Santa Fe National Historic Trail

Between 1821 and 1880, the Santa Fe Trail was primarily a commercial highway connecting Missouri and Santa Fe, New Mexico. From 1821 until 1846, it was an international commercial highway used by Mexican and American traders. In 1846, the Mexican-American War began. The Army of the West followed the Santa Fe Trail to invade New Mexico. When the Treaty of Guadalupe ended the war in 1848, the Santa Fe Trail became a national road connecting the United States to the new southwest territories. Commercial freighting along the trail continued, including considerable military freight hauling to supply the southwestern forts. The trail was also used by stage coach lines, thousands of gold seekers heading to the California and Colorado gold fields, adventurers, fur trappers, and some emigrants. In 1880 the railroad reached Santa Fe and the trail faded into history.

The Santa Fe National Historic Trail is administered by the National Park Service in partnership with other federal, state, and local agencies, non-profit organizations, and private landowners.

Long Distance Trails Group Office-Santa Fe
P.O. Box 728
Santa Fe, NM 87504-0728
(505) 988-6888 - Visitor Information

By Plane
A number of airports, both large and small, are found along the trail including Kansas City, Jefferson City, and St. Louis, Missouri; Wichita,and Topeka, Dodge City, Great Bend, and Garden City, Kansas; Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico; Denver, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo, Colorado.

By Car
Most trail sites are accessible only by car, bicycle, or on foot. Some sites are accessible only by unpaved roads.

By Plane
Commercial bus service is available to many cities and towns along the trail

Getting Around
An auto tour route has been marked along major highways that closely follow the original trail route. Follow the signs with the distinctive orange and maroon Santa Fe National Historic Trail logo. Use guidebooks, ask locally, or check the Expanded website for directions to individual trail sites.

Summers in Missouri and Kansas tend to be hot and humid. Colorado, Oklahoma, and New Mexico are hot and dry in the summer. Winters are variable and can be somewhat mild although cold and windy conditions with heavy snow are possible. Many trail sites are undeveloped and lack protection from sun, wind, rain, snow, etc. Dress warmly in winter. Beware of sun exposure in summer. Watch for lightning during storms.

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.

• Auto Touring
• Educational Programs
• Hiking

Recommended Activities
Numerous programs and activities are available at developed sites and in communities along the trail. Contact individual sites and tourism information centers for more information.

Many trail sites are on private property, and not all are open to the public. Some may be open only at certain times. If in doubt, get permission before entering private land. Please respect the property and privacy of the owners.

For children, an educational activity book called Adventures with the Santa Fe Trail by Dave Webb is available from the Kansas Heritage Center, P.O. Box 1275, Dodge City, Kansas 67801-1275.