Santa Fe Trail

States: Colorado and New Mexico
Length: 565.0 mi / 909.3 km
Time to Allow: 12 hours to drive the entire byway

One of America's first great trade routes, the Santa Fe Trail was critical to our country's westward expansion. Visit historic sites and landmarks like Bent's Fort, Trinidad, Raton Pass, Cimarron, Fort Union, Pecos, Point of Rocks, and Santa Fe. Enjoy spectacular scenery, from rugged mountains to the plains.

come CLOSER
to Experience...

  • Santa Fe Trail Overview

    Explore the rich legacy of western expansion in Colorado and New Mexico on the Santa Fe Trail. This route transported many people across the West,...

  • History on Colorado’s Santa Fe Trail

    Experience the Old West as you have never done before by taking a trip along the Santa Fe Trail in Colorado. Your car will become a time machine as...

See all 4 Stories for Santa Fe Trail

come CLOSER
to Enjoy the Ride...

  • 1-Day Trip: Santa Fe Trail Historical Tour
    (Colorado)

    This tour begins at Bent's Old Fort and follows the trail westward towards Trinidad. Let history and adventure unfold as you explore the Santa Fe...

  • 3-Day Trip: Santa Fe Trail Tour
    (New Mexico)

    The Santa Fe Tour begins in Santa Fe, New Mexico and heads east over to Clayton, near the borders of Texas and Oklahoma. With a little back...

See all 2 Road Trips for Santa Fe Trail

The following byways are part of the designated byway Santa Fe Trail: