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National Historic Trail · 6 states

Old Spanish National Historic Trail

National Historic Trail in 6 states. No entrance fee.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypeNational Historic Trail
StateArizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah
Entrance feeNo entrance fee
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkBryce Canyon (34 mi)
Closest airportPGA (38 mi)
crumbling adobe structure with blue sky
Santa Rosa de Lima de Abiquiú provided a way station for travelers along the Old Spanish Trail in the 1800s. It is privately owned by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Photo: NPS

Old Spanish National Historic Trail is a national historic trail run by the National Park Service in 6 states.

In the park service’s words

Follow the routes of mule pack trains across the Southwest on the Old Spanish National Historic Trail between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Los Angeles, California. New Mexican traders moved locally produced merchandise across what are now six states to exchange for mules and horses.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

  • Become an Old Spanish Trail Junior Ranger: Learn about the Old Spanish Trail and earn your junior ranger badge! This activity can be completed virtually or after visiting a site along the Old Spanish National Historic Trail. Worksheets can be submitted either electronically or by mail. Take a look and start exploring the trail today!

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Open 24 hours, every day. There are many places of history and commemoration on the Old Spanish National Historic Trail to visit. Museums, interpretive centers, and historic sites provide information and interpretation. Please contact each site before you go to obtain current information on closures, changes in hours, and fees.

Lodging

  • Exchange Hotel Site (La Fonda): William and Mary Dodson Donoho, who crossed the Santa Fe Trail from Missouri, operated an inn here known as Los Estados Unidos House in 1833-37. By 1847 it had become the Santa Fe House. By 1848 it was the U.S. Hotel, offering liquor and gaming. It became the Exchange Hotel in 1851. It is still oper

Getting there

You can visit many sites of the Old Spanish National Historic Trail over the 2,700-mile historic route that crosses 6 states.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Page Municipal Airport (PGA) Page, AZ 2 h 55 min (117 mi) 38 Regional
Cedar City Regional Airport (CDC) Cedar City, UT 1 h 15 min (60 mi) 69 Regional
St George Regional Airport (SGU) St George, UT 1 h 10 min (47 mi) 77 Regional
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) Las Vegas, NV 3 h 50 min (173 mi) 182 Large hub

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 Old Spanish 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: weather.gov

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 Bryce Canyon, about 34 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Old Spanish National Historic Trail?

No entrance fee.

Where is Old Spanish National Historic Trail?

In Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Page Municipal Airport, about 38 miles away.

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