Antonito

Antonito is a small town in Conejos County, Colorado, United States. It is located in the San Luis Valley along the Conejos River in southern Colorado. The community developed in the late 19th century in connection with the expansion of the railroad and local agriculture. Today, Antonito remains a small, rural town with a modest population and serves as a gateway for visitors to the surrounding high-desert landscape.

A principal feature of Antonito is its role as the northern terminus of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, a 64-mile heritage railroad that runs between Antonito and Chama, New Mexico. The line, operated as a tourist railroad, uses narrow-gauge trackage and steam locomotives, and traverses a mountain corridor with forested valleys and high passes. The railroad's depot in Antonito is a focal point for rail enthusiasts and travelers, and the operation brings seasonal tourism to the town.

The local economy relies on agriculture as well as tourism connected to the railroad and to the San Luis Valley region. The climate is characteristic of high-desert conditions, with cold winters and warm summers, and a rural landscape surrounding the town.

Notable features include the Antonito Depot and access to the Cumbres and Toltec route. The town is part of the broader Conejos County and San Luis Valley communities, contributing to Colorado’s cultural and historic heritage through its rail heritage and agricultural traditions.