Art Cartopia Museum

Tourist attraction · Trinidad

Art Cartopia Museum

Tourist attraction · Trinidad

1

2702 Freedom Rd, Trinidad, CO 81082

Photos

Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by Collector of Experiences (Atlas Obscura User)
Art Cartopia Museum by Collector of Experiences (Atlas Obscura User)
Art Cartopia Museum by rodneywood51 (Atlas Obscura User)
Art Cartopia Museum by rodneywood51 (Atlas Obscura User)
Art Cartopia Museum by krystalklear87 (Atlas Obscura User)
Art Cartopia Museum by rodneywood51 (Atlas Obscura User)
Art Cartopia Museum by Collector of Experiences (Atlas Obscura User)
Art Cartopia Museum by rodneywood51 (Atlas Obscura User)
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null
Art Cartopia Museum by null

Highlights

Museum showcasing 30+ unique art cars made from bizarre items  

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2702 Freedom Rd, Trinidad, CO 81082 Get directions

artcartopia.com

Information

Static Map

2702 Freedom Rd, Trinidad, CO 81082 Get directions

+1 719 846 3473
artcartopia.com
artcartopia

Features

wheelchair accessible parking lot
wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Sep 2, 2025

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15 Quirky Places to Visit on Your Next Colorado Family Road Trip

"While driving in Colorado, near exit 15 off of I-25, you may spot something utterly odd off the side of the road. You can’t help but gape at the giant red gorilla holding a car over its head, or the vehicle showing a large skeleton driving a jet, or the van covered in eyeballs. Welcome to the Art Cartopia Museum. Here, sideshow banners and an incredible sculpture made of Volkswagen parts loom above curious visitors as they explore the museum’s exterior. Off to the side, you’ll find an old truck covered with old toys and figures. Opened the door, and you’ll be met by an explosion of color and curious “stuff” everywhere as you enter a large showroom filled with an astounding array of gloriously wacky embellished vehicles. There, you’ll see a fire-breathing dragon parked next to the “Stink Bug,” a VW covered with cigarette butts that had been collected as litter. To the right is an Isuzu Trooper completely covered with glass. The guides—they’re called “Splainers”—are informative, quirky, and entertaining. To add to the wildly enhanced, artfully kooky conveyances, there’s vehicle-based art on every wall and hanging from the ceiling." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/15-quirky-places-to-visit-on-your-next-colorado-family-road-trip
View Postcard for Art Cartopia Museum

Kristen Brooke

Google
Such a cool place! And love the people that work there. They take time to educate you on their fun cars and where they came from. Worth the trip for sure. I'm so glad we stopped as we drove by and wondered what this place was.

Life Rocks

Google
Very friendly lady gave us a tour of the museum, and told us about all the cars, events, and artists. It was a nice stop during our stay in Trinidad. So much detail and work into all the art cars, and some with some very clever themes! They let us take pictures and they also have a little gift shop if you want to get a souvenir.

Shannon

Google
Yesterday's final walking stop was the highlight of the day and beyond. Hosting the 2nd largest art car/parade in the country, people come from all over to participate, or like us, stop through to take a look. Walking in, we were immediately greeted and then given a full tour of the entire space - Paul was so cool and passionate about the space and the cars in it, we were immediately taken in. Makes sense, as he originally got involved so that he could drive the Jimi Hendrix car in the parade. Just outstanding. As for the cars themselves, they were such intricate pieces in their own right: discarded cigarette butts, CDs, scrap metal, jewels, watches, doorknobs, you name it, it was probably on one of them. Several actually shoot flames in the parade. Last but not least, Paul was an incredible docent - his passion for sharing the spectacularly weird cars with us was infectious, and we were swept along into the incredibly creative and astounding story that is Art Cartopia. 🤩

Carsten Baumann

Google
Definitely worth a stop! We spotted the place as we sped past on southbound I25. On our trip north we thought we'd take a look after eating a very late lunch in Trinidad. However, according to the Google listing, we only had 10 minutes before closing. As we looked at the outside displays, one of the staff came outside to invite us in. "That would be too linear," was his response when we said that they were listed as closing in 10 minutes. That response captured the content of the museum as well, plus exemplified how friendly he and the other staff were. No two art cars are alike and there are great stories of the how and who of making them. Don't get me started on the punny names...just visit. And it is free, but certainly worth a donation.

Kathryn Quinn

Google
So, I wasn't super psyched about this place cause I'm not much of a "car person." But, that's because I was ignoring the whole ART part in the *name* of the ART Cartopia Museum. The very helpful staff member explained to us how the cars came together AND turned on some of the lit cars so we could see their lighting effects. We ended up spending probably 40 minutes here- and would have stayed longer if they weren't closing for the day. There are so many intricate details in the different art cars. The artistry is stunning and impressive. If you like art, go. If you like cars, go. If you like repurposed materials, go. If you like kitch, go. If you like... ya know what?! JUST GO!

Run-A-Way Bill

Google
Trinidad, Colorado —- I spotted a bit of “quirky” while traveling along US Route 160. I went to investigate and discovered it was the “Art CARtopia Museum”. Dozens of “Art-Cars” gave me more smiles than I could have imagined. “Rodney” who built the “Eye” car, gave me a one-on-one tour of the indoor works-of-art. The dragon from Burning Man, the VW bug of cigarette butts, the CARti-Gras car, and a dozen more and their histories await patiently the next ART-Car Parade. A “Run-A-Way Bill” Favorite discovery gave me “more smiles than I came in with”. “Run-A-Way Bill” was here! 02. 03.21

Gerald Richerson

Google
What a crazy collection of automobile art, and it is art. Linda was the best she provided me with a personal tour and told about each piece and the artist who did the work. You shouldn't miss this it is well worth the time.

Crystal Garza

Google
We found this place while traveling into Colorado Springs. I’m so glad we did. It is an awesome museum to visit and the employees give you a guided tour and fun facts about all the Awesome cars there! a must see if you are In the area!
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RunAway B.

Yelp
Trinidad, Colorado --- I spotted a bit of "quirky" while traveling along US Route 160. I went to investigate and discovered it was the "Art CARtopia Museum". Dozens of "Art-Cars" gave me more smiles than I could have imagined. "Rodney" who built the "Eye" car, gave me a one-on-one tour of the indoor works-of-art. The dragon from Burning Man, the VW bug of cigarette butts, the CARti-Gras car, and a dozen more and their histories await patiently the next ART-Car Parade. A "Run-A-Way Bill" Favorite discovery gave me "more smiles than I came in with". "Run-A-Way Bill" was here! 02. 03.21
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Savannah W.

Yelp
I went on a rode trip to new mexico with my family and we decided to stop to visit. We walked in (free admission) and got to see amazing cars and met a very nice man that was working there.
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Anita B.

Yelp
This is a must see in Trinidad. No admission is charged ...five dollar donation is suggested and it's so much fun.
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Erin A.

Yelp
Excellent spot to stop and stretch while viewing their interesting creations! An artistic collaboration of bizarre knickknacks!
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Pat P.

Yelp
What an amazing experience ! An unexpected treat what I found inside and out must be 30-40 art cars. Very hard to describe you gotta se3 this place yo believe it. Very friendly tour guides they call themselves splainers. Photo ops out the wazoo a dragon cars covered in beads and jewels,.... cigarette butts of .... one completely cover in teeth LOL.... AND GET THIS FREE ADMISSION.
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J M.

Yelp
Incredible collection of art cars right on I-25. The space also is a working studio for "cartists" with tons of materials in their maker space. They host the nation's 2nd largest art car parade each year and are shooting to become #1.