• Mission San Jose

    El Camino Real de los Tejas

    National Historic Trail TX,LA

Management

  • Established in 2004
  • 2,580 miles long (2013)
 

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).

The National Park Service administers El Camino Real de los Tejas in partnership with other federal, state, and local agencies; non-profit organizations; and private landowners. Participating national historic trail sites display the official trail logo.

Trail administration activities include:

Challenge Cost Share

Certification

National Trails System
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.

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

 

Our Mission
We collaborate with partners to provide leadership and coordination in the planning, protection, development, and interpretation of our national historic trails and Route 66 for public use and benefit.

Did You Know?

Daughters of the American Revolution granite marker sits on El Camino Real de los Tejas

Long before Spanish entradas (first explorations) into the American Southwest, American Indian trails crossed Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana. Some of these same routes provided access for later traders, soldiers, and immigrants following El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail.