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National Historic Trail · Texas and Louisiana

El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail

National Historic Trail in Texas and Louisiana. No entrance fee. 1 hikes listed.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypeNational Historic Trail
StateTexas, Louisiana
Entrance feeNo entrance fee
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkBig Bend (360 mi)
Closest airportAUS (21 mi)

El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail is a national historic trail run by the National Park Service in Texas and Louisiana.

In the park service’s words

Explore a diverse array of histories contained within El Camino Real de los Tejas’ 150-year life, including the Spanish struggle to missionize American Indian nations, the growth of cattle ranching in the Mexican period, and the movement for Texan independence and statehood.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

  • Goliad, Texas Area: El Camino Real de los Tejas NHT Places (1 to 100 Hours): Explore sites along the trail! Looking for places to visit near Goliad, Texas? These sites offer a variety of hikes, historic sites, museums, and other ways to take a step back in time on El Camino Real de los Tejas NHT.
  • Laredo, Texas Area: El Camino Real de los Tejas NHT Places (1 to 100 Hours): Explore sites along the trail! Looking for places to visit near Laredo, Texas? These sites offer a variety of hikes, historic sites, museums, and other ways to take a step back in time on El Camino Real de los Tejas NHT.
  • Texas - Louisiana Border Area: El Camino Real de los Tejas NHT Places (1 to 100 Hours): Explore sites along the trail! Looking for places to visit near the Texas and Louisiana border? These sites offer a variety of hikes, historic sites, museums, and other ways to take a step back in time on El Camino Real de los Tejas NHT.
  • Austin, Texas Area: El Camino Real de los Tejas NHT Places (1 to 100 Hours): Explore sites along the trail! Looking for places to visit near San Antonio, Texas? These sites offer a variety of hikes, historic sites, museums, and other ways to take a step back in time on El Camino Real de los Tejas NHT.
  • San Antonio, Texas Area: El Camino Real de los Tejas NHT Places (1 to 100 Hours): Explore sites along the trail! Looking for places to visit near San Antonio, Texas? These sites offer a variety of hikes, historic sites, museums, and other ways to take a step back in time on El Camino Real de los Tejas NHT.
  • Hike on El Camino Real de los Tejas: Travel through a diverse array of histories contained within El Camino Real de los Tejas’ 150-year life, including the Spanish struggle to missionize American Indian nations, the growth of cattle ranching in the Mexican period, and the movement for Texan independence and statehood. There are a variety of hiking opportu
  • Become a Camino Real de los Tejas Junior Ranger: Learn about the Trail and earn your junior ranger badge! This activity can be completed virtually or after visiting a site along the National Historic Trail. Activities can be submitted either electronically or by mail. Take a look and start exploring the trail today!
  • Check Out Museums and Visitor Centers along El Camino Real de los Tejas: There are a number of museums and visitor centers will differ along the El Camino Real de los Tejas. In some places, you may find more interpretive exhibits, information, and programs. In other places, being in the location will enrich your experience, even with minimal facilities. Visit one of these locations to learn

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Open 24 hours, every day. El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail is not a clearly marked hiking trail. Instead it is a route that passes through communities, urban areas, public lands, and Wilderness. The route travels across a variety of land ownerships and management, including private land. Each location varies as to the hours of operations and access. Please contact individual trail sites before your visit for more information.

Getting there

You can visit many sites of the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail over the 2,580-mile historic route that crosses 2 states, and travels into Mexico, to Mexico City.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Austin, TX No road route 21 Large hub
Easterwood Field (CLL) College Station, TX No road route 68 Regional
Killeen Regional Airport / Robert Gray Army Airfield (GRK) Fort Cavazos, TX No road route 73 Regional

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Weather

Due to the length of El Camino de los Tejas National Historic Trail, be sure to consult local weather sources for the region you'll be visiting. Check out the forecast with the National Weather Service and search for the area you'd like to visit.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Big Bend, about 360 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail?

No entrance fee.

Where is El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail?

In Texas, Louisiana. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Austin Bergstrom International Airport, about 21 miles away.

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