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.

Getting to the Byway:

Albuquerque, NM
Take I-25 north to Santa Fe. In Santa Fe, the byway begins on I-25 heading southeast toward Las Vegas, NM.

Denver, CO
* Take I-25 south toward Pueblo. * In Pueblo merge onto US-50 east. * Follow US-50 until La Junta where you will join the byway.

Santa Fe, NM
* In Santa Fe, the byway begins on I-25 heading southeast toward Las Vegas, NM.

Navigating the Byway:
#Colorado Section * The Colorado section of the Santa Fe Trail starts at the state line of Colorado and Kansas on US 50. * Drive west on US 50 to Goff Ave in Granada, CO. * Continue west on Goff Ave to Main St. in Lamar, CO, then continue north to US 50. * Continue west on US 50 to Bent Ave. * Drive south to Ambassador Thompson Blvd, then head west to E. 1st Dr. * Make your way west to Barnes Ave, then south to W. 5th St. * Continue west to Potter Dr. and then southwest to John F. Kennedy Memorial Hwy. * Drive south on John F. Kennedy Memorial Hwy to the state line of Colorado and New Mexico, where the Colorado section ends. #New Mexico Section ###CO/NM Border to Springer, NM### * The New Mexico section of the Santa Fe Trail begins on I-25 at the New Mexico state line. * Take I-25 south to Raton. * In Raton, continue following I-25 south. * Merge onto US-64 west. * Follow US-64 south to Cimarron. * In Cimarron, US-64 turns into Kit Carson Hwy and 10th St. * Turn left onto NM-21 and go to Springer, where the byway branches south and east. ###Springer, NM to NM/OK Border### * Take US-56 east to the junction with NM-453. * Take NM-453 north to Grenville. * In Grenville turn east onto US-64 and travel to Clayton. * In Clayton get onto US-56 for a short journey east to the junction with NM-406. * Turn north on NM-406 and follow the road to the NM-OK border. ###Springer, NM to Santa Fe, NM### * Start in Springer at the junction of NM-21 and Maxwell Ave. * Travel south along Maxwell Ave. and take on-ramp to I-25. * Continue traveling south on I-25 through Wagon Mound. * Travel southwest on I-25 and exit onto NM-161. * Travel northwest on NM-161 to the Fort Union National Monument. * Return to I-25 and travel southwest. * Exit onto NM-161 and travel northwest through Golondrinas, past Riner Lake. * At the junction with NM-518, the byway branches north and south. * Travel north on NM-518 to La Cueva. * Return south on NM-518 to the junction with NM-161 and continue south on NM-518 to Las Vegas. * From there, get on US-85 and go through Romerville, Tecolote, and Bernal. * In Bernal, continue on US-85 to Rowe. * At Rowe, exit onto NM-63 and go to Pecos. * In Pecos, take NM-50 west and merge with US-85. * Continue on US-85 and take off-ramp to US 285. * Exit onto NM 300/Old Las Vegas Hwy. * Travel northwest on Old Las Vegas Hwy to Co Rd 67C. * Continue northeast and take a left onto Old Santa Fe Trail. * Continue north on Old Santa Fe Trail until the junction with E Alameda St. in Santa Fe where the byway ends.