Overview
Raton is a town in northeastern New Mexico, United States of America.
2 sights · 1 places to eat · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Raton
National Scouting Museum
Villa Philmonte
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Wettest: Jul and Aug. (climate data from nearby Santa Fe)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TSM Taos Regional Airport, Taos — 75 mi away. Directions
- ALS San Luis Valley Regional Airport/Bergman Field, Alamosa — 87 mi away. Directions
- COS City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, Colorado Springs — 133 mi away (major hub). Directions
Raton is on Interstate 25, a main north-south artery in the Rocky Mountain region, just south of Raton Pass. Access from the south is usually straightforward, but the pass can be rough going during winter storms, with the possibility of closures for short times.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning National Scouting Museum
- Lunch Pappa's Sweet Shop
- Afternoon Villa Philmonte
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
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Photos
Map
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Get in
Raton is on Interstate 25, a main north-south artery in the Rocky Mountain region, just south of Raton Pass. Access from the south is usually straightforward, but the pass can be rough going during winter storms, with the possibility of closures for short times.
Raton is a stop along Amtrak's daily Southwest Chief line. The depot is located at 201 South First Street. This stop has a staffed ticket office only during the summer (generally late spring to late August). At other times, tickets must be purchased at another station or online.
See
- Raton was a waypoint on the Santa Fe Trail, and there are some historic sites in town. Check out the town museum at 216 S. First St., +1 575 445-8979, not only for exhibits and artifacts at the museum itself, but also for guidance to other historic sites.
Do
Raton is the main gateway to the Philmont Scout Ranch and the city of Cimarron.
Raton is also the gateway to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Buy
Raton has fantastic antique shops along 1st and 2nd Streets in the downtown section of town.
Eat
Eat Pappa's Sweet Shop
M-Sa 11-2, 5-9; closed major holidays. Not just a candy store (although it is that, and a good one), but also quite a good source of standard American fare; the salads are excellent. Pleasant atmosphere in the dining room in back, which you don't see at first glance when you walk in; don't be fooled by your initial reactions.
Sleep
Go next
- Trinidad (Colorado) is on the Colorado side of Raton Pass, with more Santa Fe Trail points of interest.
- South of Raton, the Santa Fe Trail follows US 64 for several miles en route to the small town of Cimarron. While the Trail itself isn't much to look at on this segment (few authentic ruts are visible), the drive is scenic, and west of Cimarron the highway enters the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains with many fine views and hiking opportunities on the way to Taos.
- Sugarite State Park
Nearby
Trinidad
City / town · 10 listings · 19 mi away
Cimarron
City / town · 9 listings · 38 mi away
Eagle Nest
City / town · 6 listings · 51 mi away
Walsenburg
City / town · 30 listings · 54 mi away
Red River
City / town · 9 listings · 55 mi away
Angel Fire
City / town · 9 listings · 58 mi away
Taos Pueblo
City / town · 69 mi away
Taos
City / town · 49 listings · 71 mi away
My experience
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