If you’re looking for a small town in the American West, Raton, New Mexico, might be the place for you. This city is located just 210 miles south of Denver, and 30 miles south of Trinidad. The town has a population of about 7,000 people, and is home to many premier attractions and mind-blowing activities. Read on to learn more about Raton, and begin planning your trip today. You’ll be glad you did!
The city of Raton, New Mexico is located in northeastern New Mexico, south of the Colorado-New Mexican border. It is known for handcrafted items like quilts, specialty loose-leaf tea, and ice cream flavors. For those interested in holistic health, you’ll be able to find yoga and meditation classes in town at Infinite Potential Raton Yoga, and private Gong Sound Healing sessions are available.
If you’re traveling from Colorado, you might want to try visiting Raton Pass, the 7,881-foot summit of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This scenic route connects Trinidad and Raton, New Mexico and offers stunning views and ample outdoor recreation. The pass is easily accessible, with parking at the Welcome to Colorful Colorado sign. Another option is to take an Amtrak train from Trinidad to Los Angeles. Be aware, though, that the pass is susceptible to severe winter weather.
You can find a number of RV parks in the area. While visiting Raton, be sure to check out the Arts & Cultural District, which is the Center for the Arts in Northeastern New Mexico. The Old Pass Gallery and historic Shuler Theater provide visual arts programming, as well as live performances. The historic First Street district is lined with Victorian buildings that are home to many galleries. Raton also boasts a dance school and youth theater.
In addition to outdoor activities, Raton is home to the NRA Whittington Center, which is the largest shooting range in the US. There, you can take part in competitions or practice your shooting skills. There’s also a skeet shooting range and high power rifle shooting range. The city also used to have New Mexico’s first horse racetrack, called La Mesa Park. However, this track was demolished in 1992.
The railroad ran trains from Willow Springs to Raton. The railroad men would board the train at William Boggs’ home. In 1880, railroad officials formed the New Mexico Townsite Company to purchase 320 acres of land from the Maxwell Land Grant Company to develop the townsite. After laying out the townsite, the railroad officials would name the town Raton, after the post office. The town is still known as Raton, but the name has changed over the years.
The weather in Raton varies widely throughout the year. The shortest day in Raton, December 21, is 9 hours, 38 minutes long. The longest day is June 21, with 14 hours, 42 minutes of daylight. The yearly accumulation of warmth is measured by growing degree days, which are integrals of the minimum and maximum temperature. The maximum temperature is 86 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, the yearly average temperature varies widely.