Major city · United States
LamarLamar, Colorado
Half a day to one night: see the Big Timbers Museum, walk the downtown, then move on. Not a base.
Lamar is a small Plains town (pop. 7,800) on US 50 and 287, a stop for the Amtrak Southwest Chief. Its main draw is the Big Timbers Museum and a quiet downtown. Most travellers use it as a break between Pueblo and Kansas or Denver and Amarillo.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat), Dec–Feb (cold, snow possible)
- Airports
- PUB · DEN
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Lamar911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Lamar Police Department (non-emergency)719-336-4341
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Lamar, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLamar is a low-crime small town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 719-336-4341 Lamar Police Department (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPUB Pueblo Memorial Airport (About 1 h 45 min drive west; limited flights from Denver.).
- Getting aroundCar is essential; Lamar is spread out.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- BeerBeer (domestic, bar)$4–6
- Museum or sight ticketBig Timbers Museum entry$5–8 (check)
- Budget bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$90
- High-end bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$130 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PUB Pueblo Memorial Airport (About 1 h 45 min drive west; limited flights from Denver.) · DEN Denver International Airport (About 3 h drive northwest; the main regional gateway.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C) low), wettest May (8 rain days), driest Jan (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lamar: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
3 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
3 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
5 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
6 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Jul
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
4 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
3 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is essential; Lamar is spread out. The downtown is walkable for a few blocks. No local bus service.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
La Junta
goDoor to door: About 40 min
US 50 west, about 40 min
Bent's Old Fort and the Koshare Indian Museum.
Door to door: About 1 h 45 min
US 50 west, about 1 h 45 min
Riverwalk, Pueblo Zoo, and the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
US 385 north, about 1 h 15 min
Old Town Burlington and the Kit Carson County Carousel.
Limon, Colorado
goDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
US 287 north, about 1 h 30 min
Gateway to the Eastern Plains; the Limon Heritage Museum.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / US 50 corridor
Motels and a few inns along the highway; walkable to the museum and diners.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range motel room1 × 1 night × US$130 | US$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Gas (round trip from Denver, about 600 km)1 × US$60 · check | US$60 |
| Amtrak coach seat, one way (Denver–Lamar)2 × US$45 · check | US$90 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$54 |
| Trip total≈ US$297 per person per day, bed included | US$594 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Burger and fries at a diner | $10–15 |
| Beer (domestic, bar) | $4–6 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3.50–4.50 (check) |
| Big Timbers Museum entry | $5–8 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Amtrak Southwest Chief runs once daily each direction; check the schedule — it stops at Lamar around 2:00 AM eastbound and 4:00 AM westbound (check).Amtrak Southwest Chief runs once daily each direction; check the schedule — it stops at Lamar around 2:00 AM AM eastbound and 4:00 AM AM westbound (check).
- Summer temperatures can exceed 38°C (100°F); carry water.Summer temperatures can exceed 100°F (38°C); carry water.
- Many businesses close early or on Sundays; plan meals ahead.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Lamar Police Department (non-emergency)
- 719-336-4341
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
LamarLamar, Colorado
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Lamar Police (non-emergency)719-336-4341
Embassy
Embassies are in Washington, DC; consulates in Denver (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Amtrak Southwest Chief, Denver–Lamar: about $45–60 coach, about 4 h (check)
- Gas station to downtown: about 2 km (1.2 mi); walk or driveabout 1.2 mi (2 km); walk or drive
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much is that? — How much is that? (how much is that)
- Where is the museum? — Where is the museum? (where is the museum)
Lamar is a small town; most services are basic.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Lamar. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat), Dec–Feb (cold, snow possible) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Big Timbers Museum, Lamar Community Building, and the Amtrak station with verified hours and schedules.
- Eat pages for the diners and barbecue spots with last-order times.
- Sleep pages for the motels along US 50.
Sources
Ask about Lamar
Loading…
Was this useful?