El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail

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tan-colored pueblo Indian ruins with blue sky and three people
The Tiwa pueblo of Kuaua lies in ruin at Coronado Historic Site. The site includes a rebuilt kiva that displays reproductions of original murals adorning its walls. Be sure to go to the visitor center where some of the original murals are displayed.
adobe buildings including two beehive-looking ovens with people in a courtyard
El Rancho de las Golondrinas was a historic paraje (stopping place) along El Camino Real. “The ranch of the swallows” dates from the early 1700s, and is now being used as a living history museum.
shrubby desert scene with people walking under a cloud-filled sky
Walk in the footsteps of settlers from the 1600s who had to walk along this dreaded yet unavoidable section of El Camino Real: Jornada del Muerto or Dead Man’s Journey.
fort ruins in the sunlight with cottonwood trees on the left
Fort Selden was built near the town of Las Cruces in 1865 and housed troops for 25 years. The visitor center offers exhibits on frontier military life during the fort’s heyday and the grounds are self-guided.
large white chapel under blue sky
Spanish troops built a presidio (fort) and chapel at this site during the 1780s to protect settlements in the lower Río Grande Valley downstream from El Paso, Texas.
Photos: National Park Service

About El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail

Travel along El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail to experience and learn from a complicated legacy of 300 years of conflict, cooperation, and cultural exchange between a variety of empires—European and non-European alike.

Quick Facts

State New Mexico
Designation National Historic Trail
State Code NM,TX
Weather Due to the length of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail, be sure to consult local weather sources for the region you'll be visiting. Check out the…

Location & Map

El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail is located in New Mexico.

Operating Hours

El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail is not a clearly marked hiking trail. Instead it is a route that passes through communities, urban areas, public lands, and Wilderness. The route travels across a variety of land ownerships and management, including private land. Beyond the United States, the trail reaches Mexico City, Mexico. Each location varies as to the hours of operations and access. Please contact individual trail sites before your visit for more information.

Wednesday All Day
Monday All Day
Thursday All Day
Sunday All Day
Tuesday All Day
Friday All Day
Saturday All Day

Activities

Arts and Culture Theater Auto and ATV Scenic Driving Hiking Junior Ranger Program Museum Exhibits

Getting There

You can visit many sites along El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail over the 404-mile U.S. historic route (with thousands of additional miles in Mexico) that crosses New Mexico and Texas.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address National Trails Office Regions 6, 7, & 8, Santa Fe, NM, 87505
Phone N/A
Email ntir_information@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

Architecture and Building Archeology Arts Photography Colonization and Settlement Commerce Trade Explorers and Expeditions Forts Religion and Spirituality Missions Wars and Conflicts Mexican War Trails

Things To Do

Become a Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Junior Ranger

Become a Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Junior Ranger

Learn about El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail and earn your junior ranger badge! This activity can…

Junior Ranger activity can be completed virtually at home, or after visiting a site along El Camino Real de Tierra…

Hike on El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

Hike on El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

Travel along El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail to experience and learn from a complicated legacy of…

Hiking and walking opportunities will vary by location. Please check with the individual site for more information.

Visit Missions along El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

Visit Missions along El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

A visit to the missions along the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro will enrich your Trail experience. The mission…

Check Out Museums and Visitor Centers along El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

Check Out Museums and Visitor Centers along El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

There are a number of museums and visitor centers will differ along the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. In…

Visitor center and museum facilities, program offerings, and exhibits will vary by location. Please check with the individual site for…

Visit Historic Sites and Districts along El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

Visit Historic Sites and Districts along El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

Experiences visiting historic sites and districts really differ along the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. In some places, you…

Opportunities available will vary by location but might include: sightseeing, cultural demonstrations, dining, shopping, etc. Please check with the individual…

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