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Fort Union National Monument

Fort Union was established in 1851 by Lieutenant Colonel Edwin V. Sumner as a guardian and protector of the Santa Fe Trail. During it's forty-year history, three different forts were constructed close together. The third and final Fort Union was the largest in the American Southwest, and functioned as a military garrison, territorial arsenal, and military supply depot for the southwest. Today, visitors use a self-guided tour path to visit the second fort and the large, impressive ruins of the third Fort Union. The largest visible network of Santa Fe Trail ruts can be seen here.


Contact Information

P.O. Box 127
Watrous, NM 87753
(505) 425-8025 - Visitor Information


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Getting There

By Car
Travelers on Interstate 25, use exit 366. Follow the signs to Fort Union National Monument, eight miles off the interstate on New Mexico SR 161.

By Plane
No public transportation to Fort Union is available.

Weather

Sunny year-round with semi-arid conditions. July's average high is 85 degrees, low is 51 degrees. January's average high is 47 degrees, low is 16 degrees. Wear comfortable walking shoes.


Activities

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.
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  • Educational Programs
  • Hiking

Recommended Activities
During the summer living history talks and demonstrations are offered on weekends. Groups numbering ten or more, interested in a formal guided tour, may make advance reservations.

A 1.6 mile, self-guided interpretive trail enables visitors to tour the ruins.

Allow two hours for visit.


 

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Find Hiking and Biking Trails
If you like to go hiking or biking, then don't forget to get a map and guidebook. Trails.com offers a great service that allows unlimited downloads of trail guides for a small monthly fee. They even have a 14 day free trial. Whether you are looking for day hikes, backpacking trails, mountain bike routes or just short nature stroll, they cover it all. So let Trails.com help plan your next outing.
RV Information
Are you planning on traveling with your RV? If you are, you should check out the Good Sam Club. The Good Sam Club offers discounts on camping, a free magazine subscription and great tips on traveling with your RV. You can also get a free no-obligation RV Insurance quote . Give them a look and enjoy your trip.
Gear Up For Your Trip
Once you have finished deciding where to go, it will be time to gear up. A great place for adventure travel gear is The National Geographic Store. They have all types of maps and guides to help finalize your vacation plans.