Raton, New Mexico

Small town charm, mountain adventures

Hilly landscape with green fields and scattered trees, under a partly cloudy sky.

Your gateway to a mountain escape.

Winding trail through grassy hill under a cloudy sky, distant mountains in view.

Raton is a small town in the Rocky Mountains with big charm. At the crossroads of Old West legacies, it's the highest point on the Santa Fe National Historic Trail.

Larger-than-life landscapes make it the ideal stop for endless outdoor recreation, including hiking, skiing, and paddling. Downtown, you’ll find performances in early 20th-century theaters amid captivating art galleries. The region has long been home to the Comanche, Cheyenne, Apache, Paiute, and Ute, whose enduring culture continues to shape local heritage.

What makes Raton special?

Lake with clear blue sky, surrounded by forested hills and a rocky shoreline.

Sugarite Canyon State Park

Formerly a site for coal mining, the serene alpine lakes and meadows of the park provide a scenic haven for hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and rejuvenating camping trips.

Train on snowy tracks curving through a forested landscape with mountains in the background.

Raton Pass

Follow the footsteps of pioneers along this historic mountain pass, part of the Santa Trail once traveled by traders and settlers in the 19th century.

Sunflower meadow with a mountain backdrop under a cloudy sky.

Capulin Volcano National Monument

This extinct volcano offers the chance to explore the area’s geologic past along picturesque trails during the day and stargazing at night at this International Dark Sky Park.