The Old Spanish Trail has been designated as a national historic trail, because of its rich history and national significance. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the National Park Service are currently conducting a Comprehensive Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Once planning is completed, the two agencies will jointly administer the national historic trail, which is more than 2,700 miles in length and crosses New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and California.
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.
Our Mission With partners, we lead and coordinate planning, protection, development, and interpretation of our national historic trails and the Route 66 program for public use, appreciation, and benefit.