Driving Costilla County means long, open, lightly served roads

Getting around Costilla County is part of the experience, and it is different from city driving. The towns are small and spread out, and a state scenic byway, Los Caminos Antiguos, links some of the historic places here. It is a beautiful drive, but it is still a real trip across open country.

A few things are worth planning for. Distances between gas, food, and help can be long, so it is smart to start with a full tank and not assume a station is just up the road. Cell service can be spotty in stretches. Many roads off the main routes are unpaved, and conditions change with weather.

Winter and weather add to this. The San Luis Valley sees cold, snow, and strong wind that can blow snow or dust across roads and cut visibility fast. Some rural roads may not be plowed quickly after a storm.

None of this should scare you off; it is normal high-valley driving. It just rewards preparation: fuel, water, warm layers, and a check on conditions before a long or remote drive. For scenic byway routes use CDOT, and check current road conditions on the state’s COtrip service before you go.