Santa Fe National Historic Trail

Things To Do Near Santa Fe National Historic Trail

The premier activity along the Santa Fe National Historic Trail is hiking. You will want to stop and explore historic sites, such as the Boone's Lick State Historic Site, Fort Union National Monument, and Pecos National Historical Park, along its route. Additionally, museums along the trail help you understand the trail’s history better. 

Hiking Trails

• Picture Canyon Trial 

  The Arch Rock Trail is in Picture Canyon in Comanche National Grassland. See pictographs, a crack cave, and an old homestead along this route. Unique rock formations surround this path and it is especially a great place to go hiking in the spring when the wildflowers are blooming. 

  Location

  Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Forest Service Road 2361, Springfield, Colorado 81073 

  Length

  2.6 miles 

  Intensity

  Moderate 

• Hermit Peak Trail 

  The Hermit Peak Trail is in the Pecos Wilderness near Las Vegas, New Mexico. This trail, named after an Italian priest who lived as a hermit on the mountain, is very steep, especially at the beginning. After crossing numerous switchbacks, it flattens out until you reach the summit, and the stunning view from the top is worth the effort. 

  Location

  Pecos Wilderness, Santa Fe National Forest, Las Vegas, New Mexico 87701 

  Length

  9.5 miles 

  Intensity

  Moderate 

• Black Mesa Trail 

  The Black Mesa Trail in Black Mesa State Park and Nature Preserve is relatively flat, except for the very end, where you reach the highest elevation in Oklahoma. After you get to the summit, continue a little way to see great views of the mesa. 

  Location

  Black Mesa State Park and Nature Preserve, Oklahoma 325, Kenton, Oklahoma 73946 

  Length

  8.5 miles 

  Intensity

  Moderate 

Sightseeing

• Boone's Lick State Historic Site

  Sons of Daniel Boone operated a salt mining operation at this location. They hauled the salt to St. Louis to sell it. In 1821, this spot became the starting point for the Santa Fe Trail. You can see remains of the original salt works. 

  Location

  Missouri 187, Franklin, Missouri 65250

• Boggsville Historic Site 

  See historic homes and farming outbuildings that are great examples of territorial architecture at the Boggsville Historic Site near Las Animas, Colorado. This site on the Santa Fe Trail played a prominent role in cattle farming in Colorado. This community was Kit Carson’s last home before his death. 

  Location

  State Highway 101, Las Animas, Colorado 81054 

Museums

• Santa Fe Trail Museum & Library 

  Explore the area's history where the Santa Fe Trail ran across Central Kansas by visiting the Santa Fe Trail Museum & Library. View prehistoric Indian artifacts. Then, see trade items from the trail, antique furniture, agricultural equipment, vintage automobiles, tools, toys, paintings, rugs, clothing, and medical equipment from the time when the route was vital. Finally, look over vintage transportation that made the trail obsolete. 

  Location

  1349 Kansas 156, Larned, Kansas 67550 

• Herzstein Memorial Museum 

  You will love seeing the stained-glass windows at the Herzstein Memorial Museum in Clayton, New Mexico. Once inside, you can see a vast variety of exhibits, including ones on dinosaurs, the Santa Fe Trail, early professions, and Native American art. Numerous photographs are available for viewing. Get a better understanding of the 1930s Dust Bowl and learn how this community played a prominent role in capturing train-robber Black Jack Ketchum. 

  Location

  2 South 2nd Street, Clayton, New Mexico 88415 

• Santa Fe Trail Museum 

  The Santa Fe Trail Museum is in the first courthouse in Colfax County, New Mexico. The courthouse is a beautiful example of the Second Territorial style, and antiques from that period fill it. 

  Location

  614 Maxwell Avenue, Springer, New Mexico 87747 

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Santa Fe Vintage Outpost 

  Select from a collection of vintage menswear at Santa Fe Vintage Outpost. You can also find terrific designer accessories at this location. 

  Location

  7501 Avenger Way, Suite C, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507 

• Lucchese Bootmaker Company

  Find luxury boots for men and women made in El Paso, Texas, at Lucchese Bootmaker Company. They also sell some clothing. 

  Location

  57 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 

• Santa Fe Trail Café 

  Get great Southern entrees, like hamburger steak served with macaroni and cheese, at Santa Fe Trail Café. They also served outstanding hamburgers and pulled pork sandwiches. 

  Location

  21 Poplar Street, Clayton, New Mexico 88415 

• Pecos Trail Café 

  Select from a wide-ranging menu at Pecos Trail Café in Santa Fe, where the chile relleno and the enchiladas are exceptional. You can also find ribs and other options. 

  Location

  2239 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505

How To Get To Santa Fe National Historic Trail

The Santa Fe National Historic Trail is headquartered at the National Park Service’s Regions 6, 7, and 8 headquarters in Santa Fe. This is a great place to learn more about visiting the trail. You can quickly get to this location from Santa Fe Plaza by heading south on Lincoln Avenue and turning left on East San Francisco Street. Turn right on Cathedral Place and left on East Alameda Street. Turn right on Paseo De Peralta and left on Acequia Madre. Turn right on Garcia Street and right on Camino Corrales. Turn left on Old Santa Fe Trail, and the office will be on your right. 

Address

1100 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87505

Fee: Entry fee $0

The Santa Fe National Historic Trail was an essential trade trail leading from Missouri to Santa Fe during the mid- and late 1800s. Many choose to drive along this trail on a four-day journey while stopping to eat, see the attractions, and go on hiking adventures along the way. Consider starting in Independence, Missouri, and traveling to Abilene, Kansas, on your first day. Then, venture on to Dodge City, Kansas, on your second day and Pueblo, Colorado, on the third day before ending your journey in Santa Fe. With many miles to cover, it is essential to have a reliable RV with comfortable beds as it will make the trip much more enjoyable.