Overview
Walsenburg is the county seat of Huerfano County, Colorado, USA. Once called "La Plaza de los Leones," Walsenburg sits at an altitude of 6,171 feet (1,881 m) above sea level on the geological border between Colorado's Eastern Plains to the east and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the west. Once a bustling mining town at the turn of the 20th century, today Walsenburg is a tranquil, laid-back base for Southern Colorado's outdoor tourism.
1 sights · 3 things to do · 8 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 8 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Walsenburg
Walsenburg Mining Museum
"The Walsenburg Mining Museum, housed in an 1896 jail, exhibits not only the stories of Huerfano County's mining camps, but memorabilia from such notable characters as Bob Ford (famous for killing Jesse James) and labor …
Fox Theatre Walsenburg
Movies on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday matinees.
Lathrop State Park
Camping, hiking, fishing, programs, etc. The Hogback Trail is unique and provides great views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Walsenburg Municipal Golf Course
Nine holes. See the "Eat" section below for detail on the golf course's restaurant.
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 Colorado Springs)
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.
- PUB Pueblo Memorial Airport, Pueblo — 48 mi away. Directions
- ALS San Luis Valley Regional Airport/Bergman Field, Alamosa — 61 mi away. Directions
- COS City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, Colorado Springs — 82 mi away (major hub). Directions
Greyhound has one bus in each direction (north, south) each day.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $36–$150 a night (typical $115), from 7 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$80, mid-range ~$190, comfortable ~$320.
Options are grouped as Lodging, RV Camping, Camping in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Walsenburg Mining Museum, Fox Theatre Walsenburg
- Lunch Second St. Bar & Grill
- Afternoon Walsenburg Municipal Golf Course, Lathrop State Park
- Dinner The Branch Cafe
- Evening Paco's Starlight Tavern
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
The restaurants listed below are some of Walsenburg's locally owned and operated dining establishments. The Southern Colorado cuisine offered in Walsenburg is a fusion of classic American fare and New-Mexican food.
Walsenburg's Northlands neighborhood is 2.5 miles north of downtown on Walsen Avenue at Interstate 25 exit 52.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Although it is an incorporated city with just over 3,000 residents (2019), Walsenburg has a rural, small-town atmosphere. The town is surrounded by cattle ranches and housing subdivisions with large lots, many of whose homes are often occupied by the retirees that reside in the county. Walsenburg is often called a "crossroads town," owing to the fact that anyone traveling into the San Luis Valley or beyond begins their westward journey at the crossroads of I-25 and US-160.
The Spanish Peaks, two prominent, neighboring mountains, lie just southwest of Walsenburg and are an important part of its identity. Huerfano County is home to numerous geological dikes, including one that marks much of Walsenburg's northern border, called The Hogback.
Historically an important coal-mining center, Walsenburg's economy now relies on real estate, retail, restaurants, tourism, government, and health care. There are two railway lines that run daily operations through Walsenburg. Periodically, the town's traffic is brought to a brief halt by train passage.
Municipal information
City of Walsenburg website
Get in
By car
- I-25 (north and south) is the major interstate leading in and out of the city.
- U.S. Highway 160 connects Walsenburg to Alamosa and Durango to the west.
- Colorado State Highway 10 connects Walsenburg to La Junta.
By bus
Greyhound has one bus in each direction (north, south) each day.
See
Museum
See Walsenburg Mining Museum
"The Walsenburg Mining Museum, housed in an 1896 jail, exhibits not only the stories of Huerfano County's mining camps, but memorabilia from such notable characters as Bob Ford (famous for killing Jesse James) and labor leader Mary 'Mother' Jones." Open from April to November.
Do
Festivals & events
- May Walsenburg Porchfest, held the last Saturday in May. Concerts, yard sales, mural painting, etc.
- September Mountain Mining Days includes a parade, displays of antique and special cars, vendor booths, and other events.
- November The Parade of Lights on the Friday after Thanksgiving, on Main Street.
Movie theater
Parks
Golfing
Buy
There are several shops, including several antique stores, on and near Main Street.
Eat
The restaurants listed below are some of Walsenburg's locally owned and operated dining establishments. The Southern Colorado cuisine offered in Walsenburg is a fusion of classic American fare and New-Mexican food.
Downtown
Eat Gub Gub's
A pizza joint that also serves ice cream. Full bar.
Eat RegalBurg Delicatessan
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, cheeses and meats by the pound, pastries, etc.
Eat The StokeHouse
A full bar and restaurant, opened November 24, 2023.
Eat The Branch Cafe
Breakfast and lunch
Northlands
Walsenburg's Northlands neighborhood is 2.5 miles north of downtown on Walsen Avenue at Interstate 25 exit 52.
Eat George's Drive Inn
Breakfast and lunch only.
East side
Eat TC's Diner
Tasty American and Mexican food in a friendly atmosphere
At the golf course
Eat Second St. Bar & Grill
American comfort food with a full bar. Call to ensure they're open
Drink
Coffee
Drink Serendipity Specialty Retail & Coffee House
Bars
Drink Crafty Canary Brewery
A microbrewery specializing in ales, with a full bar.
Sleep
Lodging
RV Camping
Stay Walsenburg Golf Course RV Campground
Opened in June 2023: 10 RV sites with 50-, 30-, and 20-amp electric hookups and free high-speed Wi-Fi. Located next to the golf course restaurant and the golf course itself. It's adjacent to Lathrop State Park but not a part of the park, so no park pass is required, unless you also use the park.
Camping
Go next
- 16 miles west of Walsenburg is the sleepy hamlet of La Veta. An artsy town, you can visit the galleries along Main Street.
- Further up the canyon from La Veta lies Cuchara, an unincorporated town in a forested valley surrounded by the San Isabel National Forest and the Culebra Range, a sub-range of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Huerfano County's first county park, Cuchara Mountain Park, is here. A former ski resort, the alpine park now offers hiking and other activities. Cuchara has a one-block long 'downtown' section with some shops and restaurants. There are several trailheads along Highway 12 in Cuchara as well.
- Colorado State Highway 12 connects with U.S. Highway 160 north of La Veta and then goes south and then west to Trinidad. It passes through La Veta and Cuchara and then crosses Cucharas Pass (10,000 feet) before entering Las Animas County, eventually reaching its terminus in Trinidad.
Nearby
Trinidad
City / town · 10 listings · 35 mi away
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Park · 3 listings · 40 mi away
Pueblo
City / town · 17 listings · 45 mi away
Westcliffe
City / town · 4 listings · 51 mi away
Raton
City / town · 6 listings · 54 mi away
Crestone
City / town · 3 listings · 56 mi away
Alamosa
City / town · 31 listings · 61 mi away
Cañon City
City / town · 25 listings · 62 mi away
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