El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

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El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail

El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail is a trail and land area maintained by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The trail itself was the first Euro-American trading path that was used by Spanish settlers and originally extended from Mexico City to today's New Mexico. Today, besides hiking this historic trail, you can also enjoy exploring the surrounding government-owned land and the on-site museums and outdoor exhibits that show the culture of the American Southwest.

National Parks nearby this historic trail include Great Sand Dunes National Park and Mesa Verde National Park of Colorado. The nearest city to the trail is Santa Fe, New Mexico's capital city, a wonderful place to make a pit stop for a day or two of shopping and sightseeing. Santa Fe is especially known for its Pueblo architecture buildings and the creative arts.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail

Perhaps the most famous trail of the Southwest is the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Trail itself, which extends approximately 400 miles through New Mexico and Texas at full length. Of course, visitors to the trail do not need to trek the intense full length in order to enjoy the historical artifacts found along the route. In fact, some interesting stops along the route lie near the beginning of the trail in Santa Fe, like La Bajada Mesa and El Rancho de las Golondrinas.

Length: 400 miles

Intensity: Difficult

La Tierra Loop Trail

This trail is popular with bikers and even has a bike jumping area along the trail. The trail itself varies in elevation and features fields of wildflowers among desert terrain.

Length: 10.5 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Spur Trail

Spur Trail is a flat, easy hiking and biking trail that follows a dirt path through the desert landscape. The trail itself connects to another paved trail that leads to the Santa Fe Community College.

Length: 3 miles

Intensity: Easy

Wildlife Viewing

Deer have been known to graze in the wildflower beds along this trail and its surrounding areas. Elk, sheep, and even turkeys are commonly spotted as well. Visitors to this trail should come prepared with cameras for photographing opportunities among the scenic mountains and hills.

Picnicking

There are no picnic or shelter areas along the route of this National Historic Trail, but there are some seating areas at historic stops along the trail where you may enjoy a picnic. For example, the Kuaua Ruins located along the trail include a display of historic ruins, a museum and visitor center, and picnic tables.

Hunting

Hunting is permitted on the BLM-owned land around the National Historic Trail, and animals like mule deer, elk, turkey, black bear, mountain lion, and bighorn sheep are common game species. There are also smaller animals, like rabbits, and lots of birds available to hunt as well.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

If you'd like to camp near the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail with full hookups, check out the Santa Fe KOA Journey, a campground with electricity, water, and free Wi-Fi for RV guests. Another good RV camping option to consider is Rancheros De Santa Fe Campground, which has similar amenities like hookups and Wi-Fi. You may also consider the Santa Fe Skies RV Park, an RV campground with full hookups as well as paved campsites with decks, picnic areas, and metal art scattered around the grounds.

Free Camping

You may enjoy free camping opportunities on the BLM-owned El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail land. If you'd like, you may camp in your RV on the flat parts of the land, but keep in mind that there will likely be many visitors to the trail itself, so you're more likely to enjoy a private stay farther away from the trail. It should also be noted that this land only offers primitive camping options, so you will need to bring your own water, batteries, and possibly an electrical generator.

RV Rentals Near El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail BLM trip

If you're planning on staying in your RV along this historic trail, be sure to bring lots of water and battery-operated devices. You'll also want to remember that camping in this area is dispersed, so you will need to find your own campsite on a clear, safe plot of ground that is at least 200 feet from any water source.

When you choose to camp on BLM-owned land, you're choosing to camp directly in the heart of the US's natural environment. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

Whether you're just walking the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail or staying a week in the area's wilderness, you'll need to follow the rules of the BLM's Leave No Trace policy. This policy states that all visitors are merely guests to the homes of native wildlife, and as a guest, you should respect the environment by picking up all of your trash, keeping your distance from the animals, and leaving anything you find on the land behind. You'll also want to be mindful of starting any campfires by watching them closely and keeping them in open spaces away from vegetation.

El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail Location

To reach El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail from Santa Fe, start on West Alameda Street for about 5 miles. Then exit onto South Meadow Road at a traffic circle nearby the Veterans Memorial Highway. Continue on for 1 mile, then turn right onto Agua Fria Street. After about 0.8 miles, the historic trail will be on the right.

Ready to visit El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.