Santa Fe National Historic Trail

National Historic Trail · CO, KS, MO, NM, OK · nps.gov page

Warm light from the setting sun gives an orange glow to a rock bluff overlooking a grassland. — Visit Cimarron National Grassland to experience the Santa Fe Trail.Photo: NPS Photo

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!

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Photos

A wide river with green grass parks on the side. — The Neosho River in Council Grove was an important crossing on the trail.Photo: NPS Photo

emigrant wagons pulled by oxen and horses cross the prairie with people walking alongside — After spending weeks crossing hundreds of miles of lonely and desolate prairie, a trading post appeared: a welcome respite where travelers could repair their wagon and trade for coffee, sugar, blankets, and ammunition.Photo: NPS

desert landscape with a mountain that looks like a wagon from a distance, verdant green grasses — Wagon Mound was a landmark on the Santa Fe Trail. Coming from Raton, New Mexico, travelers looked for this wagon-like hill to know that they were close to Santa Fe. Leave Interstate 25 at the village of Wagon Mound in Mora County to find this landmark.Photo: NPS

A stone path leads into the distance next to adobe ruins. — The Santa Fe Trail traverses through Fort Union.Photo: NPS Photo

Park information and photos come from the National Park Service. This is not an official NPS site.