Discover Last Chance

Last Chance combines the history of an important transportation route with a landscape where observing nature along designated driving routes plays a role of its own. Anyone looking for a lesser-known place in Colorado for their vacation will find specific points of interest here: the Plum Bush Creek Bridge nearby, U.S. Highway 36, the Greater Prairie-Chicken Trail, and a small city park at a prominent intersection.

A Place Shaped by the History of U.S. Highway 36

The Plum Bush Creek Bridge is located on U.S. Highway 36 at milepost 138.16 near Last Chance. The bridge is connected with the development of U.S. Highway 36 as an important tourist and commercial route. This route connects Denver and Colorado’s Eastern Plains with communities in Kansas and the Midwest. As a result, the area around Last Chance has a clear connection to the history of travel across the Great Plains.

For your vacation planning, this historical connection can be a focus in its own right. Instead of simply looking for the best-known attraction possible, you can discover how transportation routes shaped the development of places here. The bridge serves as a specific point of reference, while the highway reveals the broader connection between Colorado and the Midwest.

Nature Observation Along Designated Driving Routes

Last Chance is listed in the Eastern Plains section of the Greater Prairie-Chicken Trail, part of the Colorado Birding Trail. The routes on this trail connect wildlife observation sites via designated driving routes. This opens up a different way to plan your visit: You can make nature observation your main interest and organize your days around the individual driving routes without limiting your vacation to just one type of destination.

This perspective is particularly suitable for travelers who enjoy observing, comparing, and collecting photographic impressions together. At the same time, the planning remains open to different interests. While some members of your travel group may be more interested in the landscape and wildlife, others can focus on the history of the highway or the development of Last Chance.

Orientation at the Intersection

A rest area is located at the southwest corner of the intersection of U.S. Highway 36 and CO 71 in Last Chance; a small city park lies in the background. This spot helps with local orientation and illustrates the connection between the two roads. For a road trip, the intersection is therefore an easily understandable part of the town’s history and present-day character.

Putting Last Chance in Context as a Vacation Destination

Last Chance was founded in 1925 at the intersection of State Road 102, now U.S. Highway 36, and State Road 71, now Highway 71. A dairy, a store, and a gas station opened as early as 1926. These early establishments tell the story of a place closely connected with supplies and travel.

When looking for a vacation rental or vacation home, you should therefore first consider what kind of trip matters to you: Do you want to trace the history of a transportation route, incorporate nature observation into your days, or combine both?

An Unusual Place Name

The name Last Chance is said to stem from the fact that the place once offered travelers the only opportunity for many miles in every direction to obtain fuel and supplies. This explanation is part of the town’s historical identity and fits its development along important roads. Together with the bridge, the highway, and the early businesses, it creates a distinctive picture: Last Chance stands for travel history, provisions, and the vastness of the Eastern Plains.

To the overarching travel overview: Washington County.