Added to the National Trails System in October 2000, El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (Royal Road of the Interior) National Historic Trail recognizes the primary route between the colonial Spanish capital of Mexico City and the Spanish provincial capitals at San Juan de Los Caballeros (1598-1600); San Gabriel (1600-1609); and Santa Fe (1610-1821). The national historic trail extends 404 miles from El Paso, Texas, to San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico.

The Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service are charged with joint planning and administration of the trail. A Comprehensive Management Plan/ Final Environmental Impact Statement for the trail was completed in April 2004, followed by a Record of Decision in September 2004.

To learn more about BLM administration of the trail, visit their website at:

http://www.blm.gov/heritage/adventures/menu/featured_site_nm.html

The National Historic Trails System, established by the National Trails System Act of 1968, commemorates historic routes and promotes their preservation, and development for public use. National Historic Trails recognize diverse facets of history such as prominent past routes of exploration, migration, trade, communication and military action. The historic trails generally consist of remnant sites and trail segments, and thus are not necessarily contiguous. Although National Historic Trails are administered by federal agencies, land ownership may be in public or private hands.

Of the 18 National Historic Trails, 14 are administered by the National Park Service, one by the USDA Forest Service, one by the Bureau of Land Management, and two jointly by the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management.

Learn more about the National Trails System, including National Historic, Scenic, and Recreation Trails. View the National Trails System map.