About Santa Fe National Historic Trail
You can almost hear the whoops and cries of "All's set!" as trail hands hitched their oxen to freight wagons carrying cargo between western Missouri and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Follow the Santa Fe National Historic Trail through five states and you'll find adventure and evidence of past travelers who made this remarkable trip before you!
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
Due to the length of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail, be sure to consult local weather sources for the region you'll be visiting. Check out the forecast with the National Weather Service and search for the area you'd like to visit: weather.gov
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Operating Hours
There are many places of history and commemoration on the Santa Fe National Historic Trail to visit. Museums, interpretive centers, and historic sites provide information and interpretation. Please contact each site before you go to obtain current information on closures, changes in hours, and fees.
Activities
Getting There
You can visit many sites of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail over the 900-mile historic route that crosses five states.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Trail to History
The entrance to the reconstructed fort is gained from the one-quarter mile paved pathway extending from the shade shelter to…
Become a Santa Fe Trail Junior Ranger
Learn about the Santa Fe Trail and earn your junior ranger badge! This activity can be completed virtually or after…
Hike on the Santa Fe Trail
Travel the trail today and you can almost hear the whoops and cries of "All's set!" as trail hands hitched…
View Landmarks along the Santa Fe Trail
There has been a lot of change since the mid 1800's. Landmarks are an opportunity to view the trail similar…
View Santa Fe Trail Ruts
Imagine Prairie Schooners rumbling over the landscape, 10 feet tall and 23 feet long (with yoke). Imagine further that today…
Check Out Museums and Visitor Centers along the Santa Fe Trail
There are a number of museums and visitor centers will differ along the Santa Fe Trail. In some places, you…
More Things to Do
Additional activities and experiences from the National Park Service.
Visit Historic Sites on the Santa Fe Trail
Visiting historic sites along the Trail will give you an opportunity to step back in time. Explore adobe ruins, historic military forts,…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.