Quick Tips
- Trinidad History Museum
- Santa Fe Trail Museum
- The Baca-Bloom Heritage Gardens
- Trinidad lake State Park - recreational area
- Capulin Volcano National Monument = east of Raton
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 120"-140" | 140"+ |
| Elk | 280"-320" | 320"+ |
| Antelope | 70"-75" | 75"+ |
On The Ground
Southeast of Trinidad and northeast of Raton elk like high mesas and canyons, antelope are out on the open flats, mule deer prefer ridges and foothills and whitetails stay along creek bottoms.
Trophy class bucks and bulls are found on private ranches and public lands are only accessible by foot or horseback. Consider hiring an outfitter to access private ranches.
Terrain
Wide rolling prairie, arroyos, hills, and ridges change abruptly into long steep canyons and high broad mesas. Major drainages are Purgatoire River, San Francisco and Trinchera Creeks.
Roughly 459 square miles
3.8% public land
Elevations from 5,414-9,544 feet
Vegetation
Shortgrass prairie consisting of buffalo and blue grama, pinion/juniper, ponderosa pine, Gambels oak, groves of aspen with spruce and fir on north facing slopes.
Access
State land: Lake Dorothey 4,500 acres from Raton use New Mexico Highways 72 and 526 to County Road N up Sugarite Canon. Big Game hunting restricted to archery only. Deer and elk are present during the year. Access restricted to foot or horse back from designated parking areas. James M. John 8,200 acres is 4 miles northwest of Lake Dorothey. Access restricted to foot or horseback. Rifle hunting only for deer and elk. Open from April 2 to November 30.
Country and secondary roads become slick in wet weather
Four wheel drive vehicles recommend
Camping and Lodging
State land: Lake Dorothey camping only in designated areas 200 feet away for shoreline or 100 feet away from creeks. Raton and Trinidad are the closest towns that provide motels, restaurants, gas, diesel, groceries and medical facilities.
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