El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail was added to the National Trails System by act of Congress in 2004. This nationally significant trail crosses Texas into northwest Louisiana. This is a portion of the historic trail that linked Mexico City with the Spanish colonial capital at Los Adaes (now in Louisiana).

Planning for trail administration is underway. The National Park Service will develop a Comprehensive Management Plan to provide guidance for future trail administration. Please visit this website often for updates.

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.