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Get InspiredNorth AmericaUnited StatesNew MexicoSanta FeOld Spanish National Historic Trail

Old Spanish National Historic Trail

US
Historic Trail·Rugged, Historic, Expansive
Santa Rosa de Lima de Abiquiú provided a way station for travelers along the Old Spanish Trail in the 1800s. It is privately owned by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.
Photo by from Nps
This section of the Rio Chama River, tributary of the Rio Grande, is located about six miles north of Abiquiú, New Mexico and flows through the Carson National Forest.
Photo by from Nps
Sierra Blanca is a prominent mountain in the Sangre de Cristo Range along San Luis Valley on Highway 17. Locating landmarks were essential to traveling the Old Spanish Trail.
Photo by from Nps
The San Rafael Swell is a huge craggy geologic feature (an anticline), about 75 miles by 40 miles, located in south-central Utah approximately 30 miles west of Green River.
Photo by from Nps
This section of the Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area is off Interstate 15 about 20 miles southwest of St. George, Utah and about 20 miles northeast of Mesquite, Nevada
Photo by from Nps
Santa Rosa de Lima de Abiquiú provided a way station for travelers along the Old Spanish Trail in the 1800s. It is privately owned by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.
Photo by from Nps
This section of the Rio Chama River, tributary of the Rio Grande, is located about six miles north of Abiquiú, New Mexico and flows through the Carson National Forest.
Photo by from Nps
Sierra Blanca is a prominent mountain in the Sangre de Cristo Range along San Luis Valley on Highway 17. Locating landmarks were essential to traveling the Old Spanish Trail.
Photo by from Nps
The San Rafael Swell is a huge craggy geologic feature (an anticline), about 75 miles by 40 miles, located in south-central Utah approximately 30 miles west of Green River.
Photo by from Nps
This section of the Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area is off Interstate 15 about 20 miles southwest of St. George, Utah and about 20 miles northeast of Mesquite, Nevada
Photo by from Nps
This trail segment is 5.25 miles, and is part of the Old Spanish Trail/Mormon Road Historic District, outside Blue Diamond, Clark County, Nevada.
Photo by from Nps
Old Spanish Trail travelers used this section of the historic Mojave Road is within Mojave National Preserve.
Photo by from Nps

The Old Spanish National Historic Trail preserves the legacy of the arduous trade route used by mule pack trains in the early 1800s. Starting in Santa Fe, the trail traverses six states, including Colorado, Utah, and California, marking a vital period of cultural and commercial exchange. Rather than a single continuous path, the trail is comprised of various segments and historic landmarks where visitors can experience the same vast, untamed environments encountered by New Mexican traders. Managed by the National Park Service, it serves as a living museum for those interested in the development of the American frontier and the challenging journeys of the past.

The Old Spanish National Historic Trail preserves the legacy of the arduous trade route used by mule pack trains in the early 1800s. Starting in Santa Fe, the trail traverses six states, including Colorado, Utah, and California, marking a vital period of cultural and commercial exchange. Rather than a single continuous path, the trail is comprised of various segments and historic landmarks where visitors can experience the same vast, untamed environments encountered by New Mexican traders. Managed by the National Park Service, it serves as a living museum for those interested in the development of the American frontier and the challenging journeys of the past.

Address
National Trails Office Regions 6, 7, & 8
Websitenps.gov
PhoneN/A

Highlights

  • Commemorates the 19th-century mule pack trade route.

  • Managed by the National Park Service across six states.

  • Features diverse landscapes from New Mexico to California.

  • Offers a glimpse into the commercial heritage of the American West.

Before you go: Old Spanish National Historic Trail essentials

  • The trail is not a single continuous path but a series of segments and landmarks.

  • Spans six states, requiring careful planning for specific site visits.

  • Managed by the National Park Service; check official resources for accessibility.

Best For

History buffs and outdoor enthusiasts interested in the American frontier.

Occasion Tags

Tourists, History Lovers

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Location

Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States
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