Raton is located just south of Raton Pass on I-25 on the Colorado–New Mexico border. It has much historical significance. Captain William Becknell laid the path of the Santa Fe Trailthrough the pass on his second trip to Santa Fe. In 1846, during the Mexican–American War, Stephen W. Kearny and his troops passed through the pass en route to New Mexico. In 1865 it was developed into a toll road by Richens Lacey Wootton "Uncle Dick." He leased the land from Lucien Maxwell, owner of the Maxwell Land Grant, and obtained franchises from the territorial legislatures of Colorado and New Mexico to build a 27-mile toll road over Raton Pass in New Mexico. He charged $1.50 for a team and wagon; 25 cents for a horse and rider; a nickel a head for livestock; posses and Indians were free.

In February, 1878 construction crews of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad (AT&SF) and the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RG) narrow gauge confronted each other at Raton Pass for the right-of-way through New Mexico. The AT&SF men won the battle and continued on through the state to meet the Southern Pacific Railroad in Deming in 1881.

Another location near Raton is Sugarite Canyon State Park. It is located on the Colorado–New Mexico state line 6 miles northeast of Raton. It is good place to see the local wildlife (elk, deer, bear, mountain lion, turkey, and othere small game) as well as hiking, camping, picknicking, fishing and boating on Lake Maloya and Lake Alice.

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