Jicarilla Apachean Nation People
 

Some other fun things to do include visiting the Southern Ute Cultural Center & Museum, the Sky Ute Casino Resort located in Ignacio, Colorado, or taking a train ride at either end of the byway. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is still running out of Durango heading north to Silverton. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is out of Chama, New Mexico and crosses the border connecting to Antonito.

Sky Ute Casino located in Ingnacio, Colorado.
Sky Ute Casino
Orange Indian Paintbrush growing along the Tracks Across Borders Scenic Byway, Colorado.
Indian Paintbrush
 

Location: The byway is 125 miles long in Southwestern Colorado/Northeastern New Mexico. Starting in Durango, Colorado, take Highway 172 south through Oxford, Ignacio, and Arboles. From here, take a quick jaunt up to Chimney Rock National Monument along Highway 151 and back down turning onto County Road 500 towards Juanita. You'll cross over the Colorado-New Mexico border and head towards Dulce, New Mexico. From Dulce, head to Chama along Highway 64.

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Places to Stay & Fun Things to Do

Chama Trails Inn Email link icon Web page link icon Photos on page icon
An Inn with a touch of Old New Mexico in Chama: handmade furniture, family suites, gas-log fireplaces, jetted tub. Trails nearby: ATV, hike, snowmobile. ROMANCE PACKAGES: flowers and private label wine.
Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Web page link icon Photos on page icon
Built in 1880, the Cumbres Toltec Scenic Railroad is a spectacular mountain railroad zig-zagging 64 miles between Chama, NM and Antonito, CO. The ride of a lifetime! America’s #1 best scenic railroad!
Rio Chama RV Park In Northern New Mexico Reservation link icon Photos on page icon
In Chama, New Mexico along scenic Highway 17. Fish our Rio! Watch the TRAIN steam over the bridge by our RV Park. BIG RIG Friendly: 60 foot pull-thrus! Camp in shade along the Chama River. Free WiFi!

More Activities & Information

Chama, New Mexico

Durango, Colorado includes: Bayfield, Hesperus, Ignacio, Lemon, Vallecito Lake

Navajo Dam, New Mexico

Navajo Lake, Colorado includes: Arboles, Navajo Dam

Pagosa Springs Area, Colorado

Scenic Byways in Colorado


Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway • Cache la Poudre - North Park Scenic Byway • Church Park Road Scenic Drive • Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway • Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway • Dinosaur Diamond Scenic Byway • Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway • Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway • Frontier Pathways Scenic Byway • Gold Belt Tour Scenic Byway • Grand Mesa Scenic Byway • Guanella Pass Scenic Byway • Gunnison Taylor Park Loop Scenic Drive • High Road to Taos Scenic Byway • Highway of Legends Scenic Byway • Jemez Mountain Trail Scenic Byway

Click to return to main Colorado Scenic Byway Map

• Lariat Loop Scenic Byway • Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway • Mount Evans Scenic Byway • Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic Byway • Peak to Peak Scenic Byway • Pikes Peak Highway Scenic Drive • San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway • Santa Fe Trail Scenic Byway • Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway • South Platte River Trail Scenic Byway • Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway • Tracks Across Borders Scenic Byway • Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway • Trail Ridge Road Scenic Byway • Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic Byway • West Elk Loop Scenic Byway
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